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You can wait to buy a dress but you'll have to go to store where you can buy off-the rack. I'm not sure how easy it is to by a dress of the rack, though. Alterations, if not too crazy, can be done rush (for a fee) and could be done in a week if need be.
Yea alterations shouldnt be a problem. Its actually finding a dress that you can buy right away. I hope that you find it though. Good luck and congratulations.
You can probably cram 5-6 store visits into one weekend, but it does get overwhelming. I'd make a list of stores in your area in advance, look at their websites or contact them and focus on the ones who have a good selection of samples you can buy off the rack. Most samples are a size 10 so this works best if you're a size 6-10. There are also places like Glamour Closet who only sell designer dresses from past seasons at heavily discounted prices. Another option is to look at sites like preownedweddingdresses.com and oncewed.com, these have store samples as well as used dresses or dresses that someone bought but never wore.
I'd just do the alterations where you live, closer to the wedding. No need to pay a rush fee here.
Congratulations on your engagment!
Thanks for the help! But a quick question...what do you mean by buying off-the-rack? Aren't all dresses in a store available to purchase?
usually they only carry one dress in each style in a bridal size 8 or 10, then you order the dress you like to be made from scratch especially for you. SOme stores will allow you to purchase the sample, and that way you don't have to wait for it to come in.
Like peanutlovespumpkin mentioned, what's in the store is usually just a sample to try on so you can order for your size, color etc. Custom orders take 3-9 months in the US as well so this won't be an option for you if you wait till end of Jan. Some stores will let you buy the store sample, but not all of them, and usually not any of the most popular styles or latest collections. I mentioned Glamour Closet because that's the type of store where everything is available for purchase, it's similar to an outlet rather than an actual boutique.
There are stores like Alfred Angelo or David's Bridal which carry multiple sizes of each dress available for purchase, but if you're a Monique kind of girl these may not be for you :)
Where in CA are you going to be? Maybe the Bees can recommend some stores for you.
I would check your favorite designers to see if the will be having any sample sales near where you will be going. Samples, you can get right away and you may even find one that fits you. If not, you could get a rush on the alterations. If you are going to bring the gown home to have the alterations done, I suggest calling around now to find someone who would be willing to do alterations for you. You can ask them what the average cost for alterations would be.
Oh man. I'm glad I asked. I honestly thought I could walk into a store, be like, "yep, I'll take it" and walk out with it (pending alterations, of course). It's how they do it here, they kind of push you to buy it because if someone else walks in after me, it's gone.
I'll be in Northern CA, based in Carmel, but expect a lot of SF trips and probably one up to Sacramento.
@meliss: I think you're right. Haven't seen anything at the David's Bridal website that strikes me, but I'm open to anything between $500 and, um...no limit.
Now currently in love with Vera Wang's Diana. And a few from Aire Barcelona.
I bought my dress from Marina Morrison in SF and i highly highly highly recommend them! They have many of the top designers, except Vera and ML - check out their website if you're curious about their collections. I also really loved Amy Kuschel in SF; they make their dresses on the floor above the salon, so it might be easier to get a "rush job" done. Good Luck!
I tried on a few Aire Barcelona's at Marylinn's in Los Angeles. Bit far for you, but they were all available for purchase as a sample (size 10's). If you have a specific dress in mind and can't find it they can probably ship to SF.
I would call a bunch of bridal places in the areas of SF you will be in and make sure they have some dresses that can be bought of-the-wrack and they are in your size range.
Before your trip, maybe you can try a high-end department stores (Neiman Marcus, Saks, etc.) in Dubai, if there are any?
I can't wait for updates! I'm sure it is stressful but it has to be exciting to plan!!
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Short story: we got engaged 10 days ago, and have set a date of March 26th...2010.
Dilemma: there is a serious lack of wedding dresses here. I went to one store in Dubai and it had my favorite designer (Monique Lhuillier), but not all of her styles. To request an order will take 5-6 months, but to rush it will add 15% to the price. Not a small charge considering things are marked up like crazy here. There's also a Pronovias outlet somewhere, but beyond that, nothing but local overly-sparkly-overly-beaded-taffeta nightmares (think My Big Fat Greek Wedding).
My question: I'm headed to California at the end of January for a quick trip. Do I wait on the dress, buy it there, and bring it back for alterations? Do I risk it? Anybody know if alterations are even possible within a week if I tried to do it in CA? Any tips for cramming maximum dress shopping into a few days?