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What type of dress are you looking for? Vows in Newton sells samples of couture wedding dresses--so if you are the right size you might get a great deal. Filene's Basement is having their annual running of the brides at Hynes Convention Center in Feb this year.
I've heard that L'Elite on Newbury St has some reasonably priced dresses too, but I've not been there so can't vouch for it. And there's David's which is definitely worth a look.
Alternatively, I have a Watters dress that I got on a whim, and likely won't wear it. It is style 7086B, http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=415 and I'd be asking for $600. Let me know if you're at all interested! You can reach me at lmfalardeau@yahoo.com
Good Luck!!
If you want something relatively simple I would recommend Bridesmaid Galleria on Rte 1 in Peabody. You can get almost any of the bridesmaids dresses in white (not sure who would choose white bridesmaids dresses), and they have a lot of options that look like classic wedding dresses. I went with a friend and she found something she LOVED for $175. The only downside is that you have to try it on in whatever color they have (the one she liked was black), so you have to imagine it in white. I definitely think it is worth checking out. The other option is Vows in Newton - they sell high end samples, etc at a discount. You can get good deals, but most of them are still in the $1000 to $2000 range. They do have a $500 rack, so you might get lucky.
Good luck!
Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth, NH has some great dresses for great prices (when you go in you can check off boxes for your price range so you don't have to see anything outside of your budget, and they have great customer service! Ask for Natalie). I would also try Marry & Tux in Nashua, NH (my FSIL got her dress there for $600) and definitely Vows in Newton, MA, which has many discounted designer dresses (website is www.bridepower.com). Good luck!
I second Vows, if you're the right size, though I really wouldn't call most of their gowns "cheap." A lot of them were over $1500, which was over my budget, especially considering they'd have to be cleaned and altered.
I found my dress at the Wishing Well, which is in Rhode Island, just off the Massachusetts border. www.wishingwell.com. They had a great selection of gowns, and the ladies there were really nice. Good prices too, I got my gown for a good $200 less than another store was quoting me.
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I definitely recommend the Filene's Basement Running of the Brides that misschickie mentioned. It's on Feb. 22 at the Hynes convention center. I will be there, so if you want to meet up, just let me know!!
Alternatively, I went to L'Elite last weekend, and I was very disappointed -- both in selection and in price. The one dress that I did like was an Amsale $5000 dress, which is a bit over my price range.
I, too, have heard good things about Vows, but I haven't been there yet.
Thanks so much for your help everyone! I think I may even try various department stores - I'm looking for a very casual destination type dress. We're getting married at an inn in NH, so definitely nothing too formal. The bridesmaid dress idea is a great one too. I think I'm far too wimpy for the running of the brides!!!
Over The Rainbow on Route 1A in Wenham has an amazing selection of 2nd hand gowns, some of them were NEVER worn for $100s and $1000s less than the original price.
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I went to David's Bridal in Dedham, MA. They often give $50 off the top- or it you attend any bridal shows, they often give out coupons (for wedding gowns and BM dresses).
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You should definitely do the running of the brides. I did it back in August and it was so much fun. As an added bonus I got a beautiful dress for $250. I wouldn’t go when it first starts, go at around 10am. By then all the crazy brides have calmed down and 90% of the dresses are back on the racks so it’s easy to search for the size/color/style that you want. If you think about it, there are only a few hundred brides who go and there are thousands of dresses (and there are dresses in every size, so don't worry about that either). It’s so worth it.
I would suggest Nordstrom or Bloomingdales online as both have evening gowns that come in white. Ann Taylor had a wedding dress that is simple, silk, strapless with buttons down the back on sale for $199 right now. J. Crew also has some not so formal wedding dresses which go on sale from time to time for about $200. Check sale sections on Department store websites, most accept an instore return if you decide against the dress after you recieve it. Also, don't forget about David's Bridal, I naver expected to buy a dress there but got lucky during one of their many sales and got my dress off the $199 rack. Good luck.
From a local perspecitve, you may want to try Wrentham Village outlets in Wrentham, MA. There are several stores that sell evening gowns and you may just find something in white. I would suggest BCBG, Off Saks, White House Black Market, etc.
I got mine at Modern Bride in Bedford, NH: http://www.modernbrideshop.com They were great, very low-pressure, the bustle and press was included and they held the dress until I was ready. It's too bad I didn't see this earlier - they have an AMAZING Black Friday sale!
Plus, buying in NH means you get to skip out on sales tax - 5% on a wedding dress can really add up!
Btw Everyone, I just read on WWD (Women's Wear Daily) that Saks is closing ALL of it's Bridal Salons nationwide except New York and Los Angeles. Sounds to me like an opportunity to bargain with them.
I lobby for NH since it is tax free. I bought my dress at Madelines Daughter in Portsmouth. They have dresses ranging from 700 - 5000. I don't know if they have the "high end" designer dresses, because I was not looking for one. They do have plenty of middle range designers. I bought a Marisa there.
It is an awesome experience going there (rather than to Vows, which I also went to) because you are assigned an attendant and they bring you dresses. You need to make an appointment though.
Remember that Massachusetts has a Tax Free Day once a year! If you pay your balance to your Vendors on that day, your Sales Tax is forgiven....
Check the State's Website to find out when it is.
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Does anyone know of any cheap wedding gown stores in the Boston/NH area? I'm really looking to find a dress on the inexpensive side and I'm having trouble. Help!