older bride (50) and not first time...HELP!

jidesmom

So here I am at 50 getting remarried and trying to find a semi quiet dress for under $700 ish since I'm not only paying for it, I'm paying for 1/2 the wedding and flying my family and friends to a destination wedding..really adding up in $$...and I'll only have the dress on for a few quick hours in an informal setting. There are gowns out there on the various designer sites that work, but playing the game of going to various local bridal shops only to find they don't really have any of the dresses I've printed out to try (and aren't really interested in anyone wanting to spend under $800). Any advice for finding something long, but a little more informal that one can actually try on? Finding them on the web is easy... any experiences out there? Thanks for any pointers!

mikesboo23

By informal do you mean without a train?  If so try bridesmaid's dresses.  Many come in white and would work very well for a wedding dress.  If you choose to go that route I know mori lee and david's bridal have some good options.  You could try the ones you like in whatever color they have and order in the color you want.And of course david's bridal has tons of wedding dresses under $700.  Many Mori Lee wedding dresses are also in that price range especially the voyage collection. 

jidesmom

A small train is OK, but the really full "poofy" dresses look like I should be someone's fairy god mother and carrying a wand with a star on it... Thank you for the thought of bridesmaid dresses! I hadn't considered that! I have had people mention "mother of the bride" dresses, not having had any childeren, that is just too depressing! I have been checking at Davids...and found a strapeless on that has a straight neckline which I wasn't wild about...maybe it's time to check in to if someone can alter that to a slight sweetheart one.. Thanks for the recommendation!

Voltinxi

I think watters has some good bridesmaid dresses that come in white and/or ivory that would definitely work and are inexpensive (http://watters.com)

skybye

check out regular stores like macys, nordstroms, etc sometimes you can find a great dress at these stores. these bridesmaid dress is a great idea maybe a colored one??bari-jay has a lot of different stylesdessy does informal destination dresses and most designers have a destination line of wedding dressesgroupusa is fairly pricedalso try craigslist, preowned wedding dress, bravo bride, once wedif you can post pix or links to styles you like we can help you find something in your budget

skybye

just remembered check  out uniquevintage.com they have some pretty cool dresses not real expensive

goldgold

Have you looked at "destination" gowns? Most designers have some styles in this category and they are usually simpler. I would also suggest the bridesmaid route. Check out dessy.com barijay.com Also, like PP said, the department stores tend to have some dresses (Macys, Nordstroms, Bloomindales). These dresses are mostly under $500. Jessica McClintock also has gowns are reasonable prices.

spenceweb

JC Penny's actually has 3 wedding dresses online that are about $100 and are long. At least they would be easy to take back if you ordered online and have a store near you for returns.http://tinyurl.com/mpdemfSorry, having problems making the link "clicky"

goldgold

btw J. Crew also has some really pretty wedding dresses!

gilda

go to rkbridal.com or go to their store in new york city, lots of gowns and great prices, got mine years ago and have used them for bridesmaids since. gowns @ 200 300 400 on sale now

drod58

I'm 51 and I'm wearing Private Label by G, it is an informal dress with a small train.  I paid $400.  I got my dress from RK bridal in NY. Here is a picture of me on the dress, so you have an idea . http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/drod58/Myweddingdress001.jpghttp://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/drod58/Myweddingdress002.jpg

joebeth22

I'm going to say this to the 51 year-old who posted a pix of herself in her dress -- you look magnificent in the gown.  Once it's tTailored to fit you perfectly and shortened of course, or you've got your heels on, you will look stunning  Dare I say this... BUT you will look a helluva lot better than some of the girls 30 years younger on this site who have posted the dresses they're considering.  oy! what are they thinking?  So jidesmom, take your cue from that.  So what - that it's a remarriage? It'll probably be the right one this time.  Do it for HIm, for your kid(s) and for yourSELF... be a real bride.  You don't have to be a princess bride, but 'say yes to the dress' in white or diamond white and just go easy on the pouf 'cause you're prob already curvy from the years spent living and loving well! Enjoy!

drod58

Thank you joebeth, and well spoken.  

joebeth22

welcome.  meant every word!

jidesmom

WOW! thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! What a wonderful resource this is! I've got a trip to NYC coming up in December, and will definelty check out the place mentioned. Love the dresses on line too, the trouble is I want to be able to try it on, even if not in the right size, prior to buying, and very few stores in Michigan really carry all the dresses in the line they advertize. Joebeth22: your response has encouraged me and honeslty brought tears to my eyes, thank you so much for your kind words and the time you took to write them, they have truly been a blessing to me and have lifted me up. And drod58! Woohoo! You DO look great in that! For anyone else in this age group: check out the song "I can begin again" by Larnelle Harris sung on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_UPlfM71k#watch-main-area It will lift you up and give you a new perspective. "Like a dreamer who's awakened to a life that's yet to come....New beginnings are not just for the young"!