Running of the Brides

Hundreds of brides-to-be are expected at the legendary Running of the Brides® sale on May 20, all looking to snag the wedding gown of their dreams at a bargain price. At 8:00am the brides and their helpers will burst through the doors of Filene’s Basement in Columbus to wade through over 1300 gowns, sizes 2 to 26. So deep are the discounts, many customers will literally pounce on dresses priced from $249-$699 that might otherwise cost as much as $9,000. This year, Filene’s Basement is partnering with Slim-Fast® to help brides get the perfect fit in the perfect dress for the big day.


“We know looking for the perfect dress at a great price is a primary concern for many brides,” said Joel Feigenbaum, president and COO of Filene’s Basement and its parent company SYMS Clothing. “But we also know brides want to look their best on their big day and Slim-Fast® can help. Filene’s Basement and Slim-Fast® are a good match – we both want to help brides look picture perfect on their wedding day.”

The racks are stripped bare in less than 90 seconds as the brides and their teammates grab the first dresses they reach. Then it’s time for the women to strip down to leotards, sports bras or even underwear to try on gowns right there on the sales floor.

But what happens if a petite bride snagged a size 14 dress in pink chiffon when she really wanted a size 4 in white satin? That’s when the real fun begins, as the women barter to find the right dress. Some even display their own “trading” signs that specify the style and size they’re looking for. It’s a ritual that turns Filene’s Basement into an old-fashioned bazaar.

For brides who don’t like crowds there are plenty of great deals to be found later in the day when things calm down. Whether you get there at 8:00am for the ‘rush to the racks’ or plan to arrive later, bring a camera—veterans of this sale agree, it’s an experience worth preserving.

The Running of the Brides® sale takes place Friday, May 20 2011 at Filene’s Basement, 3704 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235. Checks, credit cards and cash are accepted. All sales are final. For more information call 614-932-1001 or visit http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides.