Wedding Gowns....

jamiebean · October 2010

I still have awhile till my wedding. But when should I start to look for my wedding gown? And where are some good places? I dont want anything that is made cheap, but I also don't want to spend a lot of money. I was looking to spend no more then $1,000. I was hoping to get a gown with the alterations around $1,000 (if possible). Is this not possible ? Someone told me David's Bridal is good just really expensive for alterations.....any suggestions? Please give me some feed back ! TIA

lisalaroc · October 2010

David's Bridal is the only place I know of that could keep you in that range with a brand new dress. There may be some mroe options if you look into "once worn" shops or buying a sample gown.

mandy122782 · October 2010

My dress was right around $1000 and it was not from David's Bridal. It depends what type of dress (train length, material, etc) and also depends what designer of course. My dress is Demetrios Bridal and like I said it was around $1000. I know I tried on some Maggie Sottero and Allure Bridal gowns that were around $1000. You could start to look online and then see what designers you like. Then look on their websites to see what bridal shops near you carry their dresses.

What area are you from? Maybe some of the girls can recommend shops near you.

Amerbutt81 · October 2010

My dress ran about $850 and we got it from Country Bride and Gent in Bensalem. I highly HIGHLY reccommend that salon-- Michelle was my salesperson, and is very honest. The manager, Sue, is so sweet, and worked really hard to fix a manufactuer's mistake.

[Deleted User] · October 2010

Sabrina Ann. http://www.sabrinaann.com/

http://www.thesamplerackpa.com/

High quality dresses at great prices.

dibsontop · October 2010

My dress was a Casablanca Bridal. It cost $750 plus about $125 in alterations. You can definitely find something for under 1k and not be limited to DB.

miguelhilary2010 · October 2010

My dress was $765, plus about $150-200 in alterations. I got it at Tesi Bridal in Ventnor, NJ. I highly recommend that store, but I know its a bit far from Philly (assuming you live around the city).

When you're shopping for your dress, just be aware that the more intricate the details are (lace, beading, etc) it will usually run a little more in alterations.

cll915 · October 2010

I got my dress for $350 at Group USA in Franklin Mills. We went there looking for fun Bridesmaids dresses 2 yrs before the wedding and didnt realize they had a bridal section. They had a small selection of dresses but a wide variety.

I was highly doubtful to find something at a store that was not specifically bridal so don't knock stores that are not specific to bridal, but have gowns. You never know what you will find.

I didnt need alteration, so i can't comment on that but with the price i paid i would have been well under $1,000 if i did need alterations.

a.lemma4 · October 2010

Amer - I got my dress at Country Bride and Gent in Bensalem also! My parents live not too far from there. I LOVE that place. I also highly recommend it!

My dress came in around 750 and I haven't had alterations done yet but I'm sure I'll pay less than 1000 all together. My dress is from the Mori Lee line. They have beautiful dresses and most are afforadable I think.

jennyinyellow · October 2010

I paid $300 for my dress at Davids. To get my alterations done there it was another $200. If I would have went somewhere else for alterations, I am positive I could have found someplace cheaper.

Bride_to_be_2011 · October 2010

Like amerbutt, my dress was around that price and I got my dress at Country Bride and Gent in Lansdale. So you can find dresses under 1k, and not only from David's. I bought my dress over a year in advance, but I was excited. You don't have to do that, you can get it around 8 months. Depending on designer it could take longer, so you would need to ask the bridal shop how long certain designers take. My dress came in within 6 months. Happy dress shopping!

cfblechman · October 2010

My wedding isnt until 2012 as well. I went dress shopping just for fun because I was at home so I went with my mom and my MOH (who still lives near my old house). We found one I thought I loved, but I wanted to go shopping with my FMIL back down here so I waited. I visted home again about a month later and wasnt so sure about it anymore so I asked about similar things just cause I wasnt sure and I totally found my dress! I wasnt expecting it nor was I planning for it! But we bought it then cause I knew that was the one.

So long story short. Feel free to go shopping whenever you have the opportunity to go with the people you love. Also it was a Maggie Sottero she is super affordable mine is about 900 before alterations.

Stacylynn702 · October 2010

My dress was under your budget and I bought it at Betty's Bridal in Clifton Heights. There is another location in Abington, I believe. I had a really great experience. I got my alterations done by a family friend though.

paprika28 · October 2010

I got my dress in DE, which is only a short trip down 95 from Philly... Bridal & Tuxedo shop on Kirkwood Highway. I got a sample dress, but it was only $500. I'm not counting on much for alterations, as all I really want is the front changed a little, and I might need a hem. Probably no more than $200. (Oh, and you save sales tax in DE...)

Not knocking DB, but I've never had good service going in there.

lisalaroc · October 2010

Hmm - this post is making me happy - for some reason I thought alterations would be like $500! I guess cause I'm so short

haha

jamiebean · October 2010

Thanks everyone for the feed back ! I think Im going to just check every place until I find the right one ! I cant wait to dress shop ! just dont want to rush into anything. But I'm def going to look at different places everywhere ! Appreciate the feed back guys !

Ms.BriarRose · October 2010

I got my dress from Brides and Grooms in Newark, DE. It was an Alfred Angelo. And yes, you can get their dresses at the Alfred Angelo store- but they wanted originally $800, on sale for $650, plus sales tax. I got mine in DE for $520 and no sales tax, and that was the normal price, not on sale.

They also sell Casablanca, Da Vinci, Impressions, Mori Lee, Maggie, Sottero and Midgley, and several other brands- most if not all under $1k. They cater specifically to that price range.

I did not get my alterations done there. I got them done at a private seamstress in DE, and she charged me $240. With my crinoline, veil, shoes, dress, and alterations, I was still under $1k.

If you look in the right places, start early, and don't overspend, you can get great deals. Also, be realistic- if you want to be under $1k, spending $150 on shoes that you will never wear again is probably not the best idea. I spent $25 on mine from Croc.com and have already worn them several times again, and will guarantee to wear them much more. If you are willing to look at samples, go for it, you can get great deals. And don't discount resale shops- often, they sell brand new items too. I bought my veil at The Resale Shop on Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, DE, and it was brand new, as were most of the veils and crinolines there. I paid $100 there- and the same exact veil at the salon up the street was $300. Because of who they buy from, when they buy, and what they buy, they often have great deals on brand new things. Finally, get price quotes on your alterations. If you don't need much done, and feel the number is too high, don't give in to the pressure right then.

I agree with the PP- I know other girls may have had great experiences, but I have never had a good experience with DB. Neither has any of my family members. In fact, every one of us has had not just a not good experience, but a horrible experience.

jamiebean · October 2010

Thanks ! I'll def do my research and check out other places !

akferre · November 2010

I'm obsessed with wedding gowns I think and my wedding isn't until 2012 but I already have 3 dresses! I got them all at the Priscilla of Boston sample sale all my dresses combined cost me $1200.

One Melissa Sweet, One Priscilla of Boston, and one Jewel. I'm currently trying to sell the Priscilla of Boston...i'm probably going to consign it.

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