Post # 1

Member
270 posts
Helper bee
After much searching and frustration, I have fallen in love with a dress that is double the budget I allocated for my dress! Ugh! Any other bees blow the budget on your dress?? Please help me feel better about overspending!
Post # 3

Member
8487 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@urbanriceball: My dress was almost double my budget, but I had a very small budget. I didnt want to spend over $500, and my dress ended up being $950. But if its a larger budget (like 2k changed to 4k) then I wouldnt personally go over twice the budget. Depends on what you’re comfortable with! Just remember that its a dress you’re only going to wear for a few hours.
Post # 4

Member
1345 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: October 2013 - Vine Street Church
Nope, my dress was only $200 and I was wanting to spend a max of $500.
Post # 5

Member
1784 posts
Buzzing bee
@urbanriceball: My hope was $600ish and I got one that was $895 with free alterations. I think it was totally worth it but I didn’t go over budget by a ton, either.
Post # 6

Member
1409 posts
Bumble bee
@allyfally: +1 agree. My ideal dress budger was $300 or so and I ended up spending $700….so it was double, but still reasonable in an objective sense.
Post # 7

Member
594 posts
Busy bee
I went over my budget by about $100, so I didn’t exactly “blow” it, but decided I had wiggle room to accomodate my dream dress. Nothing else made me as happy as my dress did, so it was absolutely worth it.
Post # 8

Member
1936 posts
Buzzing bee
@urbanriceball: I didn’t blow the dress budget initially ($2,500 allocated, spent about $2,650 after taxes), but I just had my first fitting, and my alterations are over $600. Yeah. That one hurt. Don’t forget to factor those in.
To be honest, while the dress is important, i’d rather settle a little than have to forego good food or have debt. It all depends on how you can shift money around. If you can make it work, go for it! Just weigh the pros and cons.
Post # 9

Member
2448 posts
Buzzing bee
I went in expecting something for $2K and walked out with a dress that was $5K. The heart knows no budget! 
Post # 10

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
I based my budget off of my sisters wedding. I figured if I kept expenses in the same range as she did then I wouldnt go over my total budget. I was going to try to find a dress under $900—that didn’t happen. $1,600 later I found my dress. Yikes! That just means I have to cut down somewhere else. We are doing pies instead of a cake so that helps a lot!
Post # 11

Member
270 posts
Helper bee
@allyfally: Yes thank you for keeping it in perspective — only a few hours … …but a lifetime of pictures (and the rationalizing has begun…haha). I’m going to keep looking around…Just afraid I won’t be able to get this one out of my head.
@BlondeBee: Yeah it’s the potential alterations that are making me nervous. The cost of the dress I can live with, but she quoted me between $700-$1000 for alterations. WHAT?!
@atlbride2013: yes that was my initial expectation too…and then I tried on a Jenny Packham and it was game over. (I’ve totally stalked you and your Justice of the Peace so I feel like you can sympathize haha!)
Post # 12

Hostess
2637 posts
Sugar bee
@urbanriceball: went $500 over my dress budget, but I was able to pay in cash “under the table” so to speak, so I payed no taxes. No shipping fees. My dress was made so no alteration fees, and my veil was free and custom made with the dress…so adding up I was basically on the mark.
Post # 13

Member
107 posts
Blushing bee
Yup I blew my budget. I was originally aiming for a dress under $1,000 but ended up spending $1,462.26 on a David’s Bridal Vera Wang dress (style # VW351166: it was on sale so got it at a discount price along with the slip). I have to make alterations (changing the neckline to sweetheart) so overall I am thinking the dress will cost between $1,600 – $1,800…def over budget
Post # 14

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
@urbanriceball: My budget was 5k but I ended up spending 7,900 (not including alterations) 🙁 even though I was guilt-striken at first, I have been finding little ways to save money, and ended up making up for the splurge in other areas of the wedding. The most important thing is for you to feel happy and beautiful on your day. You will also have your pictures forever! Try resolving your guilt by spending less on less important details that guests wont notice quite as much as your dress
Post # 15

Member
739 posts
Busy bee
I blew my budget big time. Two words: Reem Acra.
Post # 16

Member
8487 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@urbanriceball: What does it look like? Maybe we can help find one that looks similar.