WEDDINGS are expensive affairs, and one costly item is the dress. Buying secondhand on eBay is an option for brides on a budget, but you never really know what you are getting or whether it will fit you.

Step in Laura Murray, who, two years ago, set up Bride Bay Shop, where brides can sell their dresses and accessories to brides who are planning theirs and where you can hire wedding items at bargain prices.

Now she’s planning an event – The Wedding Booty – later this month, a kind of table-top sale where bridesto- be can pick up a bargain.

“Although we’ve had lots of wedding fairs, this is the first sale of its kind in the Yorkshire area where brides are selling to bridesto- be,” says the 24-year-old.

More and more people are searching for bargains online, through Facebook or on sites such as eBay and Gumtree, but Laura feels the photos often don’t do the goods justice. “They don’t always show how beautiful the items are.

At the Wedding Booty you will also have the opportunity to try dresses and accessories on, so you will know if they are exactly what you are looking for. There’s a dressing room to try everything on,” she says.

Laura has experience in the bridal business; she previously worked in hotels as a wedding co-ordinator and then set up her own affordable venue decorating business. “While doing this I often got asked by women what on earth they could do with the ten vases, four bridesmaids’ dresses and the expensive wedding dress after the big day so originally I set up a wedding selling group on Facebook,” she says. “One day, at a wedding fayre, the idea came to me to do it a bit differently and have an event where brides could sell their old items and help brides-to-be on a budget achieve their dream day.”

Items are already coming in from brides who have got married and have a room, garage or attic full of unwanted things. Those wishing to sell something need to book a table (£10) or book to sell a dress (£5).

The Wedding Booty is at the Crown Hotel Harrogate on Sunday, September 28, from 11am to 2pm and Laura already has more than 60 dresses for the event. She may even be tempted to take one home herself. “I am planning on getting married end of summer next year, so you never know,” she says. “I will definitely be on the lookout for some bargains.”

  • The Wedding Booty: £1 admission, goody bags for first 50 through the door. Email info@ theweddingbooty.co.uk or call 07849-559572
  • Facebook – check out Wedding Items for Sale Harrogate Leeds York