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Ann Taylor Celebrations and J. Crew both offer simple designs similar to what you are looking for. Look at their websites, and feel free to call and talk with their sales representatives - they're wonderfully helpful. Ann Taylor offers their Celebrations line only in select stores and online, and I believe J. Crew only offers their line online. Both have liberal return policies, so it might be worth a shot.
Hope it helps :)
-Danielle
hi lani--
have you tried alfred angelo? i was looking for a dress with the same criteria an found mine at a travelling angelo trunk show. it's very similar to this bridesmaid dress (http://www.alfredangelo.com/index.cfm/fuseAction/COLLECTIONS.productDetail/fromAdvancedSearch/0/productID/17322a4a-ce4d-4ef7-8cb7-93bc1cffc355/categoryID/772F03C9-DE43-4942-BFA0-DA77E21EBD65), but mine is ivory with a bit more rouching and pickups in the skirt. plus, the bridal consultant i worked with was awesome and showed me how to add a simple sash to make it more individual.
all the other angelo dresses i saw were quite simple too. just remember that anywhere you see color, you can have it adjusted to the same as the dress color so that there's no accent.
hope that helps.
Hi,
You may want to try Nicole Miller. They have a very affordable bridal collection that's simple and elegant! Good Luck!
Hey Lani!
I'm from Toronto too!
Places you might want to think about in terms of shopping:
Ritche (I went there and Sheri was awesome)
White Toronto in Yorkville (they have some Nicole Millers that are supposed to be reasonably priced).
F/X (It's a funky Queen Street West Place so you'll never know what you might find).
Also, if you're looking to keep costs down, you might want to consider getting a white or creme bridesmaids dress. They are often floor length and tend to be easier on a budget.
I tried Ritche - they were super nice there, but I didn't really find anything and I have an appointment at white toronto on october 20. White Toronto has www.simpledress.com - I'm hoping that'll be my ticket to a dress that I love. F/X sounds pretty cool - I'll have to go there. I have also tried bridesmaid dresses but I haven't found anything that I really like yet. I have a picture in my mind, but I can't find it anywhere. And I'm way too chicken to have my dress made. Terrifying.
Hi Lani,
When I was looking for dresses I had the same sorts of requirements. One dress that I found when I was in CAlgary was the Pronovias "Semilla." It has no beads/lace or anything like that, but has nice (really flattering) diagonal ruching on the bodice. I believe it can come with a flower but that's detachable. It's definitely at the high end of your price range though (It was $1050 or so CDN - but you may look in the States, either just South of you or online, as I found that gowns are cheaper in the US than at home in Canada). It comes in ivory or white silk and it is very elegant. I thinkyou could add a sash to it and it would look sweet.
I don't know where to find it in Toronto, but I would think Pronovias is pretty easy to find.
Oh, you might also try Barbara Allin - she's a designer from Toronto with pretty simple designs. However, I have NO idea what the price range is, so I'm sorry if that's a dead end.
Is this something like you had in mind? It is Jcrew and over your budget, but a yea or nay will help us narrow down.
Check out J Crew, that have beautiful simple gowns! www.jcrew.com. If you find something you like from J Crew online, you can almost always find it for less on ebay!
The JCrew one is nice - but not exactly what I'm looking for. I think I'm stuck on having a sash either at the natural waist or empire. I also would like strapless or really skinny spaghetti straps. I'm getting nervous because my wedding is in August and people keep telling me that I'm running out of time. Am I really running out of time?
I looked at the Pronovias one - it's much too dressy. I am having a very casual, outdoor wedding and I really want something simple. I love the rouging on the top - but the bottom is too pouffy. I just want a nice, simple aline skirt with no crinoline. But thanks :)
PS - you guys are amazing for all the help you are giving me! 
I may have the perfect dress for you. I bought a J. Crew Vivian on ebay. I have decided 95% that I want to wear a shorter, simpler dress. The vivian is ivory silk, empire waist, strapless, a-line skirt, no embellishments what so ever And, you can add a sash if ou want to.
Oh! The vivian is really pretty! And you could put a sash on it and make it perfect. There's no Jcrew in Canada - and I would be scared to purchase it online without ever trying it on.
If you purchase a J Crew dress from their online store, they accept returns by mail as long as it is within 60 days of the purchase date. J Crew has great customer service and they should not give you any problems. I'm tellin you, J Crew is great! Also, check out their Wedding & Parties shop to see their bridesmaids dresses...also simple and very cute!
