Ethereal Beachy Dress Help

kynephrus · May 2012

Even though our engagement is still fairly new, I already feel like I've spent an eternity looking for just the right dress. Because we're having a beach wedding, and I don't particularly care for "traditional" wedding attire, I've been looking for ethereal, flowy, breezy, easy to move and dance in, bohemian dresses. Oy vey, did NOT think it would be this difficult.

I found some Saja dresses that I'm ABSOLUTELY in love with. Perfect mix of easy to wear, informal, and breezy beachy goodness...but I can't afford them

My budget is SUPER low, so I thought maybe some of you would have some ideas? Do you know of any place where I can get dresses like these, or fitting my description, for very cheap? I'm also looking into just getting one made, but it's so hard to tell who to trust...

Any ideas?

(Here are the dresses for comparison...and yes, I'm open to either long or short, I don't really care as long as it's soft and easy)

BrittneyRN · May 2012

David's bridal has something similar. I'd also try Ann Taylor, J Crew etc. Good luck!

meganb1977 · May 2012

Check department stores like Macy's or Penney's in the junior department too, especially if you're open to a knee length dress it will give you more options.

I found my dress which I think is ethereal/beachy at a sample sale for under $99 so don't rule out boutiques other than David's Bridal if you can wear a sample size. Although I did put some money into alterations and embellishments!

[Deleted User] · May 2012

JCPenney has two that look similar to what you're looking for: one and two (they're links, clicky!). Check the other department stores as well, white dresses are popping up all over the place this season (:

kynephrus · May 2012

Do you mind me asking which boutique you got yours from? I don't know much about sample sales (or sample sale sizes) but I'm more than open to that idea! Just don't know how to find out about these sales...is there somewhere that I can get notifications about them?

Also, I see that your date is tomorrow! CONGRATS and good luck :)

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ethereal-beachy-dress-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:2307505f-e3dd-4954-977e-07581699298ePost:f3ca8770-1fad-4598-8e38-673baaa067d2">Re: Ethereal Beachy Dress Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Check department stores like Macy's or Penney's in the junior department too, especially if you're open to a knee length dress it will give you more options. I found my dress which I think is ethereal/beachy at a sample sale for under $99 so don't rule out boutiques other than David's Bridal if you can wear a sample size. Although I did put some money into alterations and embellishments!
Posted by meganb1977[/QUOTE]

kynephrus · May 2012

Ooooooohhhh! Thank you for the links! Neither are *exactly* perfect, but they're GREAT finds. I will definitely keep a look out for more like these. Thanks!

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ethereal-beachy-dress-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:2307505f-e3dd-4954-977e-07581699298ePost:86e6e1e8-caa3-4a5e-acc5-0164654e329b">Re: Ethereal Beachy Dress Help</a>:
[QUOTE]JCPenney has two that look similar to what you're looking for: one and two (they're links, clicky!). Check the other department stores as well, white dresses are popping up all over the place this season (:
Posted by lissadelsol[/QUOTE]

kynephrus · May 2012

Already checked J Crew, but haven't tried Ann Taylor yet...thanks! :)

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ethereal-beachy-dress-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:2307505f-e3dd-4954-977e-07581699298ePost:f755b975-869a-471c-9461-88f861b7f2ba">Re: Ethereal Beachy Dress Help</a>:
[QUOTE]David's bridal has something similar. I'd also try Ann Taylor, J Crew etc. Good luck!
Posted by BrittneyRN[/QUOTE]

meganb1977 · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_ethereal-beachy-dress-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:2307505f-e3dd-4954-977e-07581699298ePost:1aedc4b3-ffd7-428e-a853-74e1d1eb1953">Re: Ethereal Beachy Dress Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you mind me asking which boutique you got yours from? I don't know much about sample sales (or sample sale sizes) but I'm more than open to that idea! Just don't know how to find out about these sales...is there somewhere that I can get notifications about them? Also, I see that your date is tomorrow! CONGRATS and good luck :) In Response to Re: Ethereal Beachy Dress Help :
Posted by kynephrus[/QUOTE]

Actually my ticker is messed up, I thought it would be saying how long it had been since the wedding (which was three weeks ago) and I've got to take the time and figure out how to fix it! But thanks anyway :-)

The boutique was called Bustles and Bows and it's located in Metairie, Louisiana where I live. I think the sample sizes usually run about street size 4-8 so they are on the smaller side. If you can wear those sizes and have time to shop it would be worth checking at least one or two boutiques to look into samples available for purchase. I think most shops usually have at least a few samples for sale and you might luck out and run into a special sale where they make a lot of samples available, the information on events like that should be available on the store's web site when you start looking around for different boutiques in your area and some of them do send out e-mails about their events that you can sign up for. If they don't have information online you can call and ask about the selection of samples available for purchase to see if it's worth a trip to that store. The only thing to be careful of with samples is any extra expense you'd have to put into having the gown cleaned and any tears, missing embellishments, or other problems you might have to get a seamstress to fix. Since I had thought I would be spending almost $1,000 on a dress I didn't mind paying $99 for the dress and then $100 to get it cleaned and have a missing panel replaced!

Hope you have great luck finding something just as ethereal and beachy as you want at a great price.

JennLax · May 2012

Since you're looking for such a classic and sleek look you can even try checking out bridesmaid dresses in white. It'll cut down your cost substantially. Here are a few examples (and you can always add on a sash or wrap around to get the effect of some of the inspiration photos you posted):

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/6610/?color=ivory&colorid=114#.T68gPMXhCf4

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/lx152/?color=ivory&colorid=114#.T68f9sXhCf4

http://www.dessy.com/dresses/lelarose/lx148/?color=ivory&colorid=114#.T68f-cXhCf4

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Chiffon-Gown-with-Ruched-Waist-and-Floral-Detail-231M15640_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

kcbee · May 2012

There are quite a few at David's Bridal, and you can search their casual/beachy style dresses via "destination." Definitely check out department stores as well. Good luck!!

kynephrus · May 2012

Thank you guys for all of your help so far. Still haven't found anything that fits me or fits the description, but I'm taking all of your recommendations into account, and it's been great getting suggestions that have widened my search area. Keep em coming!

I'm also looking into boutiques now, and going to sample sales, but it's harder than I thought to track down my style of dress at regular boutiques. If anyone has any suggestions for where I can look in the NY/NYC area, please let me know!

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