A four hour drive from DC to look at new, designer dresses for up to $500 AND I get to support a…read moregreat program (the YWCA)...you don't have to ask me twice! Church Street Bridal is located on the second floor of the YWCA. Upon entering the room, I was quickly greeted by a sales associate who explained the layout of the room and told me what sizes to look for. After that, I was left alone to browse through the numerous amounts of wedding dresses that were donated by designers and boutiques! Dresses ranged from $200-$500. On the mezzanine level of the second floor you'll find a smaller selection (maybe about 4 racks) of dresses that were discounted. The manager explained that dresses they aren't able to sell get transferred to this area. I was amazed no one wanted a lot of these dresses! Dresses in this area were less than $200. On the lower level of the YWCA was Church Street Bridal Too, which housed formal and bridesmaid dresses. The selection down here wasn't nearly as large as the wedding dresses, but there will still an impressive selection to choose from. Dresses in this area cost up to $150. After swiping through tons of wedding dresses, I eyed a dress that was put on the hold area. It was exactly what i was looking for, so I asked if it was spoken for. Luckily for me, the bride to be who had it on hold found another dress just moments ago. Score! I went to the back area to try it out, came outside to check it out in the mirror, and knew that this was THE dress! After trying on several dresses, I found THE one I see myself walking down the aisle in. Hooray! =) Even better, it only cost me $315 (with tax). I also scored a formal dress to wear to a wedding for $42 (with tax). Double hooray! Support a great cause and check out Church Street Bridal...I'm definitely a fan! Great selection of dresses to choose from and helpful sales associates who help you get into your gown/offer up some helpful advice. BTW-I went on a Saturday afternoon and there were a good amount of brides to be here. You might have to wait for a dressing room, or share one if you don't mind doing that. Worth the wait though! BTW2-Cash or Visa/Mastercard only.

I didn't think I could get so hyped up about a dress before but when a staff member here looks you…read morestraight in the eye and asks "Are you saying YES to to the dress?" and you scream a line of expletives with the word "Yes", then you know you are having a best dress shopping experience of your life. I wanted an affordable dress, but I still had some criteria for the dress to be unique and you know drop dead gorgeous. In my search for said dress, I've had some adventures. I ordered a $100 dress off Amazon, which had great reviews (even though people didn't use punctuation and basic grammar I still trusted them) and pics. As a result I ended up being stuck inside a giant tube of peach tulle (they said it was "champagne")and lace while trying it on like a raccoon stuck inside a trash can wondering which way was up (lesson of the day: step into the dress). Of course I had to show the dress off cause it was so heinous, and got the response that I looked like Donna Martin at prom on 90210. Not the look I was going for. I had heard about Church Street Bridal from three friends that had purchased their dresses there, so I figured it was worth it to trek the four hours from DC to Lynchburg, as a bonus I bookmarked all the breweries and cideries on the way so the day was not a total loss. We pulled up to the YWCA where the bridal shop is located in the basement, made sure to wash our hands since we were pounding hot Cheetos in the car and didn't want to leave orange fingerprints, and when we walked in we were greeted with a hug from the loveliest manager ever, asked some details about the plans for the big day, and then they lead you to a rack of your size. Just a note bridal sizing is four sizer larger than your regular size. The shop itself is newly remodeled and looks like the bridal boutique on TV shows. Large mirrors with pedestals, couches for people to sit on and wait, and dressing rooms. The dresses were all new, donation samples from wedding dress shops from all over, but there claim to fame is having Kleinfeld dresses and I saw and tried on a few at deeply discounted prices (we are talking about $2000 dresses in the $200-$300 range). I initially tried on five dresses. Some were cute, some were interesting nightgowns on me, but all needed some kind of work or modifications, so it was hard to picture how they would look after alterations. Understand that wedding dresses are designed for women that stand 5'10", and and I standing were with arm straps that reach my ears trying to picture the bodice not at my chin. So I walk out, ready to go, and find one dress hanging by itself on a rack of a larger size. Initially I wasn't too crazy about it, it was heavy in my arms but the fabric design was incredible. I tried it on, and as I was being corseted in by staff, my friend said my face lit up. That was the dress. While I was hesitant to leave the dressing room before, I pranced the he$& out of there and stood before on a pedestal before the mirrors and just twirled like I was Gone with the Wind fabulous. Then I tried on a few veils and I said Yes to the dress, someone rang a cowbell out of nowhere, hugged the staff, and let them say bye to the dress (a few had gotten attached to it, when it arrived last week). Checking out was easy, they leave the dress in the clear garment bag and let your friend carry it for you (brides should be spoiled apparently). For those of you going dress shopping I highly recommend this shop, well worth the road trip. Check out their Facebook before you go to see recent deliveries, and since Church street is under construction their Facebook gives parking directions. It was the best experience ever, and I loved knowing that my purchase was going to charity (YWCA). If you excuse me now, I have an Amazon return to make!