Not Engaged Yet

Reality of Wedding Dresses

After sitting down and looking at my budget, specifically what it recommended I budget for attire, I really started to think. I get that the average wedding is somewhere around $25K or $30K, but I didn't really know how expenses broke down. Also, I think having seen so much SYTTD I had become a little distanced from reality. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on that show with a budget below $1500.

So, for everyone what was/is/would be your budget for a dress?
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Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses

  • edited December 2011
    I totally know what you mean. My goal was to stay under $2000 with alterations, veil, headpiece, everything.

    Here was the breakdown of my dress:

    Dress: $850
    Veils: $450
    Extra length added to dress: $100
    Shoes: $40

    I don't know how much alterations will cost yet.
    ~~December 3, 2011~~
  • edited December 2011
    my dress, veil, bra, shapewear, jacket, and alterations was $1200.  I went over my budget of $1000 just a little bit, but I don't think it was unreasonable.  I paid separately for shoes and hair accessories (not out of the wedding fund, but out of my pocket/fun money).
  • Blue & WhiteBlue & White member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    My mom bought her [regular, not wedding] dress at Lord & Taylor.  I think it was like $30.

    If I can be half as savvy as her, I'd be thrilled :)  But she was also very anti-wedding/tradition (it was the 70s, she was special.)

    She also asked all her groomsmen to grow facial hair (only one did)

    And she didn't wear a veil (*gasp*!)

    My mom is awesome - I honestly can't wait till we're planning together (although she's not gonna want anything to do with it, except for dancing)
    I guess, to tell you the truth, I've never had much of a desire to grow facial hair. I think I've managed to play quarterback just fine without a mustache. - Peyton
  • edited December 2011
    I'm shooting for a $99 dress at David's Bridal. To me, the dress is one of the least important things. Our budget is only 12k, and I'd rather spend my money on good food and a good reception.
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  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I just can't justify spending that much on a dress like some of the girls on SYTTD!  I end up counting how many hours I'm going to wear it and how much per hour that breaks down to for the dress to be worth it... I'll be in it less than 8 hours, and I can't justify more than $150/hour - thus total budget of $1200.  Weird logic, I know, but that's just me.  I think I'll probably end up having a dress custom made on Etsy - they run around $700, and it'll be custom made so probably very few alterations will be necessary. 

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  • SassyFlatsSassyFlats member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My dress was $500. I was very happy with that. My budget was up to $1,000, and spending only half of that left money for other things.
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  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    When I went into the dress idea I had my maximum dress budget be $1000 because I had no idea what to expect. I have difficult buying regular dresses, so I was a little concerned if it'd be enough.  I had also budgeted about $600 for alterations, shoes, bra, shapewear, veil and accessories.

    So far, I only have my dress and it is $400 before tax. Now I'm hoping to keep everything under $1000.

    I have such a hard time justifying the dress. It is one of the few areas that i really want to cut back on.
  • edited December 2011
    I think it's very possible to find a dress for MUCH less. Especially if you're not looking for the typical wedding dress (ie: considering short, no train, etc.). Many department stores carry white dresses that would be amazing for weddings...but fit a "summer dress" price point.
     
    Dillards (Link)
    Nordstrom (Link)
    Macy's (Link)
  • edited December 2011
    Oops... I voted in the wrong bracket. I just looked, and my actual budget was $2500 (when we used a budget calculator). But, I really had no intention of going that high for a dress.
    ~~December 3, 2011~~
  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I want to stay under 1000 (that's what I put in the poll) but the dress I'm currently in love with costs 1300.  I haven't tried it on, so there's still a good chance I'll hate it and it won't be an issue, but I might stretch it a bit to accommodate that.  For me, clothing can really make or break my mood, confidence, etc., so I do prioritize the dress somewhat.  I just want to make sure I really enjoy wearing it and feel fabulous in it.

