An Alabama woman who bought a $25 dress from Goodwill worth more than $6,000 is now engaged and knows exactly what she'll wear to her wedding.
Emmalee Osterhoudt, a nursing student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, visited a Goodwill store in Green Springs, Alabama, on Labor Day hoping to find picture frames for her apartment. In the half-display section, she found a stunning wedding dress in her size, and made a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
While doing some research later, she learned that the dress was from the designer Galia Lahav Its value is $6200. Lahav is a beloved brand worn by Beyoncé, Simone Biles, Paris Hilton, and Ronda Rousey. I participated Her excitement on TikTok In a video clip detailing the shocking discovery.
It was proposed at Buckingham Palace three years later
Nicholas Gold, Oosterhoudt's boyfriend of three years, proposed to her on Monday during a trip to Buckingham Palace, and she said yes.
She plans to wear the Lahav dress to her wedding, which she has planned since she made the $25 purchase.
“I've always been really interested in weddings and wedding dresses in fashion. The only thing I was worried about was that when it came time for me to get engaged, I was afraid I wouldn't find a dress that fit me.” I loved that, because my wedding budget wasn't going to be huge,” she told USA TODAY on Friday. “When I went to Goodwill and found that and absolutely loved it, it was very easy for me to make that decision.”
Osterhoudt said she plans to keep the dress forever because of its sentimental value.
Wedding collection for summer 2025
Oosterhoudt said a date has been set for the wedding: June 6, 2025.
Oosterhoudt, who will complete her nursing degree next summer, said she wanted to ensure enough time between her wedding and graduation. She also wanted to have enough time to plan the rest of her look.
“I hope my hair gets a little longer before then, but that's pretty much all I know,” Oosterhoudt said.
She added that things have calmed down since her video went viral on TikTok, which has since garnered more than 5 million views.
“I was so grateful for the love people showed in the comments section,” Oosterhoudt told USA TODAY in September. “Normally, when videos go viral, you get some bad comments, but mostly I received love.”
Contributing: Doc Lewallen
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