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The Dress Hunt begins!

pinkcow13pinkcow13 member
2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
edited June 2014 in Chit Chat
I went dress shopping for the first time on Saturday. I actually ended up going alone (2 BM's had to cancel, and BM and MOH showed up super late), which turned out to be a blessing. First of all, I'm extremely indecisive. I think what I want to do is now go on appointments alone, and when I narrow my choices down, invite VIP's. Second - I did not know how exposed I would be lol. I went to Kleinfeld, where they told me to take off my strapless bra as the dresses they selected for me would have looked better without a bra (or at least my strapless). I do not want my friends to see me in all my glory, lol. 

 As for the dresses themselves - I told the consultant and her intern what style I liked, what I didn't like, etc. They brought in I think 7 gowns, and when I saw them I thought "THIS is what they bring me?" I tried them on and Oh My Gosh, amazing! I could not believe how different they looked off the hanger. I also could not believe how they made me look - I was afraid white/ivory gowns would be a bit unflattering and unforgiving . I ended up falling in love with 2 dresses, especially a Maggie Sottero gown. Of course I hate that you can't take pics there, because I really want to look up the gowns online and can't really remember them lol.

 So I was on Yelp earlier and came across a seamstress with awesome reviews, and supposedly very reasonable prices. She makes custom gowns, and I wonder if maybe that can be an option? Is anyone here going down that route, or did they for their wedding? Or know of anyone that did? (I think @haileydancingbear - you're making your dress?) I just want to make sure I know all my options, because I know how I always second guess myself! I like the idea of a custom made dress, just not sure what it's like to actually go through the process.

ETA: Dreaded paragraphs
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Re: The Dress Hunt begins!

  • My Kleinfeld consultant told us we could take pics of the dresses in her private room, just not on the main floor.  We didn't end up doing it because I fell in love with my dress on the spot and didn't need to take any pics home to decide.  But maybe if you go back, you can ask your consultant to let you snap a pic in the dressing room.
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  • @JCbride2015‌ - really?? I thought you got to take your pics because you purchased the dress! Ugh I'm so annoyed now! Regardless I'm definitely going back because I did love that dress. Well 2 of them, really. She jotted them down, as well as a third dress that was beautiful, but not the one. She said that will be my "say no to the dress" for when I bring my mom, then I'll show the stunning ones lol.
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  • I visited a place called The Sewing Studio here in Orlando that carries wedding fabrics and has many designers on staff making gowns in the studio as you shop. All of them told me that if you want an intricate gown with different types of fabrics, beading or bling that it will cost at least $1,000. This isn't that big a savings if your dress is close to this amount. However, if you are looking at a $3k+ gown it is a great savings. It just seemed very overwhelming when I looked into it and not that much cheaper.
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  • @theexactlee‌ , $1,000 sounds very good to me for something custom made. I do think it might be too overwhelming in a way. I don't know anything about different fabrics (I just found out what taffeta is on Saturday), and while I have a general idea of what I want, that's all. I don't know what works with what, so a part of me feels that going the custom route might be too big a risk.
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  • pinkcow13 said:
    @JCbride2015‌ - really?? I thought you got to take your pics because you purchased the dress! Ugh I'm so annoyed now! Regardless I'm definitely going back because I did love that dress. Well 2 of them, really. She jotted them down, as well as a third dress that was beautiful, but not the one. She said that will be my "say no to the dress" for when I bring my mom, then I'll show the stunning ones lol.
    Well, they will always let you take pics of the dress once you decide to buy it.  But at the beginning of the appointment, I said, "I know we can't take pictures, but I'd like to FaceTime in my grandma" and she told me we could take some pics in the dressing room to show her later.  I just didn't end up taking her up on the offer because there was no contest.

    How did you like Kleinfeld?  Who was your consultant?
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  • pinkcow13pinkcow13 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    edited June 2014
    Darn! @jcbride2015, I went in there and just asked right away, with no reason. Dammit. I actually loved it. It was my first appointment, so I have nothing to compare it to. But I think they did an amazing job of showing me just what I loved. My consultant was Ingrid, and I loved her. She was so sweet, personable, and knowledgeable. I cannot remember her interns name though, but she was really sweet. I know it's probably their job, but they really made me feel like a million bucks. When I tried on the Maggie Sottero I loved it so much that I did think "this can't be that easy?? ( the 2 faves were Maggie which is funny because I never told them a designer I had in mind, but I love her dresses. The first dress was a Maggie and I also loved it, but I also knew it wasn't the one. But I was afraid my mom might like it more than the "no" dress we put aside, so I ruled it out haha). My "dream" dress right now is an Essen of Australia so I think I'm hesitant to commit to a dress until I try it out. But I don't want to try it out too soon in case I love it. I'm so damn complicated!!! ETA: iPad paragraphs refuse to work.
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  • That was the one thing that bothered me as well. I don't know tulle from organza. I want the person to come with me to help me pick out everything. Basically they charge you by the hour to do this. Which is a lot of money. But it would look beautiful when you are finished. If you have a friend who knows anything about this type of thing, even if she certainly couldn't make the dress but at least knows a pattern and some fabrics, bring her along!
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  • @theexactlee, you lost me at tulle, haha! I guess I'll meet the seamstress and see what her pricing is like, etc. I guess just meeting won't hurt. If she charges by the hour, then yea that can be pretty pricey. Chances are I will probably go with a gown from a shop. Custom made might be too much for someone like me, who knows nothing about fabrics and design.
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  • Either way I'm sure you'll look beautiful day of. :)
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  • Remember, if you have something custom made, you will be stuck with it, even if it doesn't turn out as nice as you pictured.  At least if you order from a store, you know what you are getting for your money.
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  • doeydodoeydo member
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    Do you remember anything about the Maggie Sottero gowns?  Silhouette, material, neckline, etc.?  If so, I might be able to track them down, if you want.  
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  • ElcaBElcaB member
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    First of all, yay for a positive experience! This just goes to show you you should always be open-minded when trying things on. Lots of consultants know things you don't about what will look good on you. 

    I went to four bridal salons and was allowed to take pictures at every single one. When I got home I'd hop onto the designer's website and search until I found the dresses I loved so I could compare prices from place to place. Try that, just from your memory.
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  • CMGragain, and that is something that I thought a bit about. At least store bought, it's done and I get exactly what I see, as opposed to custom made and I have to wait around. 
    doeydo - I think I may have tracked them down - I see them at another bridal salon, and if those are the dresses they're pretty much the same price. I am terrible with details though, so even if I tried I think I would screw up the description lol. I know the one I had had a sweetheart neckline, with beading and I think a long train. And I think different layers around the skirt.

    ElcaB - Exactly! And just because a particular dress I love looks good on the tall leggy model, it probably will look completely different on me lol.
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