I need help finding a wedding dress for my casual outdoor wedding next year

browneeprincess

Hi everyone!

I just got engaged on July 5th and I am really excited  . My fiance and I already set a date (June 18th, 2011) and have a venue for the wedding & reception! Because we are very laidback, we want our wedding to be simple, casual and of course a celebration of our love. I've been looking at David's Bridal and Alfred Angelo for wedding dresses but have found nothing. We're getting married at a lodge in the park so I don't want an elaborate dress. I would love to have a dress without a train, something that will allow me to dance freely at the reception(perhaps a little shorter than traditional dresses) and casual...but pretty and still a wedding dress. I also want something that is affordable.

Can anyone give me any ideas of places I should look?

Thanks so much

opalsky007

White House Black Market has a really great limited edition bridal dress right now:

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=10&pageId=1&productId=570002682&viewAll=&prd=Our+LimitedEdition+Bridal+Gown&subCatId=cat4749277&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=7&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+Wedding+Party+Dresses&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

You might also look into J. Crew's selection of simple white gowns, most of which come in both short and floor lengths.

Since it sounds like you're leaning toward a short dress anyway, and are on a budget, I'd suggest looking for white tea length dresses at mass market retailers, boutiques, and online stores. Some of my online faves are the Macy's dress finder and bluefly.com.

Cleo7

first and foremost, Congratulations!

I HIGHLY recommend going dress shopping with a very open mind before you get your heart set on any specific design.  Since you have plenty of time before your wedding, make a few appointments at bridal shops with the goal of just trying things on to see what looks and feels good on - don't feel pressure to buy right then, you have LOTS of time!  You never know what will end up looking great on you, and something you think you like might not work on your figure.

What is your budget?  I found some great dresses at David's Bridal and some really nice Alfred Angelo ones, too, but many nicer department stores have beautiful options as well, and many higher-end designers have destination lines that are less formal - you can really spend as much or as little as you want.  Also, have you considered looking at bridesmaid dresses in ivory or white (if you are going for a more traditional color)?  They are often simpler, but still beautiful.

I do have a tea-length, lace dress I was just about to list on the Wedding Classifieds, never worn, still has the tag on it.  We changed our mind about our venue after I bought it, and it's not as good of a fit for our new place.  PM me if you want more info.

Happy dress shopping!

LoriAH11

I will say I tried on the White House/ Black Market dress and it is super cute. My only issue with it was that the train seemed to keep getting caught under my heel I tried on with it. I am pretty short though, so everyone may not have that problem with it.

I would suggest looking at the dresses on here. You can narrow it down by length, silhouette, etc. That may give you a great starting point of different styles and places to look.

I 100% agree with pp that you really need to just go shopping though and keep an open mind. Even though you're totally excited (which you should be!) don't feel rushed to by one right this second. My date isn't until June 11, 2011 and I still haven't gotten my dress. I've been engaged since December. I'm glad I didn't rush out right then, because I've changed my mind several times after trying many dresses. Just make sure you give yourself a good 6 months so you don't feel rushed.

Knittibell

Did David's have their new line in when you went? Because they have some really cute tea length dresses now

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Tea-Length-Satin-Gown-with-3D-Floral-Details-WG3165_Bridal-Gowns-Features-New-Arrivals

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-Tea-Length-Gown-with-Box-Pleats-WG3038_Bridal-Gowns-Features-New-Arrivals

Jessica McClintock used to have some really cute wedding dresses, but looking at their site, I'm not loving anything there.

Also, check out Nordstrom's- they have a surprising number of styles/price:
 http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6005465/0~2376776~2374327~6005464~6005465?origin=6027689_Select+a+Wedding+Party+Role6027689

gretchen333

Your wedding sounds a lot like mine! We are getting married outside of a cabin in the mountains, and plan for it to be very casual, as well.

I went shopping with an open mind and regret buying a more formal dress. I highly suggest you do NOT buy a dress until the wedding gets closer b/c you may change your mind as it does. I now have this formal Allure gown for $700 that I am trying to sell  because I bought a much less formal gown for $150 (which is what I always said I wanted - no train, informal, flowey, yadda yadda yadda....)

With that said, check out Nordstroms online. You can order a handfull of dresses with free shipping, try them on, and then send the ones you don't want back for only a $6 shipping fee.

This is mine! It totally fits my bohemian/hippy style and is everything I always said I wanted! I just wish I had not bought that fancy gown months and months ago!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3082202/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014155?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2374331&P=1

browneeprincess

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'm looking to spend $400 or less on my dress.
 
I thought it was too early to buy a dress but a friend of mine told me that I should get on it. I actually want to work on bridesmaid dresses because I know what I have in mind (chocolate dresses-tea length with a pink sash). I will definitely keep an open mind and give myself time to find a dress.

I will let you all know when I find something. Thanks again for all the suggestions. Now it's time to just try things on .

dizzinea

try destination weddings, or even ivory prom dresses
http://www.promgirl.com/shop/color-dresses/ivory-dresses

this site has niki white destination wedding gowns, they are really pretty and not too fussy
http://www.frenchnovelty.com/p/NKW16510/Niki+White+Destination+Wedding+Dress+16510.html

barbandwayne

Congratulations! 

I am getting married next month in the park. I looked a long time for a short dress then finally figured it out. I looked for a dress with all the parts (neckline, bodice, waistline) I wanted except for the length, then had the seamstress cut it off. She did however give me the look of horror first. But it turned out fabulous. I bought mine at a gently used shop in the neighboring town. It was actually a dress that a bride had bought and then changed her mind and picked out a new one so this one hadn't been worn or altered. I love it and can hardly wait for everyone else to see it. Good luck!

dannag75

Congrats!!

The Limited now has a wedding line and the two dresses they have are simple - no train - and are about $300.

Also some Nicole Millers may work.

Definitely try some dresses on to see what silhoutte you like, etc. Good luck!!

colovegirl

Wow!! Congratulation!! Personally, a tulle wedding gowns can accentuate the floating felling for bride. And tulle fabric is breathable and comfortable for outdoor wedding.

browneeprincess

Thanks everyone. I actually just bought my dress this past thursday. It is an Alfred Angelo and fit right in my price range ($325).  It was the length I was looking for and it's actually ivory. My sash will be petunia pink, not the blue one in the picture. I also choose  bridesmaid dresses and the dress for my flowergirl all in one day. I highly recommend Bridal and Formal for anyone who lives in Cincinnati. They were very helpful and friendly.

Here is my dress: http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=a548aa70-dac5-4ec8-a36d-3dd331933eb4&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=0&colorId1=

Here is a pic of the bridesmaid dress. The dress will be expresso and the sash part will be petunia pink: http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=ee52a033-7c1e-4691-bac7-b3da464bf338&categoryID=772f03c9-de43-4942-bfa0-da77e21ebd65&pg=1&colorId1=

awick14

I love it, so not me but it is really cute.