My 99 Cent ebay wedding dress with ME in it!

[Harleigh]

Yep, that's right, ladies...I paid 99 cents for this Alfred Angelo beauty, NWT's and not a mark on it! I'm really not quite sure how I managed that, but there you have it. Shipping was a bit more than the exorbinately high bid I managed, but who else do you know who can say they found their wedding dress on ebay for 99 cents, I ask you??? If this is any indication of my bargain finding skills, my friends always have me search ebay for the best deals as they never seem to find what they want for themselves...I guess my name on here should've been "ebay queen!"

Anyhow, according to the measurements given, this gown should have been a bit too large on me, but as you'll see, it is a WEE bit too tight, so please disregard the pulling at the waist...definitely NOT my best look, let me tell ya! It is a lovely gown, but unless I lose about 10 pounds I don't really have to lose or get it altered, this may be put right back on ebay with a heading for an 80-pound weakling looking for a wedding dress!!!

Since we decided to go to Maui to get married, I had to pretty much give up the Maggie Sottero ball gown I already bought (which I got on ebay DIRT CHEAP, of course!!!) and look for something a little more beach friendly, but I'm really hoping I can make this one work somehow.

So, please forgive the missing face...I could NOT breathe at the time the pictures were being taken, and I was making a not-so-nice face at my darling best friend who was in charge of the camera at the time, so I thought I would spare you all...if and when I get it fitting a bit better, I'll definitely post more pictures, with ALL of me in it!

Please let me know what you think! Thanks for looking!

 

[Harleigh]

Holding my breath...

 

[diamondfan]

Harleigh, it is stunning, can it be let out at all? And you may lose ten pounds from stress, but do not wait to decide about the dress! Maybe a good seamstress can help you...

 

[sunkist]

Harleigh, it looks great just tight around the waist! I''d see if someone can let it out for you. That''s how my dress was altered too. My dress was a satin with a shear overlay. That is an amazing deal on ebay though, congratulations!

 

[Harleigh]

Thanks, DiamondFan! You are always so very sweet!

I am hoping I can wither away a bit just to see if it''s possible to lose a little, but I only weigh 105 as it is and I eat as though I were a garbage disposal, so it may be just about toning what I have at the gym a bit more each week and see where that gets me.

No one has seen this dress yet except my friend, but I''m going to have my mom and her mom take a look at it to see what is possible to be done with it as they are both excellent seamstresses, and though they wouldn''t work on a wedding dress, they would know if there is any hope for it and let me know either way, at least.

To be honest with you, for 99 cents, I was kinda like, well, hell, if it doesn''t work, it''s no big deal, but now I absolutely LOVE how sleek and slender it is. When I thought we would be getting married here at home, I was pretty certain I wanted a "real" wedding gown, meaning the tiny waist and the big poofy skirt, but I am seriously thinking I was wrong. I''m afraid I will be so sad if I can''t get this to look *just* right, but at least I haven''t spent very much money on it yet, so I can''t feel too terribly bad, I suppose.

Thanks again for checking it out and I''ll keep you posted as my workout regimen and seamstress abilities progress!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 3:14:47 AM
Author: sunkist
Harleigh, it looks great just tight around the waist! I''d see if someone can let it out for you. That''s how my dress was altered too. My dress was a satin with a shear overlay. That is an amazing deal on ebay though, congratulations!

Thanks, sunkist! You are too kind!

My mom just emailed me back and said she thinks that''s the first time she''s ever seen anything tight around my waist...as my parents are a little on the large size, she finds this amusing, I guess!

I really, really, really hope we can make it work, but I just don''t know if there''s enough material in it to let out, but I''m keeping my fingers crossed!

Your dress sounds lovely...do you have pictures of your dress posted? I will have to go check it out!

 

[jmtomaui]

Harleigh, I don''t know if it is a style you like or not, but could the back be opened up and "corseted" just a bit? You could still tie it as close fitting as you would like but adding ribbon for the ties would give you the slight amount of give you are looking for...

 

[lsyama]

Wow, for what it''s worth, I think you look great!
And 99 cents?!
Can you be my personal shopper?

(Seriously though, I had been thinking of renting a dress to save on cost, but if you can find something like that on eBay, maybe I should look into it!)

