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Wedding Dress question - Used / Sample

So as I get into all of this wedding planning business, one of the funnest parts (of course!) is dress shopping!

My taste in dresses seems to be exceeding my willingness to spend a lot of money - I am an extreme bargain shopper in my DTD life, love eBay and craigslist, etc., and love to find a great deal! 

I did try on dresses when I was home for the holidays with my mom, and found some that I liked.  However, I have lately been purusing the pre-owned/sample wedding gown sites, and some of the deals are just incredible.  My budget is pretty flexible, but I would rather wear a $2000 dress that retailed for $4000, all things being equal.

Have any of you had great/terrible experiences with samples/pre-worn dresses?  I know that the dress condition can vary of course - but is there a specific site / location that has great samples?

I first and foremost want to find a dress that I love, but knowing it originally cost much more than I paid would definitely make my bargain-loving heart happy. 

TIA!

ETA:  Forgot to add, I am pretty much "sample-sized" so would not need much in the way of alterations if a dress is street size 4-6 (which is what I came across when trying on IRL dresses)

Re: Wedding Dress question - Used / Sample

  • gmc22gmc22 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know the feeling! While wedding dress shopping, I found that I'm instinctively drawn to the dresses that cost a small fortune! haha - I don't have a whole lot of budget restrictions either, but COMPLETELY know what you mean about the gratification of getting a nicer dress at a lower price... Ultimately, I bought my dress (new) at Anne Gregory for the Bride in Mt. Lebanon, however, I found this great webiste (well blog really) that has pre-owned wedding dress listings :) Now, I can't tell you much about experiences with buying/selling etc but I do love to look at all of the pre-owned dresses at work to pass the time!! HTH!!

    http://www.oncewed.com/used-wedding-dresses/

    I browse through this blog daily... it has some fun DIY ideas too - enjoy!
  • missyt180missyt180 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Awesome, thanks! 

    I did find that site yesteday, as well as preownedweddingdresses.com!  I just love Monique Lhullier and Vera Wang, and being able to purchase one for under $2000 is hard for me to resist!

    When I was home over the holidays, I went to Exquisite Bride in Murrysville - I tried on a gorgeous sample sale ball gown that was Maggie Sottero.  It was priced at $140!  Yes, under $200!!  I came thisclose to buying it, but as it was literally 3 days after my engagement, couldn't commit. 

    I also am finding that I'm not too picky about dresses - people (well, ok, "Say Yes to the Dress") talk about finding "the one", but I have found several that I can see myself in.  I think that is fueling my desire to get a sample / pre-worn dress.
  • gmc22gmc22 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Oh yeah - I know... I found SEVERAL that I loved and could see myself wearing, however, when I put on the dress that I ended up buying, I didn't want to take it off!! I never had the 'moment' that everyone talks about on say yes to the dress (LOVE the show though!) but it was just so comfy and pretty and I loved it more than the others I had tried on...

    $140 is UNBELIEVABLE! :) I also understand about not wanting to commit... it's a tough decision! I am also IN LOVE with Monique and Vera, and I ended up buying a Monique dress - I've wanted one for as long as I can remember! I had some appointments in NYC, but cancelled them when I found the dress that I bought! I know you're in LA but have you ever considered going to a sample sale at Kleinfeld's in NYC? Or maybe something similar in LA? How about a trunk show? Just some thoughts...
  • edited December 2011
    I think that the dresses that are for sample sales would be fine to wear because they've never been worn outside, only as a try on dress, and there's not much you can mess with there.  As for pre-owned, I'd beware.  I am a big eBay fan too, but that being said, you don't always get what you pay foron that site.
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  • edited December 2011
    I definitely would have considered it as a way to save. However, I am drawn to really unique dresses (like LaFemme's on here) and therefore, I cared less about the designer and more about the style.

    Also, the look and feel of the fabric was really important to me, so I'd want to see it in person before buying.  But that's just me.

    I thought about going to Klenfield's if I couldn't find anything locally, but was pleasantly surprised by the selection at MB Bride. They may not be as higher-end/designer as you are looking for, but they do have Sottero and other lines. I ended up with a Jasmine Couture dress and really liked it.
  • m_harmon_11m_harmon_11 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Have you taken a look at this website?  http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/

    I didn't end up getting my dress from there, but I did search it a whole bunch when I was looking for different styles and ideas for dresses.
     
    Hope it helps, 
    Mel  
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