Bride gets married in £2 dress as urgent request made to others
For most couple's special days, the average price of a wedding dress is over £1,500. But one savvy bride was able to feel a million dollars in a frock that cost just £2.
Gina and Jacob Dodds tied the knot on August 12 in a ceremony that was most certainly thrifty, asking guests to save the planet by donating to charity and wearing pre-loved clothes.
The musical couple, from Hoole in Chester, said "I do" at the city's Storyhouse arts and cultural centre, sharing loving photos of them together and with their very special guests.
But both Gina's dress and ring had been purchased with keeping lower costs in mind, and were bought from the Hope House Children's Hospice outlet to raise money for worthy causes.
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Gina, who said she 'felt amazing' in her traditional white dress, said someone donating it along with her chosen ring created 'wonderful memories'.
She explained: “I’ve been thrifty shopping for many years now through trying to be more sustainable.
“I like to have unique pieces and love the fact the money goes to a good cause. Jacob and I have been together for 11 years and I wasn’t sure if we’d ever get married.
“He knows I love thrifting and if we were to marry then I’d want a ring from a charity shop. He spotted one in Hope House and it is a beautiful ring.
"To think that some kind person has donated that ring. Not only have they helped you, but they have made a wonderful memory for us.”
"I couldn't believe it"
After Jacob’s surprise proposal, Gina said she was keeping an eye out for a wedding dress, before seeing the dress in a charity shop window when walking home from work.
She said: “I’d finished work one day and was walking through town. I passed the Hope House pop-up shop which was there whilst the main store was being revamped.
“I couldn’t believe it. They were getting ready to open the new store and were doing anything for £2.
“I saw the dress, but I couldn’t try it on. I got it home and it fitted me perfectly.
“Whilst I was there, I asked if they had any more wedding dresses in the back and I bought even more so we could have a wedding themed hen do.
“I wanted to make it more personal so had my friend, Grace Patton modify it a touch for me.
“I asked all the guests to buy their outfits from a charity shop and keep the receipts so we can see how much we donated collectively. The response was so positive and people who don’t normally shop thrifty said they were inspired."
Simple request made to others
Gina and new husband Jacob are no strangers to the thrifting scene, and both regularly visit Chester's charity shops. Money raised from sales at Hope House goes to hospice care for hundreds of children and their families in Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales.
Following their wedding day, Alex Cox of the Hope House Tŷ Gobaith branch, issued a request to others. She told ITV, that shoppers should consider charity shops to keep funding vital work.
"Always come in, you'll find something," she said. "You might not find exactly what you're looking for but if you try it on, style it up. It's always worth checking out a charity shop."
As store manager Nia Davies added: "This is such a beautiful story and one we are very proud to be part of. Gina is one of our lovely regular customers who has been shopping with us for a while.
“It really does go to show that shopping sustainably can unearth some real treasure, as well as supporting a great cause."
James Holt