$500 Dress Budget

lrutko

I'm starting to plan for my wedding and have an extremely minimal budget for a dress.  I would love to go somewhere other than David's and House of Brides (too many bad experiences from friends), but I don't know which stores have dresses in this range.  I'm in Downers Grove, and the wedding will be in the Geneva, but I'm definitely willing to travel to find an affordable, beautiful dress.I appreciate your suggestions!

TheMorrisseys

The Crystal Bride in Geneva is WONDERFUL! I found a dress there I had to have, but couldn't afford it. I ended up getting it off Ebay for $499 -- over 70% off the price in salons. Just a thought!

jess&lane52804

I know this is slightly above your budget, but Wtoo dresses run around $600. They're cute and most have a modern twist to them, but the ones I tried on were thin. To me it seems like your best bet is to shop around and then make your actual order online from netbride, RK bridal, or Pearl's place. These are all reputable online vendors who have saved brides hundreds of dollars. Also, you could get a bridesmaid dress in white. Some of the full length bridesmaid dresses from JCrew are really classy and I frequently see them pictured in real weddings in Bride's magazine. Check out http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_Bride.jsp(Also sign up for JCrew emails for 20% off!)Another option is to purchase a sample or used dress. Ebay has a large selection of used dresses.One thing to consider if you're on a budget is alterations, which can really add up.

creese72

I second Wtoo.  I actually purchased a Wtoo dress - tried on at Eva's and purchased from Pearl's Place for $400.

creese72

You can also try sample dresses - there are a number of stores that sell them.

Ainslie325

Try the Brides Against Breast Cancer sales (once worn dresses). Store samples might also be your friend (particularly if you're not exceedingly tall and will be hemming the greyed portion of the hem (hems often get a little discolored from being tried on and worn around the store). Craigslist, EBay, PreOwnedWeddingDresses (I think that's the name of the site)-- just be sure you've vetted the real thing at the salons before you order online. Also try the Trash to Treasure board on The Nest. Online retailers like Pearl's Place, Netbride, etc. will often have new gowns at drastically discounted rates. I had a terrible experience at a HOB brick and mortar store (Glen Ellyn) and would never recommend anyone go there. I am unimpressed with their anonymous, guerrilla smear campaigns against other local bridal salons and wouldn never give them my business (both becasue of my personal experience with the store and tactics that I generally find unscrupulous). Good luck! It can be done. I was a two dress bride and just sold the gown I decided not to wear (a once worn La Sposa by Pronovias "Melodia") for $400 exactly.

jenniferandstephen

Crystal Bride was wonderful to work with on my limited budget as well. I explained that I was willing to look at samples to save money and Nancy (I think she's a manager there?) showed me a lot of high-end bridesmaids gowns that could be ordered in white or ivory. I was determined to buy there after how much time she spent with me even though I didn't have oodles to spend on a gown. After I liked a particular BM gown that even had a small train, she had me try on a bridal gown that was close to $2000 and you could hardly see the difference (the material was more luxurious of course, but no one else would know). Anyway, sorry for the rave, but I really like that salon. You can also try higher end bridesmaid lines (like Belsoie or Jim Hjelm Occassions) or try to catch trunk shows of more affordable lines like Casablanca, Dessy, etc. I've even been able to find Maggie Sotteros that come in around $600 after trunk show discounts or first-visit discounts. Also, Eva's in Orland has a relatively wide selection of more affordable dresses. Good luck! You'll find something you love that is also affordable.

jenniferandstephen

Oops, I meant Eva's in Oak Lawn, I haven't been to the other one.

Danaz1

I am selling a once worn dress that I got from the brides room for 900. I am trying to sell it for 500. Let me know if you want more info or pics. Danaz1@yahoo.com

Noron

My dress was $550 from Kasia's Bridal.  PIB.

raeyn

Depending on whether you are looking for a ball gown-type dress or something a little simpler, department stores could also be a good option. I bought my dress (PIB) from Nordstrom for $480. The benefit of going this route is that the necessary alterations tend to be less extensive and thus much less expensive.

Sameena99

I am selling a dress I bought from a sample sale for $750, I ended up buying a different dress, so this one hasnt been worn. I am selling it for $500, but I'm negotiable. Email me if youre interested! sameenaasrar@yahoo.com

JulieBadulie

I bought my dress from BCBG. They have some bridal alternatives, and I am really happy with it. Prior to this, I purchased a beautiful sample gown from Priscilla of Boston. It would fit a street size 8. It is so lovely, but I ended up having a much less formal event than I'd originally thought. If you provide your email, I will send photos of the dress.

chosen175

Don't forget to check out the TTT board - lots of ladies sell their dresses after the wedding.

lissa5125

I purchased my Mori Lee dress at Here Comes the Bride in Addison for $550.00.  They had a lot dresses that were within that price range.

teamL09

If you have the patience try one of those 'running of the brides' dress sales at Filene's Basement! My good friend, who's wedding I was just in, bought her beautiful Pronovias dress there for $700! Lots of bridal salons also have sample sales, sometimes offering discounts up to 50% which may be worth checking out. I say find a few dresses you really like even if out of your price range... and you can always try to get it online cheaper (tons of online vendors) or try to find it used once. Good luck!

marafaye

My dress was a whopping $320 at House of Brides, and had a fantastic experience there. My dress is a Mori Lee, which seems to be an affordable designer. I've heard really good things about Wedding Belles in Barrington too.

lrutko

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I appreciate all your suggestions! I checked out Net Bride.com and it is awesome, and made appointments at Here Comes the Bride and Kasia's. For all the ladies who have sample gowns for sale, I'd love to see pictures!  My email is lorski45@comcast.net Again, thanks!

lmb5109

I got my dress from Kasia's Bridal in Chicago on Irving & Austin. She has a large clearance section and my dress was $495, original price was $1500!

dubiousscruples

I also got my dress at Kasia's! (They were great!) It's Mori Lee and it was only $400! I also got half off on my veil because I bought it the same day at the July sale. It also seems like alterations & bustling might be cheaper through Kasia's. I haven't had it done yet, but they quoted about $300, which seems much lower than other prices I've seen from other brides.

TheresaSea

I purchased my wedding dress through www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.  Check them out!  My dress cost $250, and it's exactly what I was looking for.  The dresses are all donated by bridal shoppes, designers, and other brides.  They're washed, and the proceeds from the dresses are used as a kind of "Make a Wish" for brides with terminal breast cancer.  My boss told me about this organization, and I thought that it was definitely something at least worth checking out.  If you go to the website, you can see when they tour back in Illinois again.  Last Feb the show was in Mount Prospect, and I was living in Batavia at the time and took the drive. 

runenyc

I have been buying dresses like they they are going out of style (what can I say, I'm indecisive about this!). I have at least 2 dresses that I'm looking to sell since I finally found the one I'm using for my wedding. One's from JCrew and the other is a custom wedding dress. If you're interested in seeing some pictures, let me know. My email is my user id (on here) AT Yahoo. Thanks, Erin

raeyn

This post has been so bad for me... I'm now reconsidering the dress I bought! Anyone selling an ivory dress, size 2-6, for under $500 please email me too! lindsraeyn at hotmail dot com