Chicago’s First: Pop-Up Bridal Consignment Market!

MEet The Founder of Alter Market, Amanda Chvatal

In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to highlight a great way to make your wedding dress more sustainable! Purchasing a gown on what’s called ‘consignment’, or a pre-worn and pre-loved wedding gown, is a great way to not only save money, but reduce the pollution and waste that comes with producing brand new garments. The upcoming Alter Market is Chicago’s first ever pop-up bridal consignment event, which sells wedding dresses from brides for brides. From true vintage gowns to nearly new dresses that range from $50-$5000, there are no limits on one’s age, size, style or price points, there is truly something for every bride! Ette is excited to be part of the first Chicago Alter Market this June, so we dropped in on founder, Amanda Chvatal to hear how she brought this idea to life and what you can expect to find at Alter Market.



1)    How did your dream of Alter Market become reality?

AManda Chvatal of Alter Market

I have always been drawn to wedding dresses and it has evolved over time. When I was a little girl I would cut out my favorite wedding dresses from magazines in my Mémère’s hair salon before I even knew what the bridal industry was. I went from magazine cutouts to an internship as a bridal consultant in college then to producing a bridal runway show. Bridal has been a constant love affair for me. At the end of 2018, right before Christmas time, I lost my father unexpectedly.  After that, I went through some other major unexpected life events that forced me to take the time and really decide what kind of life I wanted to live. So I sat down and literally wrote a list of my life experiences so far, how that has shaped me, things that I love, what I'm passionate about, what I'm good at and made the decision to start my own business from that list!

 2)    What do you love about weddings?

I love what a wedding represents. Bringing past, present, and future love together to celebrate; having the most influential and important people in your life gathered in one place to celebrate you and your partner making the commitment to love one another fully and forever. I think it’s so hopeful! 

3)    What’s your best tip for wedding dress shopping? 

Don’t get caught up in the "shoulds". I should cry in the dress if it’s truly the one. I should try on more dresses because I can’t fall in love with the very first one. I should try on a dress over my budget just in case. I should bring my 17 cousins because they invited me to try on dresses with them. Every bride’s journey is different, there is no perfect mold. Stay true to yourself, and enjoy the day, remember it’s supposed to be fun! Oh and don’t forget to schedule in time to eat! No one likes a hangry bride! 

4)    What’s one piece of advice you always give yourself that others can learn from? 

That you can’t choose what happens to you in your lifetime, but you can choose how to respond and where to focus your energy. A positive mindset can make the difference between being a victim of circumstance and living a life that you choose every day.  

When: June 14th 2020

Where: The Joinery in Logan Square

How Much:

$15 for Early Bird and General Admission

$10 for our Dude Daycare that gives husbands-to-be access to our speakeasy lounge to sip on Twisted Hippo and relax. 10% of our ticket proceeds will be going back to Chicago COVID-relief.

RSVP or Submit your dress to sell at thealtermarket.com

5)    How does an event like Alter fit into a sustainable wedding? 

We are taking one of the single largest and most important purchases in a bride's wedding and making it a sustainable one by giving new life to a dress that would otherwise sit in another bride’s closet. We are encouraging brides to recycle dresses after they are worn or purchased, and continue to let that dress live on through another bride's experience. Honestly, that cycle never has to end. It's up to all of us to keep it going. That is really at the core of Alter's mission.   

6)    Do you have any advice for couples trying to have a sustainable wedding?

We are in a day and age where "going green"  really is attainable for couples. So, do your research and decide what pieces of your wedding you’re able to accomplish in an eco-friendly way. From e-vites to second-hand or rentable attire, reusable florals or specific venues. The sky is really the limit on how eco-friendly you can be. Think outside the box. Remember, you can continue being green after your big day by donating or selling items second hand at events like The Alter Market to keep that green cycle going!  

two of the dresses that will be featured at Alter Market.

7)    What makes Alter Market different?  What are you most excited about? 

We have no limits. Our goal is to be an inclusive market for every bride whether you’re 17 or 70, size 2 or a size 24, whether you’re into vintage gowns or new off the rack dresses. Unlike most consignment businesses, we have no threshold on the age of gowns and we accept all designs, styles, and sizes. We want our brides that are consigning as well as our brides that are attending the market to feel represented and celebrated in the space. The beauty in this market is our brides dictate the inventory, so while we maintain the integrity of the inventory with condition requirements, we really allow our consignors to bring their personalities to the show, allowing any dress to be on the floor and that truly makes the market unique. We have gowns that are new with tags from 2020 and then we have vintage gowns from the ’50s, it is really special! I am most excited to celebrate being together as soon as we are able, I think we are all desperate for some positivity and togetherness at this point! I am excited for our small businesses to get the opportunity to shine and bring their product and personality to the show, to be able to pay it forward with some of our charitable donations and for our brides to finally get the chance to show off their dresses and have some fun!  

Consignor, Cindy holding up her wedding dress which will be among the dresses at the upcoming Alter Market.

Cindy on her wedding day in 1970.

8)    Lastly – this is a weird, uncertain time for everybody. What are three ways you are finding happiness and meaning in the new normal?  

Yoga- this is always a constant in my life, in stressful times, in exciting times, in “normal times”, yoga helps me stay grounded. My mind is always going a million miles per hour, so yoga is a tool I use to help me practice mindfulness, and to stay active!  Journaling- I have kept a one line a day journal for the last 7 years. I find one line a day is something that is attainable and something I can manage even on days when I’m not in the mood to write. I recently took it a step further and created an online journal. I felt that this event and period in time called for something a little more thorough to help process my feelings and I also wanted to be able to look back on and recall how these events may influence my direction and future. I turn to that outlet when the days are long and especially impactful to try to leave my feelings on the page rather than let them weigh heavy on my heart. Being outside as much as possible is important to me- I am someone who thrives in nature so trying to stay active on my bike, or roller blades (this renewed love was born out of quarantine creativity!) has helped me connect to something that feels familiar when everything else is constantly changing. 

About Amanda:

• My very first job, at age 14 was at a boutique called Teacups and Tiaras where I worked every other Saturday serving high tea to little old ladies in the red hat society! 

• My retail therapy is thrifting at goodwill, I love a good treasure hunt, my favorite things to sift through are books, clothes, and trinkets! I love having plants! Unfortunately, the feeling is not mutual.

• My mother, who is literally a master gardener is constantly having to save my plants from sudden death via Facetime “doctor visits”. I like to tell myself I love them too much, but I think the green thumb definitely skipped a generation.

One dress among the many that will be ready to purchase at the upcoming alter market.