Attire & Accessories Forum

Saying goodbye to the dream dress..

Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic.

My mom is buying my wedding dress for me, but lives across the country. She is visiting in three weeks, and I've made a few appointments at local salons. About a month ago my MOH and I couldn't wait any longer and I tried on some gowns at a salon. We fell in love with a Modern Trousseau gown ("Autumn") and an Amsale gown ("Cecily"). Each retails about $3800.







I especially love the lace on Autumn, and the construction was so clean and structured.  I sent photos (of the dress, the salon did not allow pictures to be taken) to my mom that night, and she loved the dresses to.

We just had the budget discussion. She can't afford much more than $1500. Totally understandable and reasonable. But it means that those dresses are way out of the range. Even used online they are about $1000 too much.

Should I keep the appointment at that salon for when mom is here, or just cancel it and walk away?? I guess there isn't any point to revisiting it, right?

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Do you have stories with happy endings?
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Re: Saying goodbye to the dream dress..

  • I've always heard you should never try on dresses that are out of your price range.  If the shop doesn't sell the dresses in your price range I would cancel altogether. 
  • I agree, if the store doesn't sell anything in your price range, cancel the appointment and make an appointment at another store.  I think that you can likely find something similar to those dresses that is more budget-friendly.  Good luck!
  • I agree with PP, don't even try them on if they are out of your range because its just a tease for you, so I would cancel the appointment.  However, if it is possible for you to go in with your mom and help pay for the dress you love then I would say go for it!
  • I'm sure you can find a similar dress in your price range.  Don't try on anything that's out of your budget.  If the salon has little to no selection in your price range, make appointments elsewhere.
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  • Ditto PPs.  Only try on dresses in your price range, otherwise you're just setting yourself up for heartbreak.
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  • Thanks, ladies. I didn't have the budget conversation before-hand, and that is where I went wrong. I am starting to fall in love with this dress though, and it is all over the internet used. I think I am on to something! http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/19063/Pronovias-La-Sposa-Fanal-Size-8.html
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  • Agreed, I wouldn't try it on again or any other ones out of your price range unless you can come up with enough money to make up the difference.  Good luck!
  • Take the photo to more affordable salons and ask for a similar option in your price range:

    http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=2525
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  • defintly cancel, go to a shop that has more affordable dresses, that is stlll a really good budget and you should be able to find something gorgeous for that price
  • You can still go to the salon, but tell the salesperson what your budget is and stick with it. And under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you even look at the dress you tried on before. Your mother might love it on you too, and try to go over her budget. Don't put that kind of pressure on her.
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  • I'd go to the appointment, figure out which one you definitely want, and buy it used. Unless your very open-minded, a different dress that's half the cost of those will not do those justice and you'll regret settling on lesser quality. Buying used is the way to go if you can't pay for the difference yourself.
  • I agree. I would cancel, you can find another amazing dress for $1500. Going to the appointment can put pressure on your mom that will make her pick between breaking her budget and breaking your heart. Shopping for a dress sohuld be fun, not stressful!
  • I would try to buy it online! I second guessed my first dress because I wanted a different look and selling it on sites such as preowned, recycle bride...etc.

    I'd keep the salon appt. to see how it looks on you and what your size is. You might end up not liking it on you, but if you fall in love...I bet you will have no trouble finding it new or used online for wayyy cheaper.

    I wouldn't have known about those preowned sites until I started researching how to sell my first dress. It's amazing! If I didn't already by my august jones, I would have probably looked on those sites first. There's so many women selling designer gowns, brand new, because they decided to go with a different option.

    You can easily find a brand new designer gown for $1500 or less that way. I would just make sure to make a bridal appt to make sure it's what you're looking for.

    Hope that helps! Don't say goodbye to your dream dress. This is your time to shine!!
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