Wedding dress shopping

Blergbot

So I went today, first to a local smaller salon, and then to David's. i totally thought I'd find something at the local place, but not the case. There were several contenders at DB and zero real contenders at the local shop. Maybe they just have more selection at DB, though both places didn't have several of the dresses I wanted to try on. I narrowed it down to one dress that looks great on me. (You can't see it from the angle of this picture, but my body looks pretty slammen'). I has a illusion neckline thatI'm not crazy about, but their alterations person said she could turn the high neckline into more of a scoopneck. I really do love it, but there's two issues: it's at the high end of my price range (wanted to sat under $1000, it's on sale for $950 until the end of the month), and I'm head over heels for dress I haven't tried on yet. I i'm going out of town this weekend, and there will be a store that carries that line an hour away from where we'll be. So I might be able to try it on! And it's only around $700! Of course, it could look awful, so the one I tried today might be it. My IPad apologizes for its lack of paragraphs.

Blergbot

Here' the one I've yet to try on: http://www.allurebridals.com/products/2716

Mitch617

I like both, but like the allure better. I like the neckline/straps and the back! That's great that it is on sale, but see how you feel in it.

hyechica81

ohh i love the allure gown its looks amazing. the picture of the dress you have on i am not a fan of the neckline also. something about it just screams way to much netting on top

vmj23

I love the allure dress and would agree on the illusion neckline on the first - I do not like the way it looks.  It's too thick of a material, it reminds me of  figure skating costumes or something.  

themuffinman16

Make sure the store carries it in your size, before you travel out there.  I had one store tell me they had the dress, when they returned the call, but failed to mention it was 8 sizes to large. (It would be difficult to see how the dress would look when it is too big or too small). 

    I think that dress you tried on is pretty, but I would go with a dress that needs minimal alterations.  You might not like the line of the dress or how low cut it is without the extra fabric there. I think it could be very flattering, but you should go with a dress you know is flattering.  I am head over heels for that allure gown, though. Maybe try on a dress, in town, with a similar shape to it, to get a better idea of how the allure gown looks before you travel someplace to try it on.

Blergbot

I did try to go and try on other gowns with that same shape, but they didn't carry them. I do like A-line, but I also discovered that I like fit and flair. I also have an appointment at Alfred Angelo tomorrow, so maybe something there will knock the DB dress out of contention.

Dignity100

I like the allure dress better.  I'm really not a fan of the neckline/sleeves in the dress you're in, I also think it needs a belt or something to break it up.

Blergbot

Here is a better angle of me in the DB dress. I love how my curves look in the dress, but the dress itself I'm not just in love with, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to try on the allure dress. I called three stores in the northern LA area, which is an hour or so away from where I'll be, and one of them *might* have it--they said they'd check and call me back, but then they didn't. Sigh. The BM who was supposed to go with me to AA tomorrow had to cancel, so I had to reschedule that until I get back from my trip. I feel antsy about the whole process!

Blergbot

Oops. Here's the pic.

lookame3639

So I'll talk to you from my expirience. I bought a dress i wasn't loving. I liked it, it matched what I was wanting for my dress but it wasn't a dress i was in love with. Now I'm soclose to getting married and I hate it! I tried several things to make it look the way I want it to but when it came down to it i just hated it. I tried it on several times and I just saw flaws in myself and the dress. In the end I couldn't deal anymore and went out and bought a dress i just LOVE! The dress is gorgeous and i feel gorgeous in it and I can't wait till my FI sees me in it. That's my expirience though. I've heard of Brides who bought a dress they weren't totally thrilled with but after some tweaking they wound up loving the dress and themselves in the dress.

do you have time to continue shopping? I would keep the DB dress in mind and continue to check around for awhile. I know it's on sale right now but DB holds sales like this all the time. Have you tried on dresses like the allure gown with the same shape, tulle skirt ect? That could give you an idea how the allure dress would look...

lookame3639

Oh and i know you probably feel better having someone to shop with but i shopped by myself and i feel better that i did. If i needed an option i sent pictures to my friend but ultimately i found if i needed an opinion it's because i didn't feel confident in the dress

hyechica81

can you call back the salons that carry allure and see if they can get it on loaner for you to try on some designers will allow the salon to bowrrow the gown for the bride to try on. i would still go to the store that has allures and try them on to see if you like any of them

Dignity100

I did most of my shopping by myself - I found it easier as I didn't feel anybody was pushing me towards a dress I wasn't 100% in love with. 

I get what you're saying - you like the shape, but not so much the dress.  Sometimes dresses can order a sample of the dream dress, but it usually does cost a bit that then goes towards the dress if you purchase it.

You could always try other dresses on that are in a similar shape of the Allure dress and go from there.  Since you mentioned you have an appointment at AA - to me these have a similar feel:
http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridal-Collection/2446/?pg=0
http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridal-Collection/2394/?pg=0 (over your $1000 budget)
http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridal-Collection/2300/?pg=0 (over your $1000 budget)

Blergbot

@Dignity100 I actually tried on the second dress you posted. It's a halter, which I wasn't nuts about, and it made my boobs knock together too much, but I had the same idea you did! I wound up going with something else (see other post) that I fell in love with. So glad I went, even if it was by myself. Thanks, ladies, for encouraging me!