A new bridal boutique has opened in Dallas with a mission to reduce wedding expenses while simultaneously supporting charitable causes.
Brides for a Cause offers donated wedding dresses at discounts ranging from approximately 30 to 70 percent off standard retail prices.
“About 70 to 80% are donated by other designers and boutiques,” said Brides for a Cause Founder Erin Scharf. “There are some in perfect condition.”
Alexcia Eackels visited the store on Friday, acutely aware of her limited time before her upcoming nuptials.
“So, we’re getting married on December 6th, and it’s so close, and I feel overwhelmed and nervous,” she said.
Having searched extensively for the ideal wedding dress, Eackels found that locating one within her financial means proved to be a considerable challenge.
“I was scared,” she said. “I was scared. I was like, maybe I cannot afford this.”
After recently discovering Brides for a Cause , a nonprofit bridal boutique that has just opened in Dallas’ Design District , she visited on Friday and found precisely what she had been looking for.
“When I saw the prices, I was like, ‘Whoa!'” she said. “That dress was $200!”
Helping brides achieve significant savings, however, represents only one aspect of the organization’s broader mission. Proceeds from their sales are directed toward nonprofits dedicated to women’s causes.
“Last year, we donated $1 million to 67 nonprofits, which is amazing,” Scharf said.
“If I can do something to help somebody else while helping myself, then why not?” Eackels said. “A win is a win is a win!”
