Dream wedding dress nearly lost in consignment
For brides, one of the biggest parts of a wedding is the dress.
“It was the first dress that I tried on,” said Stephanie Ogus, reminiscing about the day she found her dress.
After being divorced for 39 years, Ogus never expected to walk down the aisle again.
“And then all of a sudden, here comes Mr. Right," she said.
She stressed a little about her dream dress.
“It was fairly expensive, and I told my sister I just don't want to spend that much money,” Ogus said. “She said, ‘Sis, this is the last time you'll ever get married.”"
With the dress captured in pictures, Ogus decided to consign the gown and all the accessories that went with it. While at the Raleigh Fairgrounds Flea Market last June, she went to Twice Upon a Time Bridal and More, and met booth owner Patricia Atwell.
"She just took all the items and she just said she didn't think she'd have a problem whatsoever selling them,” Ogus said.
Atwell posted the items on the business Facebook page, listing everything for a total of about $840.
The consignment contract was about to end in September, but Ogus hadn't heard anything. She said she tried repeatedly to reach Atwell.
“I called constantly,” she said. “There would never be anybody answering the phone."
She also emailed and eventually heard from Atwell's daughter and partner, Whitney Adams.
Ogus said Adams apologized “and said she was out of town, that she'd get back with me when she got back into town and then we'd make arrangements to get my items."
That was October. When she didn't have her things by December, Ogus contacted 5 On Your Side.
After several phone calls, Adams delivered the dress and unsold accessories to Ogus's home.
Ogus is thrilled and relieved, telling us she's certain her items would not have been returned without WRAL's intervention.
Ogus said Adams would not discuss what happened but did offer a brief apology.
When asked about the delays, Atwell told 5 On Your Side that time just got away from them.
The company is no longer at the flea market.
