Many brides spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on their all-important dress, but not Chiara Gallo, who has amazed social media users after finding her wedding reception dress in a thrift store for $7.99
Gallo was perusing the Goodwill store in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, when she came across the beaded white gown. She hadn't gone into the store looking for a dress, but Gallo told Newsweek that as soon as she spotted this dress by the brand Banjul, "It felt like it was meant to be."
While she believes the dress would usually retail anywhere between $130 and $300, Gallo managed to thrift it for an incredible $7.99. She knew straight away that she wanted to wear the dress for her wedding reception when she ties the knot in October 2025.
"My initial reaction when I spotted the dress was pure excitement," Gallo said. "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.
She continued: "I didn't go into Goodwill looking for a wedding reception dress, but the moment I held it up, I could picture myself dancing in it. It had just the right mix of elegance and personality—perfect for the celebration I envisioned."
Gallo, originally from Harlem, New York, waited until she got home to try the dress on, as she joked about the excitement she feels whenever she's waiting for a "big reveal moment." Although it fits perfectly in some places, it needs some adjustments and she plans to have it tailored before the big day.
"When I tried it on, it was like the dress and I had a little disagreement. It was the perfect fit on the lower half, but the chest, not so much. It was a bit snug, but with a few creative adjustments and some good tailoring we are going to make it work. It's all part of the charm of thrift finds, you never know what surprises you'll get," Gallo told Newsweek.
Despite the less-than-ideal fit, Gallo said she "felt absolutely radiant" in the dress and it brought her so much confidence. They often say that brides just know when they've found the right dress for them. That was exactly how Gallo felt with this thrifted treasure.
She shared a video of her $8 wedding reception dress on social media (@chiaramariegallo on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube) and it went viral online. In just a matter of days, the TikTok video has gained more than 4.3 million views and 421,600 likes. Many internet users were thrilled by her discovery and keen to find out how the dress looked, leading to over 395,600 views on the video showing Gallo trying the dress on.
Gallo certainly didn't expect her TikTok video to generate so much attention, but she loved showing the wonders that can be found in thrift stores. She hopes to inspire others to embrace sustainable, budget-friendly options which are filled with charm and character.
"Your dream day doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag, so don't let a limited budget hold you back from creating something beautiful," Gallo said. "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.
"I'm still on the lookout for more treasures in thrift stores. I recently scored a perfect purse, and now I'm on the hunt for the ideal pair of shoes to complete the look. Thrifting has been such a fun way to make my wedding uniquely my own," she continued.
The viral TikTok video has amassed over 1,000 comments at the time of writing, as many hailed Gallo's extraordinary find.
One comment reads: "Wow, even the beads themselves are worth more than that."
Another person wrote: "Never underestimate Goodwill! They have some great bargains! Happy Wedding!"
While another TikTok user joked: "The way my jaw dropped on the floor."
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