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I am in the same boat as you!! I've been in love with the Jim Hjelm 8962 for SO long...and when I found out the price my dream was completely crushed. I would love to see if anyone could find any close alternative to this dress for under 2 grand!!
My only advice is that you still have a LOT of time. Maybe one of these dresses will pop up on the pre-owned sites. Good luck!
@PreciousLaur19 - SanDiegoAli is right, at least we have the benefit of time on our side! But I'm with you...I'm searching high and low for this one!
@zippylef - I have considered it, but have not had any luck finding a recommended seamstress who does custom-made dresses this elaborate here in southern California. If I were able to find someone who could make a similar design, I would probably go for it! My only concern would be the quality--the fabric on this gown is so soft and the way it moves when you walk is incredible. It would be great if that aspect could be replicated, too!
@SanDiegoAli - I know, you're right--I'll just keep looking! Thanks for the good wishes :)
I too am a Jim Hjelm lover! Can you try running of the brides or make a trip out to Kleinfeld's sample sale?? Definitely keep at it on the pre-owned sites! I'm trying my luck Monday at the Kleinfeld's sample sale and hope my dreams and prayers for a Jim Hjelm dress come true! GOOD LUCK!! Happy Planning!
my dress is anjolique, so not exactly in the same league as jim hjelm, but i purchased mine from the nicest people off craigslist! same style, size and everything- in perfect condition. the biggest coincedence of my life- so you really never know. it's gotta pop up somewhere! a girl i work with got her exact dress on ebay, so didn't get to see it first, but she got her dream dress for a deep discount too :) if i see it anywhere, i'll be sure to recognize it and let you know!
well I actually just got in touch with someone on this site who is wearing this dress in her July wedding and she told me she was able to talk her bridal shop down to $3400 for the Jim Hjelm...Still expensive but MUCH easier to handle than $4700!!!
i guess i need to work on my bargaining skills
Try the weddingbee classifieds!! Or Once Wed or even PreOwned Wedding Dresses
Hope that helps! :o)
@PreciousLaur19 - Wow, I didn't know that bridal salons were even open to bargaining for non-sample dresses. That's really good to know! (Although, my negotiation skills suck so probably wouldn't do me much good anyway 
).
@AzinAugust - Thanks, I'm definitely checking out those sites on a regular basis!
i was just going through my magazine and kept seeing this style over and over! i'm sure there are details about the jim hjelm's that you love, but would any of these be similar enough? i'm not familiar enough about the designers to know cost ranges, but you could investigate further if you like any...
http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=2&start=12 (style #8705)
http://rosaclara.es/ (TWO collection style #124 caspe or #128 catia, lots have ruffly skirts)
http://www.edenbridals.com/bridal-gowns-bridals-c-28_24.html?page=1&sort=1a (style #2367)
lasposa.info- lots of ruffly styles in the 2010 collection
are any of these on the right track? don't give up- you'll find the one!
Ok I found this one, http://jamescliffordcollection.com/dresses/?collection=James%20Clifford%20Collection#J11009S
somewhat similar. James Clifford is the off-brand of Jim Hjelm, his dresses range from about 1k-2k.
http://demetriosbride.com/us/index.php?page=collection_blue&styleID=2204, style B157 and B129.
This is similar to the second one: http://jasminebridal.com/J_1_1_1_1.aspx?sqno=JPN2009102510779&j_style_no=STYL20080821002&j_line_no=LINE20080821004&j_line_season=S&forb=c
Some from Mia solano:
http://miasolano.com/gallerydetails.asp?main_id=467&sname=&cname=Couture&cat_id=27&subcat_id=0
http://miasolano.com/gallerydetails.asp?main_id=245&sname=&cname=Couture&cat_id=27&subcat_id=0#
http://miasolano.com/gallerydetails.asp?main_id=187&sname=&cname=Couture&cat_id=27&subcat_id=0
(style numbers: M1099Z, M2864L, M8951)
Also, I know several people who've had good luck with this person, her name is Stacey burns and she sells bridal gowns, but she doesn't have a salon/store, so she doesn't jack her prices up. She carries an array of designers (not couture designers though), and you can e-mail her for a list. And search those designers, she gives you nearly half off the marked up bridal salon prices. (she sells both Jasmine and Demetrios - excluding their couture collections)
http://www.leephilipbridals.com/
Good luck!
I too fell in love with a couture gown way out of budget...I had little luck finding a look-alike. the dress I ended up getting looks nothing like it.
@gamblina & sept2610 - Thank you girls for all those links!! Those are some really good finds. The skirt on the Eden Bridals dress looks very similar, just a little poofier. I like the James Clifford and Jasmine Bridal dresses, too. I think I may try to find salons that have all of the dresses you guys mentioned and give them a shot.
Thank you 
I know what it's like firsthand not to be able to afford the dress you love, so I'm very happy for help! I wouldn't wish my misfortune and tears on any other bride!
You might also try to let some of the bridal consignment shops aware of what you're looking for. Something Blue Bridal Botique might be good place to start in SoCal but I'm sure there are more too: http://www.somethingbluebridalboutiquesd.com/
My dress is a Justin Alexander and I love it and the price. Not sure if you have checked out any of his dresses...if not do. =) Good luck!
I got a $5000ish Anne Barge at the Mon Amie bridal salon in Costa Mesa for about $3300 less. Granted, its a sample, but it was in excellent condition. I totally recommend looking there!
maybe something like this...it's kind of similar
http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/14260/Other-7216-Size-8.html
If you're still looking for these dresses, I would say keep stalking the preowned sites until you would absolutely have to order a dress from a salon, which for you would be around fall of this year. I have the first dress, and it's relatively new, so it might start popping up in weddings this summer and fall. Then people might start selling it and you'll still have it in time for your wedding.
Hi!
I don't know how recent the 1st dress is, but I acutally bought the second dress for my wedding. I went to a local bridal store that was having a Jim Hjelm trunk show. Most trunk shows, like the one I went to, give a percentage off if you purchase from the trunk show. I also talked them into giving me a little extra off because I just loved it so much. My budget was $2500 and they gave me the $3000 dress for that price. Check the website to see where a Jim Hjelm trunk show might be happening near you! Good luck!!
I always suggest this because this is what i did/doing
Post an add on etsy.com under the Alchemy with a picture and describe what you love about the dress and how much you want to spend. You'll get tons of replys + you can look at all there work & get reviews!
Sample sale, maybe?
That's what I did. I got two Maggie Sottero gowns for $100 each. Yup, $100.
If anybody is still interested, I am selling this Jim Hjelm 8962 dress. Size 4.
http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/topic/for-sale-the-gorgeous-jim-hjelm-8962
Let me know!
If you have enough money upfront to pay for the Jim Hjelm dress, you could always buy the dress and then sell it after the wedding.
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Hello bees!
I saw that another bee posted a similar thread before, and I can totally sympathize! :( It is so hard to find a dress I love on my budget. I don't want to spend more than $1500, yet all the dresses I love seem to cost upwards of $3500. I'm particularly in love with Jim Hjelm, and have been scouring pre-owned dress sites and the classifieds here on WB looking for a used or sample 8962 gown in my price range. As it turns out, I haven't had much luck and am beginning to come to terms with the fact that I may just have to give up on my dream Jim Hjelm dress.
That said, can you bees please help me find a dress that is similar and within my budget? :) The following two were my favorite Jim Hjelms, with the 8962 being first:
And there's the other Jim Hjelm I liked (but not as much as the one above):
I would really appreciate any suggestions you girls may have! Thanks in advance :)