Bride Finds Dream Wedding Reception Dress at Goodwill for $7.99 — 'It Felt Like It Was Meant to Be'
"I couldn't believe such a beautiful piece was just sitting there, waiting for me," the Nashville resident said
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Person buttoning up wedding dress (stock image)A bride found her dream wedding reception dress … for a mere $7.99!
Chiara Gallo was shopping the aisles of her local Goodwill store in Nashville when she came upon an unexpected find: A sheer white beaded Banjul dress — which she tells Newsweek she believes would typically retail between $100-$300.
"It felt like it was meant to be,” she told the outlet, noting that she wasn’t even at the store to find a wedding dress that day.
"My initial reaction when I spotted the dress was pure excitement," Gallo continued. "I couldn't believe such a beautiful piece was just sitting there, waiting for me. I immediately pictured myself wearing it at the reception, and I knew it would add a special touch to the day.”
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Wedding dress (stock image)Gallo, who, according to her social media accounts, is a digital content creator, initially posted about the find to her TikTok on Friday, Dec. 20, writing, “Went to goodwill and just got my wedding reception dress $7.99.” As of Monday, Dec. 30, the post has received 4.3 million views.
She posted a follow-up video to the now-viral clip on Saturday, Dec. 21, featuring herself trying the dress on at home and revealing that she will be getting a portion of it tailored.
“Okay guys, so this is how the dress looks,” she says in the video's voiceover. “I’m bigger chested, so I’m getting it tailored to fit my chest, but the beading is amazing. It fits like a glove on the bottom … And I’m absolutely in love with it.”
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Gallo, who tells Newsweek she will be getting married in October 2025, is posting the videos as part of her “Wedding on a Budget Series,” in which she takes followers through her wedding planning journey, sharing her cost-cutting strategies along the way.
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Wedding dress (stock image)“I’m gonna take you guys through my whole wedding planning [process] and how I’m budgeting everything,” she shared in one of her videos, before taking viewers through a recent thrifting trip for bridal shoes and clutches.
Related: Ohio Bride's $3.75 Thrifted Wedding Dress Goes Viral on TikTok
In another video, the vlogger shared her top pick for wedding-day nails on a budget: The Kiss-brand Classy line.
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Gallo told Newsweek that while she didn’t expect her recent video to go viral, she hopes it helps other brides-to-be realize that there are definitely ways to make their special day more affordable.
"Your dream day doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag,” she told the outlet, adding, “So don't let a limited budget hold you back from creating something beautiful. Be creative, think outside the box, and definitely check out your local thrift shops. You can make your day as special as you imagine without breaking the bank.”
Commenters on TikTok were in resounding agreement with Gallo’s take.
“Oh this is definitely A FIND,” one person wrote on the initial dress video. Another added, “People hate on goodwill but you can find some good stuff at great prices. It’s a scavenger hunt and I’m all for it.”
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