Dresses under $1000

annielongarini · February 2010

I've been looking at Mia Solano gowns (as I have a similar budget to you) and I find them to be absolutely beautiful for the money (typically around the $800+ mark) check
http://www.miasolano.com/x_searchdealer.asp?post=1

good luck!

emt167 · February 2010

You should check out J.Crew (www.jcrew.com). They have a wide variety of dresses under 1k, they are made from nice fabrics and are well made. They don't carry the dresses in all the stores, but you can check the website to see which ones do have them. Btw if you open a J.Crew credit card you get 10% off your first purchase...

Icedregular · February 2010

I second Camilla's in Arlington - they carry Nicole Miller who is super affordable. Or you can just look on her website as well. Also Marry and Tux in Nashua is affordable and tax free!
Don't rule out JCrew and Ann Taylor. I already bought my dress, but would have definitely gone for the $500 Ann Taylor dress that is available now. AND when they have sales I've already seen it marked down to $300. If you are in Boston you can try the dresses on and feel the textures at the Chestnut Hill Mall and Atrium. Some are nicer than others. Oh and don't forget the running of the Brides is Feb 19th at the Hynes convention for Filene's Basement. Cheezy as it is - nothing is over $1k. Even if you get one you like you are all set! Queens in Belmont does great alterations too. Good luck

sarahjoel · February 2010

You should head to the Filene's Basement Running of the brides on 2/19 in Boston. Its a bit crazy but all the dresses are priced $299-699.

Emily1224 · February 2010

I know you are looking for places in MA, however, Wishing Well Bridal in East Providence, RI has beautiful dresses well under $1K and the service there is amazing. Good Luck!

leopardsass · February 2010

You have to check out Maggie Sottero...beautiful dresses at very reasonable prices! I just bought mine for $700. Go to NH and save on the sales/luxury tax...I bought my dress from Madeleine's Daughter in Portsmouth-had a great experience there with my mom & sisters!

Supermama4 · February 2010

If you aren't stuck on having "this year's style", you can ask a bridal salon to show you a previous year's designs. My daughter found a beautiful gown at her local independent salon, a Maggie Sotero style but not the "newest" design. It was $650 and is gorgeous, and exactly what she had in mind.

CJRev · February 2010

I would highly suggest Filene's Basement Running of the Brides. I got my dress there when they were in boston in August. My suggestion, though, would be to go around 10:30 or 11am. That's when we got there, and the line was gone, and all the dresses were back on the rack. You definitely need to be prepared to stick it out and try on like a million dresses, but if you have the right girls with you (I brought my mom, sister, soon to be MIL and SIL) it can be really fun. We made a day of it, and went out to lunch after to celebrate! One other piece of advice I would give you is to bring your own full length mirror (and write your name on the back). EVERYONE brings their own mirror, but I didn't, and people get super b**chy about you looking in their mirror. But in the end it wwas worth it... we got my dress for $499, and after alterations (of $450!!), it was all under $1000. I don't know exactly what designer my dress is for sure, but I think I found it on Paloma Blaca's website, and saw retail prices of like $2800! So we definitely got a great deal! Good Luck!

laratherese · February 2010

J.Crew in Chestnut Hill (Atrium Mall)! That's where I got mine. I also caught wind that The Limited is selling dresses under $300 starting this summer http://perfectbound.blogspot.com/2010/02/did-you-hear-limited-debuts-wedding.html

ashnreg05 · February 2010

Allure Bridal $610 bucks.

jk&bgwedding · February 2010

If you want a more simple dress, or something you can dress up with details of your own, most bridesmaids dresses come in white or cream shades. Aria Bridesmaids also has a line of wedding gowns, and they have a showroom on Newbury St where you can make an appt to try on styles. Very affordable. I'm getting my dress here.

rmsharpe · February 2010

I'm another Boston bride & I'll second these:

Precious Memories in Malden, MA
Bride's Choice, Waltham, MA

Both had tons under $1000 and I ended up under than including tailoring! Both are super helpful too!

ashleylepczyk · February 2010

Not familiar with MA, but I was shocked to find my dream dress for about $800. Designer is Emerald Bridal.

http://www.emeraldbridal.net/styles_detail.cfm?SID=599

I'm going to add a beaded belt/sash to give it some bling, but all-in-all it will still be under $1,000.

Good luck finding yours!

jlmynes · February 2010

Not sure where is MA you are located but WTOO dressed by Watters usually run until $1000. If you search on their website for retailers near you, I'm sure you'll be able to find a beautiful dress for well under your price! I bought mine from the WTOO collection and it was $850 with only $100 for alterations. Happy shopping!

www.watters.com

CaitlinB516 · February 2010

Try Chryssie's Bridal in Canton Center. It's small, not fancy, and out of the way but the staff knows what they're talking about. They don't get commission so I felt absolutely no pressure and they make you feel like the most gorgeous person in the world in every dress. I felt like every dress was around the 1k mark, some a little over, some a little under. I bought a Casablanca bridal gown ($999) and they also carry maggie sottero.

reeree820 · February 2010

Here is what I would recommend doing. Try on a bunch of dresses at a local shop. Tell them your budget is $1000. Find one you like and order it online.

I bought my dress at a small local shop and it didn't need alterations. (I'm petite as well). I was so excited about it... I just bought it. Mine came out to just under $1000 with the veil. But, I found it online a couple days later for about $200 cheaper... exact same dress. Mine is a Mori Lee... it is absolutely stunning!! But, seriously, try on a bunch of dresses and see if you can't get it cheaper online.

kristy2590 · February 2010

HI, i am also very petite. im 5 feet 105 lbs and i just got a maggie sotorro dress form hillary's bridal in plymouth for $750 and its NOT your davids bridal dress at all cause i have a problem witht that look of so "american bride" if you will. Hillary's is amazing and friendly and pull lots of strings!

kristy2590 · February 2010

maggie sottero* sorry. looks like everyone else loves them too. and dont forget they look worse on the modle for some reason because all the dresses i loved looked AWEFUL online. Goodluck!!

kirchhoa · February 2010

I got my dress at Elegance by Carbonneau in Worcester. They had a ton of dresses that were very affordable and well under $1000, and they were very helpful.

