I Do x Two

Budget-minded betrothed can shop deals at new DFW bridal garage sale

Dress up your wedding with deals.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Calling all Dallas-Fort Worth brides, both former and to-be: There's a massive local resale event for wedding decor and accessories taking place at the end of January. Fort Worth Botanic Garden's first-ever After I Do Bridal Garage Sale will do what countless Facebook groups try to, but in-person and more streamlined.

Newlyweds will bring their gently used decor — think centerpieces, candles, signage, linens, ceremony arches, backdrops, vases, and other props — on January 31 for engaged couples and wedding planners to browse and purchase second-hand.

There will be party atmosphere in Oak & Redbud Hall, with Fort Worth Botanic Garden providing concessions from Rock Springs (both alcoholic and non), a playlist and wedding slideshow, and raffles and giveaways.

Shopping is from 11 am-2 pm, with seller set-up happening 8:30-10:30 am and breakdown 2-3:30 pm. Sellers will be provided a table and two chairs for a $15 rental fee, but they must bring their own tablecloths, signage, and payment methods (cash, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Square, etc.).

While admission to the sale is free, attendees must still purchase General Admission into the Botanic Garden. The first 25 shoppers in line will receive free Garden admission valid January 31 only. Pre-registration to attend is optional, but encouraged.

If you'd like to sell your table numbers, faux florals, and all the Cricut-made buffet signs your cousin made, there's still time to sign up. The deadline to register and pay your rental fee is January 25, and you can do so here.

The only things sellers are not allowed to peddle at the event are food and drink, sparklers or other pyrotechnics, and wedding gowns/party dresses. However, bridal party robes and bachelorette accessories are fair game, so bring a shopping bag and get ready to score beautiful items at budget-friendly prices.

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Prom Closet

Biggest prom dress drive in DFW begins collecting donations for 2026

Photo courtesy of Prom Closet

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The 17th annual St. Andrew Prom Closet at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano will invite teens to "shop" for their dream dresses in February. But first they need those dresses.

Organizers have begun accepting donations of formal dresses (sizes 0-30), jewelry, shoes, handbags, and wraps. They'd like to offer thousands of dress options for teens to take home at no cost.

“We’re calling on our community to help make prom dreams come true by donating dresses and accessories,” says Kathy Moore, organizer of the event, in a release. “Start the New Year by cleaning out your closet and bringing us your gently used dresses, shoes, jewelry, and handbags."

New items can also be purchased through their Amazon Shopping Link.

"Each year, we rely on the generosity of individuals, local groups, and businesses to make every girl’s experience truly magical,” she says.

Items should be cleaned and "like new" (as if they were being taken to a picky resale store).

They may be dropped off at St. Andrew, 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., Plano, just inside the church’s north entry doors, on a designated dress rack. Drop-off hours are 8:30 am-8:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 9 am-12 noon Saturday.

Prom Closet 2025 Prom Closet is set up like a boutique, with thousands of gowns and accessories. Photo courtesy of Prom Closet

Volunteers needed
In addition to needing donations, organizers also need hundreds of volunteers to help run Prom Closet, from check-in and check-out, to personal shoppers, dressing room assistants, and set-up and tear-down crew members. Volunteers must be adults and must complete a background check. Sign up here beginning January 26.

A service of the Women of St. Andrew Methodist Church, Prom Closet allows teens the chance to "shop for" free dresses, shoes, and accessories in a boutique-style setting, complete with a (volunteer) personal shopper.

The event has grown from assisting 35 teen girls when it started in 2009 to 1,323 girls from 322 schools and 110 school districts last year. The girls come from all over Texas and as far away as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, and exchange students from France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Shopping details
The 2026 shopping event will take place February 24-28 and March 2-5 & 7 at St. Andrew Methodist Church.

It is open to any high school girl from anywhere, no questions asked, but shoppers must register online beginning January 26 to book an appointment. There are 40 shopping slots per each 90-minute time frame. A few rules:

Shopping is by appointment only.
Each student must be present to shop for her own dress and accessories.
Each shopper is allowed to bring along just one guest, age 16 or older.

"For the St. Andrew Methodist Women, the Prom Closet truly is a year-round labor of love,” says the Rev. Arthur Jones, senior pastor of St. Andrew. “What began as a small outreach has grown into a remarkable ministry that blesses more than 1,300 young women and their families each year. The dedication of these women — and the many volunteers who join them — goes far beyond organizing dresses. They create an environment where every girl feels loved, valued, and beautiful."

Visit the event's website, call the Prom Closet informational hotline at 469-385-1810, or email standrewpromcloset@gmail.com for more information about donations, volunteering, shopping, and more.

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Prom Closet

Biggest prom dress drive in DFW begins collecting donations for 2026