We’re thrilled to share that Once and Again Gowns was recently featured in Foster’s Daily Democrat, highlighting our mission, unique inventory, and dedication to making wedding gowns accessible and affordable.

Owner Leslye Dedopoulos opened Once and Again Gowns in April 2025 inside the historic Newmarket Mills at 55 Main St., Suite 226. Her vision? To provide beautiful, high-quality wedding dresses for a fraction of the traditional bridal shop price.

“No one should be spending thousands of dollars on a garment that they will wear once, and then box up to languish for decades in an attic or basement,” Leslye told Foster’s. “It’s not a good use of resources, nor is it sustainable for the planet.”

With most gowns priced between $100 and $895, averaging just $462, brides can save significantly compared to the $1,500–$2,500 average for new dresses. Leslye sources about 25% of her gowns new, with the rest being carefully curated secondhand pieces purchased from auctions across the country. Every gown is refurbished, cleaned, and restored so it’s ready for a new chapter.

This business was inspired in part by Leslye’s own personal transformation after losing 265 pounds following gastric bypass surgery in 2020. She began shopping at thrift stores for inexpensive, temporary clothing at each stage as weight continued to be shed. Some of these shops carried donated wedding gowns that caught her eye, sparking creativity and imagining a second life for these dresses. Her experience shifted her perspective on fashion, waste, and the myths surrounding the wedding industry. She’s determined to show brides that secondhand gowns can be just as stunning as new — without the steep cost or environmental impact.

As she told Foster’s:
“A wedding gown is just a dress — a fancy one, true, but nevertheless it’s just fabric. The mindset is changing, and today’s brides are more practical and less bound to outdated traditions.”

Read the full article on Foster’s here →Once and Again sells wedding dresses for hundreds, not thousands