    On another note, I feel like one of the budget calculators I saw somewhere said that the dress can be 20% of the total budget.  Can that possibly be right?  That would mean a bride with a 30K budget could spend 6 on her dress?  Ummm, no.  I'll spend 1 and put the other 5 toward booze.
  • CASK85CASK85 member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    My dress, bra and garment bag came to  $577. I'm not sure what alterations and veil will be, but I'm hoping to keep the whole total under 700-800. I don't understand spending thousands of dollars on a dress you will wear for maybe 10 hours. I'm really happy with my dress - I'm going to pick it up this weekend! 
  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Elle - I have to agree with you on the booze. I'd much rather spend money on something everyone can enjoy.
  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I think I'd feel differently if it was necessary to spend that much to get a great dress, but it's definitely not.  1K buys you plenty of dress, and I don't expect any of my wedding guests to be running their hands over it checking to see if the material is high -quality and any embellishments are hand-stitched.
  • Wrkn925Wrkn925 member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Calnidi, I break things down to how many hours I worked for them, so I understand the breaking down by how many hours you'd wear it.
    e.g.- I worked 6 hours to buy the Tahori suit I'm wearing on interviews.

    I said $1000.  The dress I've drooled over is Maggie Sottero Bernadette and is about $1500.  I hope it's on the clearance rack or I find something cheaper when the time comes.

    I found out my Mom's veil still exists.  I asked her if my sister's veil was still around, and she said 'Yeah, you know it was mine, right?"
    I flipped out.  I'll probably buy a dress simply to match that veil because it excites me SOOO much to know I could get married wearing the veil my Mom and Sister wore.

    My aunt is a very skilled seamstress, so she will do alterations.  She's cheap for the quality work she does, and I wouldn't put it past her to make alterations my wedding gift.

    So,
    dress-$1000
    veil- $0
    alterations $0-$100
    Shoes- whatever I can find on clearance.


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  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wrkn - I do something similar, I used to compare things to my rent payment and now I compare it to my mortgage payment. That in itself is a way to settle down my spending because it puts everything in line with my house expenses.
  • cu97tigercu97tiger member
    Eighth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In my head I'm thinking BF & my budget will be $15k, so that would put my dress at around $750. My mom weighed about 20 lbs less than I do when she got married, but I'd love to try to use her dress if possible. It may not be worth all the re-design though, but we'll see.

    I'm with Elle on the high-dollar dresses. 1) If I bought a $6000 dress I'd immediately spill something red or purplle on it. 2) I'd rather spend the $ on booze!
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  • edited December 2011
    Cate, I love your mathematical breakdown :)

    I randomly decided that I didn't want to spend more than $1500 on a dress. Then I went on the knot budget tool and according to to that, $1500 is right around what my dress budget should be based on my total wedding budget. I've found an Allure Bridals dress that I love that's typically around $850 in stores, so I'd be really happy if that's the dress I end up with because it would keep me well within my budget!
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'm willing to go up to a $1,000, but I figure the lower the better.  It's not going to be an elaborate dress.  I have to cart my dress on an airplane and it has to survive to make it to Maui.  So something simple and not too frilly.  I don't see it being that expensive.  Its all about accessories.  I have a couple of ideas and pictures on my planning bio.  I guess I'll see when I go dress shopping this summer. 
  • SassyFlatsSassyFlats member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Elle, $5k on booze? Can I come? Sounds like a great time!
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  • edited December 2011
    I got a Priscilla of Boston dress 20% off because I signed up for their credit card. That saved me close to $500 (which I then put into sparkle buttons). I didn't have to put the dress on the card, just sign up for it. I hear you can get good discounts at trunk shows too. Also smaller salons I saw were willing to knock prices down 15-20% off just to get me to buy. You can also try and find a salon that offers free alterations with a dress purchase, it is unlikely, but worth a shot. Sometimes they might throw in a free accessory to veil too. It is a buyer's market so use it to your advantage. 

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  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Motolyn - Is your planning bio available for public consumption? I don't think I've seen it.
  • edited December 2011
    Well, my mom insists that she'll pay for my dress.  I've told her multiple times that this isn't necessary, but she says she'll "cry and not come to the wedding" if I don't let her pay for my dress.  But knowing my mother, she'll use the fact that she's paying for my dress to manipulate me into buying whatever she wants me to wear.

