Post # 32
Member
168 posts
Blushing bee
The reason it “appears” that women “often” spend thousands on dresses is because “Say Yes to the Dress” highlights two stores (ATL & NYC). This takes a very small sample of the population into account. Only women who can afford dresses this expensive go to these stores, and therefore end up on TV. I sincerely hope this doesn’t convince girls to go way outside their budget just because they make it seem normal! My dress was $350, and I love it.
Post # 33
Member
8682 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Bunny_the_Bride: There is a Group USA here in NJ at an outlet mall called Jersey Gardens.
Post # 34
Member
30 posts
Newbee
$0 🙂 I’m wearing my mom’s dress, and she is just altering it a bit. She sewed it herself 29 years ago.
Post # 35
Member
1578 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: June 2013 - Country Club
After taxes my dress was $1250. With alterations, it was $1500.
Post # 36
Member
1344 posts
Bumble bee
Mum paid for mine, it was $2681 exactly, it was the most expensive dress in the shop. She was gonna give me a limit of 5k! My jaw nearly dropped when she said that! The most expensive dress I tried on was $4100 and I liked it, but I wasn’t like ‘OMG THIS IS THE DRESS!’ It would probably have been my second choice though.
If I were paying for it myself there is no way I would have spent that much, but mum insisted she pay for it. I got my rehearsal dress off etsy for $125 and that probably would have been ok for a wedding dress. I wouldn’t have felt the same way as I do in my dress, but I would have been ok wearing it, it’s a flowy a-line dress, my wedding dress is a sparkly ballgown, so there’s a big difference and while they’re both pretty, I LOVE my wedding dress.
I probably would have gotten jasmines to make it for me if I was paying.
Post # 37
Member
391 posts
Helper bee
Went into it wanting to spend less than $2,000. After trying on over 100 dresses and getting frustrated, I upped the price range of dresses I tried on. The one i ordered is $2,850, and I didn’t have to pay sales tax. It’s Monique Lhuillier Bliss 1304.
You should check out the Bridal Bargains book. it reviews different designers by quality and I think Group USA was highly rated.
Post # 38
Member
2541 posts
Sugar bee
I spent about $800 on mine.
Post # 39
Member
300 posts
Helper bee
@Bunny_the_Bride: My budget is somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000. Since I love Maggie Soterro I will definately fall within my budget. I think 800 is a good budget. You have to do what is best for you and your groom. I personally would were a 100 dollar dress if it looked great on me lol.
Post # 40
Member
1511 posts
Bumble bee
@Bunny_the_Bride: My dress was just shy of $3000 after tax. That’s not including any alterations.
I tried on quite a few dresses between $800 – $3000, but I ended up choosing the dress that made me cry. I wanted to keep the cost of the dress around $3000 or under (without alterations), so I did stay within budget.
Looking at all of these other posts, I feel like I spent a lot. I’ve never once questioned my choice, though, and I still loved it when I went in to try it on again and pay the balance a couple of weekends ago (it’s already in!). I guess for me the most important thing was the way it made me feel. I feel very fortunate to have been able to pay for it myself.
Post # 41
Member
823 posts
Busy bee
I paid for my own dress and it was $1,100 before alterations.
Post # 42
Hostess
2555 posts
Sugar bee
I went in with a $1500 budget and ended up falling in love with a gown that came to about $600. This doesn’t include alterations (either did my original budget though..).
Post # 43
Member
470 posts
Helper bee
@babypearls: Good to know! I can’t wait to check the store out! So excited. I don’t know if there are any other formal stores in FM, but hopefully Group USA si the only one I’ll need.
Post # 44
Member
470 posts
Helper bee
@angelinthesnowxo: It’s really worth any price you can afford when it makes you that happy!
Post # 45
Member
470 posts
Helper bee
@onceinalifetime122113: This is great to know. I feel normal now 🙂
Post # 46
Member
668 posts
Busy bee
I got my dress at a trunk show and got 10% off and spent $4800 pre-alterations, so I should be just over $5K all said.