Dream Dress: Vera Wang's Eliza

futuremrswoodzy

So I am obsessed with the Eliza dress by Vera Wang. Unfortunately, way out of my budget. I found one a replica on Etsy for $700, but the dress maker is out of Greece and that scares me. Plus I'd like to try it on beforehand. My budget is $1,000. What are your recommendations?! Helpppp, I really, really want this gown or one that looks just like it. Are dressmakers really expensive? I would assume so. Just figured some of you may have been in this predicament before. Thank you!

KatWAG

Honestly, I think you need to accept that this isn't going to be your dress. Even if you can find this dress used and in your size it will still cost a lot more than 1,000.

Try looking at Vera WangWhite, they are beautiful dress that are in your dress range.

It would not be possible to re create this dress, with a seamstress for a 1,000. And If you find someone who says they can make a copy of that dress, I would be very suspicious of the quality  What make Vera Wang gowns so amazing is the fabrics and craftsmanship. Neither can be replicated for $1,000
 
ETA: my dream dress was Monique Lhuillier Sunday Rose, but it was $12,000

Lowell14

Personally, I would take the picture to a reputable seamstress and see if they can price it for you OR I would see if I could find a dress similar to this design by another designer. I know its not an ideal scenario. Good Luck!

Maggie0829

Have you even tried this dress on?  If not, you should before you "fall in love" with it.  What you love in pictures 9 times out of 10 will not be what you love on yourself.

Take this picture with you to salons and tell them this is what you are looking for but in a $1000 budget.  There are plenty of dresses that are similar in style that you could try.

But you need to try things on.

winelover123

My dress is custom made - it will end up costing me about $800 including the fabric and that is for a fairly simple, tea-length dress. I'm no seamstress, but I'm willing to bet that all of those layers will kick the cost of labor up. I'd definitely find a reputable seamstress and price it out with her though (don't forget to include the cost of fabric). I've found that the cost of labor greatly depends on location. I've seen quite a few similar styles though all over the internet so try to find a similar style and try them on. GL!

futuremrswoodzy

Thanks so much to everyone! Pricing out seamstresses now, and will be trying on the dress before I make any orders. Thanks so much again.

-D

tiny speck

I also replied to your later post about custom made dresses, but I wanted to say here too that I originally was swooning over Vera Wang's Eliza and Diana dresses from browsing online, and I also knew I could never afford them, even used. Ideally I wanted to spend under $1500 and was so so lucky to get my dress from Etsy for less than half of that...

Anyways, my point here is that when I actually tried on dresses (not Vera Wangs but a few different styles including big poofy ones kinda like the VWs), I realized that these styles were too much for me, and I ended up going with a very slim style, totally different from what I thought I wanted. So yes, be sure to try on different types of dresses; you might be surprised!

sonyadavison

I tried on this dress too. I liked it a lot. but in the end I went with something simpler. I think the complicated lower half may easily go out of fashion. But if you custom made it... you can change bits as you please which is great!

Here's a pic from the bridal boutique though.

futuremrswoodzy

I'm having the opposite dilemma. When I went dress shopping last week I tried on mostly slimmer, lacy styles that I originally envisioned myself in, and only two of the poofier dresses. I feel like this dress captures the essence of everything I want in my dress, and that's the idea I'm obsessed with. I guess we'll see next weekend when I try it on! :D

And may I ask who you ordered through on Etsy?

-Danielle



In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dream-dress-vera-wangs-eliza?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:3fddd2c5-7053-4889-9e07-d9c580eeef60Post:63c7ea85-d7be-47f2-bee3-7cf0ecd7a10e">Re: Dream Dress: Vera Wang's Eliza</a>:
[QUOTE]I also replied to your later post about custom made dresses, but I wanted to say here too that I originally was swooning over Vera Wang's Eliza and Diana dresses from browsing online, and I also knew I could never afford them, even used. Ideally I wanted to spend under $1500 and was so so lucky to get my dress from Etsy for less than half of that... Anyways, my point here is that when I actually tried on dresses (not Vera Wangs but a few different styles including big poofy ones kinda like the VWs), I realized that these styles were too much for me, and I ended up going with a very slim style, totally different from what I thought I wanted. So yes, be sure to try on different types of dresses; you might be surprised!
Posted by tiny speck[/QUOTE]

futuremrswoodzy

Omg, it's gorgeous. And looks beautiful on you! Your photos just made me love it that much more-- thanks a lot! ;)

The only dresses I've tried on so far have been quite "simple", or as my mom would say "plain"... so I'm hoping this might be the perfect combo. I can't wait to try it on... hopefully it looks as great on me as it does you!

<3 D


In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_dream-dress-vera-wangs-eliza?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:3fddd2c5-7053-4889-9e07-d9c580eeef60Post:7da624bf-13c6-46db-bbaf-74c3ee32a8ff">Re: Dream Dress: Vera Wang's Eliza</a>:
[QUOTE]I tried on this dress too. I liked it a lot. but in the end I went with something simpler. I think the complicated lower half may easily go out of fashion. But if you custom made it... you can change bits as you please which is great! Here's a pic from the bridal boutique though.
Posted by sonyadavison[/QUOTE]

zalthawadi

i can sell you mine for half the retail price.  email me on uhc@agagulf.com

zalthawadi

i can sell you mine for half the retail price.  email me on uhc@agagulf.com

missdelilah

OP:  Where there specific aspects of the dress that you loved?  That would be the key to finding something similar that you also love.  

But yes, PPs are right, go in and try on other dresses.  If you want, email that pic to some local salons and they'll pull similar styles for you.  Even go to an upscale boutique and outright lie about your budget so that you can try this, and that may solve the problem for you.  You may not love it on you.

I wouldn't buy anything this complex from an inexpensive retailer or seamstress. It's likely to end up a disaster (sorry, I'm not a seamstress myself, I just know this from my own experience of having dresses made).  

I really hope that you find a dress that you love in your budget.  There are tons of designers who do dresses in your price range, but keep in mind that anything with loads of fabric will likely cost you more.  Otherwise, I've heard good reviews of the second hand wedding dress and couture sites, but avoid eBay.  

Good luck in your search!

manateehugger

Zombie thread. @KnotPorscha