    SOOOO...my plan is to go shopping with my mom and others and if I fall in love with a dress and my mom wants to pay for it, fine.  If I want a dress that she doesn't like and refuses to pay for, I'll pay for it myself.

    Either way, I doubt my dress will be more $2000.
  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_reality-of-wedding-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:da776410-fc35-4c27-948f-a4491f657410Post:39c14462-6ff9-4873-bbe3-a7d29ce29378">Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses</a>:
    [QUOTE]Motolyn - Is your planning bio available for public consumption? I don't think I've seen it.
    Posted by Hazel_B[/QUOTE]

    Ask and ye shall receive, by the way how do you make it a centered clicky at the bottom of your signature?

    <a href="http://danishmanandsneakyasiangettinghi.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow">http://danishmanandsneakyasiangettinghi.weebly.com/</a>
  • edited December 2011
    I spent $380 on the dress, plus $70 on alterations and $65 on a headpeice. 
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  • edited December 2011
    My dress was $600. I still have to get it altered with I am guessing will be in the $400 range because I need to get it hemmed, bustled (it is a heavy satin so I need at least a 6 point bustle) and taken in around the bust. My mom will be making my veil and slip so I am guessing $30 total for the both. I have not gotten my shoes yet so I do not know how much those will cost. I budgeted around $1,00 for just the dress so I think being around $1,600 for everything isn't too bad since I was $400 under budget on my dress. So here is my break down

    Dress- $600
    Alterations- ? (guessing $400)
    Veil- ? (being made by mother, guessing around $5)
    Slip- ? (being made by mother, guessing around $25)
    Long bra ? (guessing around $40)
    Shoes ? (guessing around $100)
    Necklace- $200
    Earrings-$50
    Bracelet- ? (guessing around $100)
    Hair comb- ? (guessing around $50)

    Total- about $1,600 for my wedding day look
  • bee&beebee&bee member
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    my budget was 1000 for dress and alterations. I will be under budget since my dress was only $450 and alterations should only be about $120.  YAY.

  • tmacwintmacwin member
    100 Comments Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'm hoping to get my dress, alterations, veil (still deciding if I'll want one) all for under $1,000.  I've scoped out David's Bridal online and have found several dresses in the $500-700 range that I like.  We'll just see how they look on.
    image
  • peekaboo2011peekaboo2011 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_reality-of-wedding-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:da776410-fc35-4c27-948f-a4491f657410Post:18306413-f21e-4fec-9dca-9b72c9f4bde7">Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses : Ask and ye shall receive, by the way how do you make it a centered clicky at the bottom of your signature? <a href="http://danishmanandsneakyasiangettinghi.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow">http://danishmanandsneakyasiangettinghi.weebly.com/</a>
    Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

    <div>in your sig edit put
    after your ticker, then <a href="url" /> what you want it to say </a></div><div>
    </div><div>that should automatically center.  If it doesn't, I think you just add <center> before the <a href...></div><div>
    </div><div>
    </div><div>Dress budget: planned $1500 when it's all said and done. </div><div>However, I poked around on here three years ago when a friend got married and found a dress I loved.  I poked around last night, pulled up the designer's website and the dress is STILL available.  I didn't think it would last that long.  It's ranged between $1500 and $3000.  So, maybe I'll be able to hit a trunk show or something and get it super cheap, if I love it when it's on, of course.</div>
    I french with my man
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_reality-of-wedding-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:da776410-fc35-4c27-948f-a4491f657410Post:6e917a1e-851a-4364-84cf-ef7084a274c9">Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reality of Wedding Dresses : <  p />Motolyn's<a href="http://danishmanandsneakyasiangettinghi.weebly.com">Super Awesome Bio<  /a>.<  /p> Just take the spaces out from inbetween the "<" and the p, /a, and /p.  I already inserted your link.
    Posted by sunbird627[/QUOTE]


    LoL, Sunbird you are awesome sauce.  Thanks a bunch, I'm challenged when it comes to things like that. 
  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Motolyn - Your Bio looks great! I love the colour scheme you've chosen, I'm a huge fan of orange and yellow!
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