Have you tried on bridesmiad dresses? alot of the time you can order them in white or ivory. they always WAY cheaper than a "wedding gown".
Hi!
I don't know if you checked out Ann Taylor dresses but they have a VERY similar dress to the J Crew Vivian for $600 USD it is called "The Elizabeth.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/department.jsp?N=1200042&categoryId=193
They have sashes in about 10 colors.
They also allow returns etc.. and you could take it to a regular tailor/alterations shop for the best fit.
I'm also looking for a similar dress and want to keep my spending hopefully under $1000 too.
Good luck!
The Elizabeth is pretty close to what I want - I just don't like the buttons on the back. And I'd like the back to scoop down into a v a little bit too.
I probably should just go get a dress made, it sounds like I know what I want now! Ha!
It's either that or I'm just too darn picky.
i wanted almost the exact same thing as you - i ended up getting it made. but looking back, i might have tried ordering a watters bridesmaid gown in white.
This MAY seem crazy, but have you looked at Target?
It's just a sheath, but it's only $89.00 (!!!), and it sounds like what you're asking for. Plus, they have sashes in a few different colors. I happen to love it!
I got my vivian on ebay for $75. Its beautiful. If that's the dress you are looking for, it might be worth shelling out the $. But, that's your call.
I took a risk on two dresses, both from J Crew. I've spent a total of $160 on wedding dresses. One is perfect, the other (the Vivian) is too formal. Later down the road, I will try to sell the Vivian. But, that was not a lot of $ to spend on wedding dresses and it was totally worth it.
Please look at Pronovias Lido (without the coat thing). I think there are pictures online. It is very similiar to the jcrew Vivian but it has a train.
Let me know if you are interested!
Your description sounds similar to my dress. I don't know if you have David's Bridal in Canada though.
Good Luck!
harpersr: YOUR DRESS is MY DRESS! Ha! I actually tried that one on in Halifax and it is my go-to dress if I don't find anything else. That's hilarious! I think the brand is Jai Elegance. Great minds think alike ;)
Bride888 - I like the first one. It's super cheap too - that's awesome! Where are those from?
hi! i think you wanted to see pics of my dress. here are links to pics of the front and back. (pics by Amy Hoffsommer)
the skirt is sort of trumpet-ish but there was no crinoline, no train. i put the sash at the hip. the lady who made it used a combo of this pattern for the top half and this pattern for the bottom half, which you can get at a fabric store. the cost of materials was about $100. labor will vary but i got a good deal and no alterations are necessary if it's handmade!
Franola - you looked so sweet in that dress! It's really pretty - and you can do the trumpet skirt. I just look awkward in a trumpet skirt. I've tried on a few. I really like the sash on your dress, it's so pretty!!
A huge thanks to everyone for helping me out. You all rock!
Hi Ladies!
Thanks for all your help! I found my dress and bought it on Sunday! I bought something that I didn't think I'd go for - but once I had it on it was perfect. I have to thank hummingbird because as I was walking past F/X in Toronto like she recommended, I found another store called Lowon Pope. The dresses there are gorgeous - very timeless and all hand-made. The styles there are very Carolyn Besset (google it, you'll know what I mean when you see it).
So thanks! And hooray for a finally finding a dress!
oooh which dress did you end up getting?
i was going to suggest mikaella dresses...i was looking for something very simple too and they have a great selection!
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Hi Everyone! I am living in Toronto but I am getting married in Halifax. I have been looking for a wedding dress and have had NO luck.
I want something very simple, and it seems that it doesn't exist. Does anyone know where I can find something like this:
Simple Ivory Dress
Floor Length
No Train
No Beadwork
No Lace
No Sparklies
A-line
No crinoline
Maybe a sash or some rouging on the bodice
Satin or silk
Strapless or spaghetti straps
I really like the idea of a sash in a different color. I also don't want to spend a whole lot - I'd like to keep it under $1000. Am I asking too much? If anyone has some good websites or suggestions of where to shop in Toronto I would be very grateful.
Whenever I go shopping I feel like the anti-bride because I don't want the typical dress that stores seem to offer. I've tried on a few dresses where the sales clerks go on and on about how beautiful it looks, and I just feel silly. Has anyone else had this problem?