Meurice was back at Filene’s Basement for this year’s Running of the Brides event in Union Square on Friday, and as always we had a great time at the event. Where else can you find so many eager brides lining up to score their dream wedding gown (at a fraction of the original retail price!)?

Just as in years past, brides were lined up around the block long before the doors opened. Some teams of brides and family and friends had been camped out at the store since 4 am!

Brides lined up around the block to score their dream dress.

The line stretched around the corner down University Place

As soon as the doors were opened, brides came charging onto the floor, intent on snapping up as many of the gowns as possible. A nice touch at this year’s event was the runner’s banner they stretched across the front doors. The first bride to enter tore down the barrier before bringing her gowns to Meurice’s table for a consultation.

The first ROTB bride of 2011 tearing down the runner's barrier

Before long, the racks were picked clean and brides had built piles of gowns to try on and barter. We caught a few snaps of some of the gown stacks nearby our event table. The fact that we had dressing mirrors available made us very popular with the frantic brides!

Brides racing to clean off the racks of gowns

Bridal teams stockpiling gowns to trade

As always, the race for the gowns was incredible. The shelves were picked clean in under 90 seconds.

The balloon was to help team members find the pile. This is the first bride in again

Before long, the brides were assessing their spoils and trying the dresses on. Because these are essentially sample sale dresses, most of the gowns needed a little work. This is where Meurice’s services came in – we were busy all day helping brides determine whether a gown could be cleaned, or altered to fit perfectly on the big day.

Wayne Edelman, the Clothes Dr himself, helping assess alterations

Even our seamstress, Roma, couldn't resist trying on a gown

The event was a great success, with hundreds of happy brides going home with deeply discounted gowns. It was certainly a change of pace for us at Meurice – we’re used to more deliberate alteration and cleaning consultations. The atmosphere at Filene’s was filled with contagious enthusiasm, and we’re already excited to return for next year’s Running of the Brides!

Highlight of the day - whenever a bride found just the dress she wanted!