Brides go wild for cheap gowns

The earliest arrivals were at the Hynes Convention Center last night at 5 p.m., willing to wait 13 hours to secure top spots in Filene's annual Basement Bridal Gown Sale. This morning, when the doors opened, the line stretched around the convention center.

A pair of bridesmaids were all smiles at the Running of the Brides. (Photo by Glenn Yoder / Boston.com Staff)

It's known as the "Running of the Brides" but that leaves out the sprinting to the racks, the hurdling over misplaced hangers, and the tossing of discarded dresses as brides-to-be chant, "Need a size 6 or 8" like amateur auctioneers. Some designer gowns were reduced by as much as $3,500, and bridal brigades traveled from places like the Bahamas or Montreal in search of a deal.

It's survival of the fittest here, with strategies planned out in excruciating detail. Matching team hats tower over the racks to make it easier to spot comrades. Grabbing as many dresses off the rack leaves more to barter with later. Filene's Basement has seen attendance boosted by as much as 54% at some satellite sales in cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C.

"Some of the increase is because of the economy, and people are trying to save money however they can," said Filene's Basement public relations spokesperson Pat Boudrot, before chasing after a rogue bride trying to steal a clothes rack.
(By Erich Schwartzel, Globe staff)