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dress price question

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DMBFiredancer

DMBFiredancer

Brilliant_Rock
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Jan 12, 2008
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i was looking on davids bridal today and found a dress that i really really love
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2993&prodgroup=10


i dont want to spend a lot of money....believe it or not, i''m even cringing about the $400 this one costs...

so heres my silly question....if im not getting married until july 09, what are the chances that this dress will go onsale before then? is it something i just have to keep an eye on all the time? has anyone ever found the dress they liked super cheap months later?

i also thought about just checking ebay once i go try it on and find out what size i need.

i always said to my FI that my goal was to find my wedding dress for less than $100. of course he laughed at me, but i want to prove to him that i can do it!
 
Gorgeous dress.

David''s Bridal has $99 sales quite frequently, so I wouldn''t purchase that dress quite yet. The first dress I purchased was from DB, and I did so during a $99 sale. Even though my dress wasn''t a $99 dress, it was 25% off.

If you do end up purchasing a David''s Bridal dress, I would recommend doing so at least ten months prior to your wedding. I myself had a very disappointing experience with them, and I know a few others who have, as well. If you give yourself enough time, though, and you find that the dress comes in botched, you can always order another one.
 
David''s Bridal ALWAYS has sales. In fact, I was there earlier this month with my best friend and they were having a sale that "supposedly" ended on January 14th, and then was "extended" to the 21st. They play the sale game a LOT, so I think it would be worth the wait. However, with David''s the more expensive the dress, the more you save, and if I remember correctly, I think my friend was going to save $50 on a dress in that price range (maybe $75). So it''s not HUGE savings, but every little bit helps. Usually the $99 sale applies to dresses priced $199 and below.

BTW - I LOVE your avatar! I have a seal lynx mitted ragdoll, and she looks just like the kitty in your av. Is this your cat? What kind is he/she?
 
I still get calls from David''s bridal about every other week about their sales even though I told them I bought my dress elsewhere. During their $99 sale every dress is on sale at least somewhat, but like BriBee said, the higher the original price, the higher the savings.

I can''t remember though, did you pick your venue yet? Even if you love the dress, it might not fit with the style of your venue, so I''d at least wait until you had picked that.
 
Realistically, it will be close to impossible to find anything you like for $100 or thereabouts.

You can look online for deals and steals and ebay auctions, but you are likely not to get what you want.

David''s Bridal is having a $99 dress sale; right now, if the continual advertisements on TV are any indication. Is there anything listed online for that price that you like?

If you live in a large metropolitan area, try consignment shops. I''m afraid that most of what you will find will be gently worn designer gowns selling for a higher price than you are wanting to pay.

The other suggestion I have is perusing the lower-priced BM lines. Many of those dresses are available for order in white or ivory.
 
EBAY all the way hun.

I found a company out of China on Ebay that custom made the exact dress I wanted for about $280. Saving me thousands! My mom was going to make my dress, but the fabric would have cost more than to have these people make it and send it. Only thing I suggest when going this route is to order months in advance. They said it would take 40 days, but it took almost 90. Fit perfectly though, and no one has one exactly like it. I had them combine a couple different dresses I liked to get the final effect.

Secondly, get your dress first, then choose a place if you haven''t done so already. I always try to build my bride''s weddings around their dress, not their venue. You can alter a venue''s look to coordinate with a dress, not the other way around.
 
I have a limited budget so I went the David''s Bridal route. My strapless gown cost me $200. My 2 cents.
 
i've been checking the mega markdowns on bridepower.com. if you wait awhile they usually post some steals for $199-$299.

i ordered the sean collection dress and it was really nice and had a very romantic feel to it. it didn't look good on me because of sizing - they didn't have a small size.

and i have to respectfully disagree with christyjohar, i think you should lock down the venue first. i've seen too many people selling their dresses online because they changed venue and the dress didn't mesh with the new one.
 
Davids'' Bridal has quartly $99 sales. This doesn''t automatically mean your dress will be $99.00, but it means there will probably a precentage off, if this particular dress doesn''t make the big discount rack. I would go to sale at the end of this season, which is most likely when this dress will be discounted.

I would also do my research. I would find out the designer of the gown, and size in that dress you''ll need. You can always go with a sample gown--which, once pressed and cleaned, will look brand new. Another route to try, is finding the dress when the designer is hosting a trunk sale--you may have to make a lot of phone calls to locate a salon who also carries this designer aside from DB. If you can find the trunk sale, you will most likely be required to buy and order the dress that day, but the discount will make it totally worth while--you can expect a 25% off the retail price which is usually a nice round precentage the bridal salons seem to like, however, put your game face on...they are always will to negoitate during trunk sales, and you could get another 10 to 15% off if your play hard ball with you consultant.

But, I would really consider waiting to buy your dress until at least the summer, depending on how long the forecasted arrival date is. Bridal Salons mostly require you to pay the full balance upon arrival of the gown, and want to put you right into alterations. Since you''re not getting married until summer 2009, this could be a serious down side, since once you take ownership of the dress, the bridal salon will be done with you...meaning they will not take a return, trade in, or exchange. I don''t know your personal situation, but most brides tend to attempt to lose weight before their wedding, if you''re planning on losing weight, it''s hard to estimate the size you''ll actually need--and you may overpay for material intially, and have to go thru alterations twice which will add up quickly (average alteration prices tends to be around $100-150.00 depending on the dress, and time needed). I wouldnt recommend ordering a dress to small, since many brides (despite their best efforts) will put on a few pounds from stress.

But...all things considered...if you love the dress, and can find it at a price you''re comfortable with, go for it! It is really beautiful and I''m positive you''ll look radiant in it!
 
