On Friday, August 4, 2006, Filene's Basement department store held their annual "Running of the Brides" at the Mazza Gallerie store in Washington, D.C. For those who are not familiar with this event, every year Filene's brings in hundreds (maybe thousands) of designer bridal gowns and opens its doors for a bridal free-for-all. The draw of the event is the possibility of scoring a $7000 Vera Wang gown for $600. The possibility of such a great find makes this a must-do event for many brides.
A typical "Running of the Brides" day begins the night before with brides staking out their place in line (to get the pick of the litter, of course). Some women assemble bridal "teams," which consist of girlfriends who are willing to kick, claw, and push to get their friend that prize Vera Wang gown. Once the doors open, the brides make a mad dash (hence the name "Running of the Brides"). The brides and their teams spread out around the store in search of any and all dresses that might be suitable. At such a competitive pace ("I must get that couture gown before she does!"), dressing rooms are eschewed in favor of the brides doffing their clothes right in the middle of the store to try on the dresses. Most women come prepared with a white sports bra or a white tank top, but other women (as I saw for myself) perused the dresses in nothing but their brassieres (please note that the store is open to other customers at this time and the dresses were right next to the men's department where men were shopping). The result of all this couture donning and doffing is a sea of taffeta, tulle, and silk tossed everywhere. Below is a picture of one of the aisles. The picture is from my Treo and was taken in bad lighting so it's not that great. I think it gives the gist though.
At the behest of my supervisor, I braved the "Running of the Brides," more for a story than a dress. I do a mea culpa at this point to admit that I did not show up for the 8 AM madness. I went after work (and after a much-need preparatory cocktail). By this point, things had died down a bit, but there were still many brides running around frantically searching for their couture steal (see above about woman in brassiere). I cruised the racks, Vera, Carolina, Levkoff -- they were all there. Although I did not find a dress for me, I can now officially say that I did the "Running of the Brides." My advice from this experience is if mayhem is how you envisioned bridal gown shopping, then this is the event for you. If not, then go and check it out for fun. Who knows? You might just find the $7000 Vera Wang gown you've been dreaming of.
