Many, many dress questions.

bella3609

So I'm considering having a dress made - my dress budget is $650, which needs to include alterations and undergarments (although not veil, I have a separate budget for that and am making it myself), and I am really favoring the vintage-inspired look of the mermaid silhouette with a lace overlay and cap sleeves. I don't like beading or anything sparkly, just really nice details. I'm definitely not a strapless kinda girl, or a ballroom style kinda girl (though there are some gorgeous ones out there!).

So my questions are this (sorry there are just... so many):

Would having a dress made help me get that kind of look for less, or would it end up still going over my budget?
If the former is the case, does anybody know of good-quality and affordable local dressmakers/seamstresses to recommend? (I'm in St. Pete but willing to travel within reason)
If the latter is the case, are there any good bridal salons to recommend (other than David's Bridal), outlets, or vintage clothing stores where this type of thing may be found?

That's just the biggest, messiest array of dress-related questions ever. I still need to start actually trying things on to see what looks best, but I'm trying to get some sort of game plan in place before going ott there!

Thanks!

cjohnsen2010

There are several resale shops that carry wedding dresses.

bananafanafofashley

I don't know that having one made would be much cheaper, especially with your specifications. If you aren't pressed for time I would suggest trying on gowns until you find one you like and then searching for them used. Keep in mind if you get a dress cheap enough a seamstress can turn it into a mermaid. If you find one that is strapless keep your mind open, there are boleros that make gowns look amazing. I'm with you on the strapless and ball gown thing. My original can't afford it dress was Allure 8764. I forgot it ;] When I started trying things on my mind totally changed and now I'm digging Maggie Sottero Desirae.

bella3609

That's a good point about the seamstress altering option that I realized... after I posted. If I found a strapless that would work, perhaps I could have somebody add cap sleeves... thanks! The hunt proceeds...