Post # 1
Member
170 posts
Blushing bee
But for a different reason! Everything is going wonderfully with Mr. Bird, but in the midst of planning our wedding, I am having the hardest time finding my wedding dress! I’m on a budget(I would really like to keep it under $900)and have pretty specific ideas on what I want:
-Sweetheart neckline
-Strapless
-Mermaid/Trumpet Silouhette
-A decent amount of beading/lace, but nothing too froofy.
-White/ivory
This is so hard! I am a petite bride(5’3″, about 100 pounds and on the busty side), and I just can’t seem to find anything I like. Are there any bees out there with similar figures/dress ideas that have found their dream dress??
Also– I am totally open to wearing a dress from a past season…does anyone know how to find those? Thanks!!!
Post # 3
Member
318 posts
Helper bee
I had a couple of issues but eventually found one I liked. I’m 5’0 and about 115. If you’re looking to save some money, you could ask about sample sale dresses as well. Also…I had an idea of what I wanted, but once I tried them on, my ideas changed. So definitely go outside the box a little too. 🙂 Good luck!!
Post # 4
Member
213 posts
Helper bee
I am a bit busty but also a bit taller 5’5 but I got Marissa 737- Got it on sale and tax free- but from a bridal salon. If you were open to pre-owned, I’ve seen my dress for around $800 (on ebay and other sites like it preownedweddingdress.com is supposed to be good). It’s silk with lace cut-outs. Simple, clean, classic, but still with some detail work. The other advice I can give you is to go to a sample sale or to a dress store that specializes in dresses around $1000. A lot of stores cater to that price bracket and as long as you tell them that you are not trying on ANYTHING that’s over your budget, you’ll be good. The store I went to had a discount rack with their samples- they had some nice dresses, just not mine. Good luck!!!
Post # 5
Member
686 posts
Busy bee
I got my dress at http://www.oncewed.com It was only $75. I would check it out. 🙂
Post # 6
Member
3620 posts
Sugar bee
I got this dress from David’s Bridal and had the neckline altered to more of a soft/sweetheart look by my seamstress. I didn’t like the pointiness of the original, but loved the finished product on my day! 5’4″ and wanted basically what you’re asking for minus the beading/lace.
Post # 7
Member
170 posts
Blushing bee
That David’s Bridal dress is beautifu…I’ll have to look into it..thanks!
Post # 8
Member
381 posts
Helper bee
My dress was $800 – Wtoo Maria. I don’t have a pic of me in it but here’s a thread with other brides in it: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/wtoo-maria-brides
Post # 9
Member
170 posts
Blushing bee
Wait!! Holy heck stop the presses I think I just found it!!
http://www.boutiqueful.com/pd-mori-lee-wedding-dress-4174.cfm
And it’s within my budget…let me know what you think…how does Mori Lee look in real life?
Post # 10
Member
125 posts
Blushing bee
I was looking at preownedweddingdresses.com for a while but became discouraged when I read about the bad practices of most wedding dress cleaners. Who is going to know that they left a yellow stain or holes or didn’t even clean it (or stuck it in a washing machine), after they vacu-seal it in a box? Not the bride, she’s not going to open that again. You’re gonna know when you buy it from a bride who says in the item description that its been professionally cleaned and boxed. I read that in this book im reading (good book) http://www.amazon.com/Bridal-Bargains-Throwing-Fantastic-Realistic/dp/1889392391/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300994812&sr=1-1
I guess that site sells sample sizes too. But sample dresses are often stretched out from pple trying them on and arent the size the tag says.
I’ve been looking everywhere too! Honestly, I think i will buy it from ebay because those seamstresses in china are the same kind of seamstresses designers like Maggie Sottero place their orders with. Lightinthebox.com also has great inexpensive but expensive looking dresses. And you might like this one:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270716785800&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_9583wt_904
Post # 11
Member
170 posts
Blushing bee
Thank you CMT for your insight. While I am budget conscious, I just don’t think I want a preowned dress, but I am open to looking at sample sizes. I had seen a posting of a bride on here who purchased her gown from lightinthebox, and it was lovely, and looked just like the designer photo. I get a real thrill out of getting a good deal, so I’m trying to learn more about that.
Post # 12
Hostess
23620 posts
Honey Beekeeper
What about this Alfred Angelo gown (style #2169)? It might be a little over your budget in store, but I found them online for slightly under 900.
Post # 13
Member
726 posts
Busy bee
ya i would say check out alfred angelo, they are always having deals where you can get 100-300 of you dress I only paid 800 for mine, its not what your looking for but they have a very good selection in that price range.
Post # 14
Member
2607 posts
Sugar bee
Allure Bridals 8809. I think it retails for about $1000.00, but you can find it on ebay for $899, New with tags, and as a corset back it won’t need too much alteration. I considered this dress seriously before going with a more casual wedding. You could try one on in store to be sure you like it first
http://shop.ebay.ca/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=allure+8809&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Post # 15
Member
3613 posts
Sugar bee
@Cmt83: Most brides that get their dresses cleaned prior to selling don’t get them boxed. This isn’t practical because most potential buyers will ask for closeup photos after cleaning, or local buyers will want to try the dress on. Great majority of brides who buy preowned dresses have a good experience, granted they’ve done their homework and asked the right questions. If you get a dress that’s misrepresented you can always go through a return or chargeback process. This would probably be a hassle but fortunately doesn’t happen too often. I sold four dresses (one used & cleaned, one used & not cleaned, one unused sample, one brand new) and had four very happy buyers. Also, sample dresses are not “stretched” or change sizes from multiple people trying them on. I wish stretching a wedding dress was that easy!
@Frustratedbird: I love that Mori Lee you posted. Hopefully you can find one near you to try on. I would caution against Lightinthebox or any of those replica companies. Do a search on the boards and you will see more horror stories than the ones that worked out. You should be able to find a beautiful dress for $900 without having to go the replica route.
Post # 16
Member
565 posts
Busy bee
@Frustratedbird: I have a mermaid gown from Mori Lee and I LOVE it . The fabric is thick and very nice and it’s constructed beautifully. She is a great choice if you want a very expensive looking dress for less. Mine was $814.
