Jillian Lynch’s journey to her dream wedding dress is a tale that breaks the mold of traditional bridal shopping.
Instead of stepping into a bridal boutique, she embraced her passion for thrifting, a decision that led her to an extraordinary find.
“Because I thrift all the time, it was just the option,” Jillian shared with Insider.
“I never even considered going to a bridal shop.”
Her love story with her boyfriend, spanning 13 years, is just as unique.
They always viewed themselves as life partners, but marriage wasn’t a priority until a sudden change of heart.
“I don’t know what changed, but about a year ago, we were like, ‘Let’s be husband and wife,’” Jillian reminisced.
This shift set the stage for an intimate 30-person micro wedding at the Social House in Tempe, Arizona, surrounded by their nearest and dearest.
When it came to her wedding dress, Jillian knew she wanted something simple and white, but not too 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 ethos, she embarked on a dress hunt in second-hand shops and, within four days, struck gold.
She found a pristine Camilla Coelho dress, complete with tags, featuring a bold slit and an asymmetrical neckline.
The most astonishing part?
The dress cost just $3.75, a stark contrast to its $220 retail price on Revolve.
Jillian’s excitement was palpable as she shared her find on TikTok, where she also showcased a pair of Visanze Collection wedding shoes, snagged for only $8 at a thrift store.
Initially unsure about wearing the dress for her wedding, the positive feedback from her TikTok viewers convinced her.
“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 personalize the dress, Jillian opted for some alterations.
She had the waist cinched, the adjustable straps replaced with custom ones, and added a touch of lace to the slit.
These modifications cost $110, bringing her total dress expenditure to a modest $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.”
In true DIY spirit, Jillian also took charge of her hair and makeup, ensuring every detail reflected her personality.
While she hadn’t spent her life dreaming of this day, she found herself fully embracing and cherishing every moment, including traditional aspects like asking her father to walk her down the aisle.
“I could see how much it meant to him, and it actually ended up meaning a lot to me,” she said.
Jillian’s wedding day was a celebration of love, togetherness, and the start of a new chapter.
It wasn’t about perfection but about enjoying the moment.
“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.”
This story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments come from the most unexpected places.
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
