Filene’s Basement will hold its annual “Running of the Brides” event Friday at the Mazza Gallerie in Friendship Heights. The one-day sale attracts hundreds of brides from the metro area looking for huge bargains. With all dresses priced under $700, many brides-to-be arrive hours before the 8 a.m. opening.
“It’s become a part of the wedding planning experience” for the bride and friends and relatives, said Pat Boudrot, who oversees each of the eight events held in different cities.
She’s witnessed teams of women camping out the night before in tents, wearing custom T-shirts with the bride’s name and the wedding details, and sporting helmets with veils attached.
While there have been some stories of fights breaking out over the dresses, many attendees bond by the end of the day, said Boudrot. Brides trade dresses and everyone cheers whensomeone finds the perfect one.
It’s a unique retail experience, and there’s probably nothing else in the world that is comparable, Boudrot said, because it’s such an “emotional purchase” for brides.
Based on the response she’s received so far, Boudrot expects the Washington event to be the largest ever for the Mazza Gallerie.
The store will be stocked with 1500 dresses, an expanded staff, and dress consultants from New York-based Catalina & Co., who provide will advice on styles and altering possibilities.
The dresses, chosen individually by a single buyer, either come from high-end designers or from manufacturers. They will begin arriving by the truckload at the store this afternoon, and staff will work through the night to move all the merchandise onto the floor.
