Every bride dreams of finding that perfect wedding dress, but for Jillian Lynch, the traditional bridal store wasn’t her first choice.
Instead, she turned to her favorite pastime, thrifting.
“Because I thrift all the time, it was just the option,” Jillian shared with Insider. “I never even considered going to a bridal shop.”
Jillian’s love story is unique.
She and her boyfriend had been together for 13 years, and while they always saw themselves as life partners, marriage wasn’t initially on the cards.
But as fate would have it, something shifted.
“I don’t know what changed, but about a year ago, we were like, ‘Let’s be husband and wife,’” she reminisced.
With their hearts set on an intimate celebration, the couple planned a cozy 30-person micro wedding at the Social House in Tempe, Arizona.
Surrounded by close friends and family, the venue was perfect.
But what about the dress?
Jillian knew she wanted something white, yet not overly formal.
“I just started looking for dresses, not wedding dresses, but simple white dresses. I didn’t want anything too formal,” she explained.
True to her thrifting spirit, Jillian began her dress hunt in second-hand shops.
And in just four days, she stumbled upon a gem: a pristine Camilla Coelho dress, complete with tags.
The elegant white slip dress, adorned with a bold slit and an asymmetrical neckline, was a sight to behold.
And the price tag? A mere $3.75.
For context, that very dress retails for $220 on Revolve. Excited about her find, Jillian took to TikTok to showcase her dress.
And the cherry on top? She found a pair of Visanze Collection wedding shoes at a thrift store for just $8.
Initially uncertain about wearing it for her big day, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from viewers sealed the deal.
“Brides tend to go wedding dress shopping with their mom, their bridal party, or a group of people to get feedback,” she reflected.
Sharing her journey on TikTok felt like having that supportive entourage.
To make the dress truly hers, Jillian opted for some alterations.
She had the waist cinched, the adjustable straps replaced with custom ones, and a touch of lace added to the slit.
These tweaks cost her $110, bringing her total dress expenditure to $113.75.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt that great in something,” Jillian gushed.
“That’s what brides should feel on their wedding day, like they’re at their peak beautiful self. That’s exactly how I felt when I put it on.”
And in true DIY spirit, Jillian even took charge of her hair and makeup, ensuring every detail was authentically her.
While she hadn’t spent her life dreaming of this day, Jillian found herself embracing and cherishing every moment, even the traditional ones.
She fondly remembered asking her father to walk her down the aisle, a gesture that meant the world to both of them.
“I could see how much it meant to him, and it actually ended up meaning a lot to me,” she said.
The wedding day was a testament to the couple’s love and their journey together.
It wasn’t about perfection but about celebrating love, togetherness, and the start of a new chapter.
“We rolled with everything,” Jillian said with a smile. “We were together, just having a fun day versus trying to make this planned event go well.”
And isn’t that what love is all about?
Get a glimpse of Jillian’s hunt for her wedding attire in the videos below!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
@jillianfarhadiso happy with all these finds 🤍♬ original sound – Jillian Farhadi
And the follow-up:
@jillianfarhadithe wedding is a week from today and i’ve had too much luck! 😬♬ original sound – Jillian Farhadi
