When I first started thinking about what I would wear I decided that I would aim for $300-500. I knew that number was a little low for a wedding dress but it was important to me that I bought a used dress, or at least a sample. It's still more than I have ever paid for an article of clothing, or even an entire outfit, but it was a number I was comfortable with. Additionally, it's really important to my fiancee and I to make our wedding as environmentally responsible as we can. Not having a dress made just for me that I would wear on one occasion was one way I would contribute. I had already been introduced to preownedweddingdresses.com and then later bravobride.com. I was sure it was doable.
I told my mom and she wanted me to completely happy with my dress and thought I should consider going up to $1000 (which she would so generously cover). I was blown away. I also thought there was no way I was coming close to that, but it was nice to have a higher ceiling. I decided I could look at more expensive dresses and then find a used one later.
I thought it was a stellar plan and so we started shopping. But of course, things can never just go according to plan. I'm currently unsure about what to do and you know misery loves company. Have you hit any snags, especially in regards to dress shopping? Did you fix it or are you still stuck?
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Hi!
I didn't want an expensive dress either. I had planned a ceiling of maybe $500, and I wasn't even sure I wanted a real wedding dress anyway. I thought a fabulous tea length number in ivory would be fine, too.
Then a friend told me they had a huge wedding gown sale on the Target website. I checked, all the dresses were cute and simple (just what I like), and designed by Isaac Mizrahi. So I ordered one just for the sake of it, and, well, it stuck. It looked great, the fit wasn't perfect but my mom will arrange it for me. She's an amazing, professional seamstress and I asked her how much she thought I had paid: she said "at least $500-$600". It was $65. Even with shipping and the extra fabric we bought (including a sash), it will still be less than $150. So in the end I never even really shopped. Which I think is probably a good thing because I know it's surely tough not to second-guess yourself and be dragged into liking something that's out of budget...
There are some good deals to be had from non-wedding dress companies ( a la J crew and Ann Taylor, Target etc). But there are some less expensive wedding dress designers too. My dress is brand new, ordered to my specifications (neckline, depth of dip in back, hem height etc) for $600. (Actually, I think mine was 680 because I asked them to make a significant change in the neckline.) Check out Casablanca in person. My dress is great quality and it didn't break the bank, and I didn't have to find it used in my size. For under a grand, you aren't going to get a brand new Vera Wang - but if high end designer names aren't important to you, there are a lot of options within range of your budget.
Dude. I have *so* many posts about dress anxiety, so I wont replay them all here. But there was loads of second guessing my original choice. (BUT BUT, It need to be THE BEST DRESS I WILL EVERY WEAR) yikes. In the end I wore, and was happy to, the very first one I found. (Which happened to be a non wedding off the rack 300 dollar dress). It can be hard choosing a "practical" wedding dress; there are so many influences pushing you towards un practical [mom :)] but if you keep to your guns and remember why you are making the choices you are, I think you will be happy. and to know your not the only one, search dress on my blog, and meg [practical wedding] we have *all* been there! good luck!
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