DMCConsiglio · February 2010

I got my dress from a small store in California. That may not sound helpful but the website is up and running, Watters.com and they have dresses categorized by over $1,100 and under $1,000. I went to a retailer and got a dress from teh over $1,100 for $800 with veil and tiara. My recommendation is to use the store finder feature and go in explaining your problem; in this down economy it seemed like they were happy to move a dress and took my issues into consideration without me having to haggle. Also, Morilee.com has reasonably priced dresses. I kno wyou said not David's but they do come in petites. Good luck, and it is so nice to know someone else is in this boat!

karme01 · February 2010

Hello, this is my first time posting on this forum..... wish I had checked it out sooner!! Lots of great info, I am from Central MA and actually found my dress on-line for half the price of a bridal shop. (I knew which one I wanted... tried it on first) I am looking to get rid of a previous dress which I bought for "another occasion" yet never wore. It was purchased from David's (I know yousaid you were not into Davids Bridal) It has been hanging in the bag in the closet ever since. All tags and tickets are attached, never worn, altered, or changed in any way. I also have the Petticoat for under... again all tags attached. Sorry, not trying to sound like a sales man...... but thining of putting it on Craigs List and wanted to throw it out there since you are local!! Original price was over 600... but could make a great deal?? If you are petite, not sure you will love the style since I picked it because I am tall! However, it is a size 12 (fits like a 10). strapless bodice with classic A-line skirt. I could send pics or do whatever if you are interested in checking it out??

Kermie53 · February 2010

I would also recommend Wtoo dresses, which are the less expensive line of Watters & Watters. I was thisclose to buying an $800 Wtoo lace dress (new) that looked sooo much more expensive than it was.

Like others have said, also check out preownedweddingdresses.com and oncewed.com. You can find a lot of people selling dresses that are brand new, they just changed their minds on. Good luck!

ladibyrd · February 2010

I totally recommend Jay's Bridal (jaysbridal.com). I'm lucky enough to be in Gainesville, where the store is, but I'm sure the website staff is just as friendly.

Another thing to keep in mind is to always look for sales at the bridal shop! Some have really great deals.

Good luck!

Clairebearcakes · February 2010

ALFRED ANGELO! get on their mailing list and you can get a coupon for 300 off. I bought my dress there last week and it looks like it costs thousands! But I only paid 800 after the coupon!

trixiekid1 · February 2010

I am in Boston too. Go to Aria Bridal in the Providence Place mall. All the dresses I tried on were very nice and were much below $1000. They let you try things on without too much hovering and pushing as well.

paulandkatie · February 2010

My budget was under 1k as well, and I began my shopping looking at dresses right at $1,000 but then quickly realized the cost of alterations (I'm tall and need extra length) so I adjusted to $500-700 as my price range for the actual dress. Each bridal boutique I went to could help me find dresses in my price range but I did have to strongly state a few times that I wouldn't look at something more than my budget.

My dress is a Mori Lee (4524) and I paid a little over $600 for it.
Also, some Maggie Sotterro dresses are under $1000.
Other desingers I looked at were Emerald and Allure. Your dress (in your price range) is out there somewhere! Just avoid the ritzy boutiques (like Kleinfelds) because the dress is marked up A LOT! I found the same dress at a ritzy boutique for $1200 that was $650 at another.

Other $$ saving tip is go to bridal extravaganzas. They typically have gown boutiques there and will give you an 'exclusive' discount of 10-20% off.

Good Luck!!

britany_ritch · February 2010

You can google "brides against breast cancer" its a traveling event with TONS of donated dresses (from stores, designers, people etc.) that are WAY marked down! Mine had tags for $2600 and I paid 600! PLUS it is all for a GREAT cause!
I think the next show is in Seattle in early March, but they go everywhere so check it out!

MC22 · February 2010

Try Camilla's in Arlington. I found a few really beautiful Maggie Sottero dresses there for less than $1k.

brendanamy · February 2010

I'm not sure what type of style you're looking for, but try Nordstrom.com and JCrew.com. When you go to Nordstrom's site, click on "Women" then "Dress Shop" then "Wedding Dresses". They're a little more informal and are not ball gowns or anything like that. But they're very pretty and VERY affordable. The bonus is that you can return it (as long as the tags are on) at ANY time. So you can take your time trying it on and showing it to friends. You can return it via mail or in person no questions asked.

JCrew.com also has a wedding section (at the top of the page) and they have very beautifuil dresses... some over $1K but most are under. Select JCrew stores have these dresses in sample sizes so you can at least try it on in-person and then order online (and get it in no time).

I refused to spend more than $1K on my dress as well... and got mine at Norstrom... so I love sharing those ideas! Good luck!

DORIHAHN · February 2010

Alfred Angelo has great dresses!! Got mine for $850. and I must say, it's beautiful, well made, and simply perfect!!! I looked in the knot magazine and only looked at dresses in my price range, then looked on line to find out who sold them in my area. I went to the store well-prepared with the style numbers and even some pictures for the sales person to get a feel about what I was looking for, then I was VERY clear as to my price limit... She was able to show me a bunch of great dresses and it was really fun--she even thanked me for being so prepared (said it made her job easy and fun too!!). Hope that helped!

Dresses under $1000

Re: Dresses under $1000

Choose Another Board

Search Boards