A Sale to Benefit Charity and Thrifty Brides-to-Be

Even in good economic times, brides are often looking for bargains.

Boston is the original site of the best-known and first blowout bridal sale at Filene’s Basement, which started in 1947. The sale is called the Running of the Brides because the event, which features designer dresses starting at about $250, inspires tugs of war for dresses and leaves frenetic brides-to-be with no time for dressing rooms stripping down in the aisles.