Date: 2/4/2008 8:18:40 PM
Author: christyjohar
EBAY all the way hun.

I found a company out of China on Ebay that custom made the exact dress I wanted for about $280. Saving me thousands! My mom was going to make my dress, but the fabric would have cost more than to have these people make it and send it. Only thing I suggest when going this route is to order months in advance. They said it would take 40 days, but it took almost 90. Fit perfectly though, and no one has one exactly like it. I had them combine a couple different dresses I liked to get the final effect.

Secondly, get your dress first, then choose a place if you haven''t done so already. I always try to build my bride''s weddings around their dress, not their venue. You can alter a venue''s look to coordinate with a dress, not the other way around.
Click to expand...

I''ve been thinking of going the custom ebay route too. Any chance you could tell us which seller you used and post pictures?
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Date: 2/4/2008 8:18:40 PM
Author: christyjohar

Secondly, get your dress first, then choose a place if you haven''t done so already. I always try to build my bride''s weddings around their dress, not their venue. You can alter a venue''s look to coordinate with a dress, not the other way around.
Click to expand...
I disagree with this too. There are thousands of dresses available to you at any given time. There are only a handful of venues in your area that will work for you and have the features you want. It is much easier to find a dress to fit a venue than to find a venue to fit a dress.

Trust this three dress bride on this.
 
Date: 2/6/2008 3:36:57 PM
Author: Gypsy
Date: 2/4/2008 8:18:40 PM

Author: christyjohar


Secondly, get your dress first, then choose a place if you haven''t done so already. I always try to build my bride''s weddings around their dress, not their venue. You can alter a venue''s look to coordinate with a dress, not the other way around.
Click to expand...
I disagree with this too. There are thousands of dresses available to you at any given time. There are only a handful of venues in your area that will work for you and have the features you want. It is much easier to find a dress to fit a venue than to find a venue to fit a dress.


Trust this three dress bride on this.
Click to expand...

I do agree with this. I bought a dress, which I love, but now I feel kind of constricted on a venue. The dress is semi-formal so I don''t want my venue to be too informal. However, if you really love the dress if it''s not a recurring style, then maybe you should look around for a venue and get it.
 
thanks for the replies and advice everyone.
i actually found another one, too...its listed as a bridesmaid dress, but they have it in white, so couldnt it be used as a wedding dress? i cant see why not

dress

my ceremony is going to be a beach ceremony and my reception is going to be at our favorite itallian restaurant. i''m a very simple person, so a dress like this is what i see myself in.

i keep reading bad things about davids bridal....is it just the alterations? they seemed a bit pushy when i was in there trying a dress on....the alterations lady was there with her tape measure ready to go even though i reminded the lady about 6 times that i was ONLY TRYING ON. they wanted to have me measured out and buying the dress when all i wanted to do was try on. anyone else have that kind of experience?

to the person asking about my kitty, she was a stray that we brought in....shes listed as just a cream tabby at the vet, but her blue eyes make me believe she may have some siamese in her?

thanks again for all your responses...i truly enjoy this forum!
 
Date: 2/24/2008 9:15:45 PM
Author: DMBFiredancer
thanks for the replies and advice everyone.
i actually found another one, too...its listed as a bridesmaid dress, but they have it in white, so couldnt it be used as a wedding dress? i cant see why not

dress

my ceremony is going to be a beach ceremony and my reception is going to be at our favorite itallian restaurant. i''m a very simple person, so a dress like this is what i see myself in.

i keep reading bad things about davids bridal....is it just the alterations? they seemed a bit pushy when i was in there trying a dress on....the alterations lady was there with her tape measure ready to go even though i reminded the lady about 6 times that i was ONLY TRYING ON. they wanted to have me measured out and buying the dress when all i wanted to do was try on. anyone else have that kind of experience?

to the person asking about my kitty, she was a stray that we brought in....shes listed as just a cream tabby at the vet, but her blue eyes make me believe she may have some siamese in her?

thanks again for all your responses...i truly enjoy this forum!
Click to expand...
I like that dress!

Which restaurant did you decide to use? If it''s Italian, I am guessing Bottle Inn?
 
buona vita on upper pier ave. is where we are pretty much set on. we are going to see the room all set up for a private party on march 7, so we''ll make our final decision then....but its looking really good right now. its our favorite restaurant here so it has some meaning for us. :)

they have private parties in the section that is more towards the west. the only thing was in order for us to have dancing in there we had to cut our guest list down to 40. that''s ok, though...it will still be lovely with a smaller party :)

congrats on your upcoming arrival, btw!
 
Date: 2/24/2008 9:27:27 PM
Author: DMBFiredancer
buona vita on upper pier ave. is where we are pretty much set on. we are going to see the room all set up for a private party on march 7, so we''ll make our final decision then....but its looking really good right now. its our favorite restaurant here so it has some meaning for us. :)

they have private parties in the section that is more towards the west. the only thing was in order for us to have dancing in there we had to cut our guest list down to 40. that''s ok, though...it will still be lovely with a smaller party :)

congrats on your upcoming arrival, btw!
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks!

I don''t think I''ve ever eaten there...will have to try it. Sounds like you''re gonna have a great reception!
 
you should go there sometime :) the best part about it is that you can bring your own wine and there is no cork fee!
 
DMBFiredancer, another place you might want to try is jessica mcclintock. they have very reasonably priced dresses. not sure who sells her dresses in LA but there there is a store up here in san francisco that is their "boutique". i was surprised that there were some decent dresses for $300 or less. not all are constructed well but there were some that were pretty nice for the price. they let you takes pics too.

jessica mcclintock bridal dresses

ETA : the jcrew dresses come up on ebay frequently and they are usually under $400. the sylvia is very nice and very flattering looking.
 
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