Next to the Oklahoma land rush of 1889, there are few consumer feeding frenzies quite like the storied Bridal Gown Events held by Filene's Basement store. Started in the late 1940s, the twice-yearly one-day sales by the Boston-based retailer still attract thousands of budget-minded brides-to-be looking to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on designer wedding gowns.

For information about the next sale at the Boston store call 617-348-7848. As always, all sales are final.

Over the years, a certain no-holds-barred anarchy has evolved around the Filene's bridal sales, with brides and their helpers lining up well before the store opens for business (some actually pull overnighters in sleeping bags). When the doors open at 8 a.m., the sprint begins. In minutes the racks are stripped bare as women grab whatever gowns they can, haul them off to a corner, strip down to their underwear (or a less revealing subgarment) and start trying on dresses. Then the horsetrading begins. Every dress, no matter what size, style or color, gets bartered for another, as each bride tries to find the gown of her dreams at a cut-rate price.

Prior to the annual sale, each basement store is stocked with between 1,300 and 2,500 designer gowns to be sold at fixed prices -- $249, $499 or $699. According to the Filene's website, the retailer has an agreement with vendors that restricts them from advertising specific brands. But Filene's stresses that designers and brands are the same ones featured in all the big bridal magazines, some acquired directly from manufacturers and others from salons and boutiques.

Size matters

As a matter of principle, Filene's does not organize its gowns by size - primarily to discourage the first wave of shoppers from cleaning out entire racks of common sizes. That's what helps make this unique event such a crapshoot - and so much fun. You might chance upon a spectacular design in the wrong size, or a lackluster gown that fits perfectly. Or, if really lucky, you might find the gown of your dreams at a price to die for.

Understandably, some brides-to-be are less than enthused about the prospect of hand-to-hand combat. Not a problem. Although the racks are usually cleared within minutes of the store opening by shoppers grabbing as many dresses as then can possibly hold, a quick appraisal of their holdings reveals those with unworkable styles or sizes. And by 10 a.m., most of those gowns have been returned to the racks.

(By the way, don't be intimidated by the number of shoppers - typically one in four are prospective brides and the rest helpers. These helpers assist in grabbing gowns off the racks, making trades with other parties, helping with the fittings, and guarding the prospective keepers from prowlers. According to Filene's, there may be 800 people in line but only 250 of them are brides-to-be and there can be up to 2,500 gowns for sale.)

Helpful advice

Those who have been through the Filene's gauntlet say you can improve your prospects for success by doing some advance research, either in magazines or online, to determine personal style preferences. Share this information with your helpers - including photos if possible. And don't forget that most bridal gowns run small; a seamstress usually can alter a gown that is too large, but can't do much with gowns that are too snug.

How you dress is also important. Wear comfortable shoes and a bodysuit or bathing suit under a sweatsuit. Since no one will be waiting for an open dressing room, you'll almost certainly have to try on wedding dresses in the midst of the chaos.

Bring along a small mirror, as competitions for the store's full-length mirrors will be fierce. A hand-held mirror will be limited, but at least will give a sense of whether the neckline is flattering and help you decide whether to hold onto a dress or pass it along.

Finally, don't be afraid to try on a dress that isn't exactly what you had in mind. You may be surprised once you see the gown on you instead of on a hanger.