Hope your dress dilemma works itself out!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 8:59:14 AM
Author: jmtomaui
Harleigh, I don''t know if it is a style you like or not, but could the back be opened up and ''corseted'' just a bit? You could still tie it as close fitting as you would like but adding ribbon for the ties would give you the slight amount of give you are looking for...

Hi jmtomaui!

I love the corset backs...in fact, that''s what the Maggie Sottero has, and I really adore that look. Thanks for suggesting it as an option!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 9:57:53 AM
Author: lsyama
Wow, for what it''s worth, I think you look great!
And 99 cents?!
Can you be my personal shopper?

(Seriously though, I had been thinking of renting a dress to save on cost, but if you can find something like that on eBay, maybe I should look into it!)

Hope your dress dilemma works itself out!

Thank you lsyama!

I would love to be your personal shopper...it is my favorite thing to do, actually!

There are SOOOO many choices on ebay that it''s just crazy, especially if you have found a gown you love at a Bridal Store, you can oftentimes find it on ebay or an online vendor for a lot less. For example, I remember my friend fell in love with some designer gown at David''s Bridal last year. I told her to write down the info and size and to check it out online, which doesn''t necessarily have to mean ebay, as there are other reasonable vendors available, but she couldn''t wait and wasted almost $2K on her dress that day. That same night I found the exact same dress in her size, NWT''s on ebay for less than $400 w/all the shipping & insurance costs. I didn''t tell her that until AFTER her wedding, but she didn''t care...she HAD to have it right then!
Some people just never learn!

I also think renting is a great idea, especially if you have nowhere to store a wedding gown after the fact, don''t plan to save it, etc... If we weren''t going to Maui for at least 2 weeks for the wedding and honeymoon, I would have looked into that option myself as I don''t really form deep emotional attachments to clothes, but I may feel differently about my $.99 one, just for the fact of "LOOK WHAT I GOT FOR $.99!!!"

 

[door knob solitaire]

Sweetie,

That is incredible! The dress is perfect for your figure!

Your shoulders and shape were what the designer intended to showcase that dress. The price is so unbelievable it was just meant to be yours. You are going to make a picture perfect bride!! Your figure is incredible!

Do you think it is possible that the dress was altered after the fact...and it was the factory measurements provided on Ebay? I say that because you said with the measurements they gave it should have been bigger. On the breathing thing...I think it is a fad-not all it is cracked up to be! For 99 cents...for goodness sakes...you have to give up a little comfort!!

Core crunch for a week before you touch that with a needle. It would be too cool to say...99 cents and no alterations needed!! No salt, no refined sugar, lots of water, no caffeine, lots of fiber...in three days as tiny as you are...I bet you'll prove all those alteration comments null.

DKS-that is one incredible buy!

edited...what about some spanx? I don't know if it is available in your itty bitty petite size...but it would keep that alteration needle at bay too!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

First of all what a bargin! I cannot believe it. How awesome for you! Second you look great in it. I am sure you can have it let out a bit. If not you could always resell it on ebay.

 

[surfgirl]

Shut UP! $0.99?!? HA. Good job...Looks lovely and much more suitable for a beachy wedding.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

you''re my eBay hero!

BTW- gorgeous dress. i hope you''re able to make it work out!

 

[KimberlyH]

Absolutely fabulous! I have my fingers crossed that it can be fitted as it is just perfect.

 

[laru0283]

99 cents?? You lucky girl!! It''s gorgeous, and it looks great on you, awesome pick!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

A gorgeous dress for less than a slurpee? Unreal! How about one of those tight underwear thingies? (Spankx I think they are called).

cheers--Sharon

 

[Sujuann]

Ohhh.... Myy.... Gossshhhhh!! Wow! What a deal!! It is beautiful! You need to hold ebay shopping seminars on here for all of us!!!

Beautiful dress!

 

[Kaleigh]

No way!! 99 cents?? That''s some deal you got. The dress is gorgeous, good for you!!!

 

[gwendolyn]

Holy MOLY, Harleigh, that's unbelievable!! You must tell, how much was the shipping? Did they just mail it off free of charge due to your amazing eBay awesomeness?!

Seriously, you look utterly fantastic, even without a face! Congrats!!

 

[Skippy123]

Holy smokes, 99 cents!!!! It looks perfect on you; you will be such a beautiful bride! I love your curly hair, I use to wish I had curly hair all through high school (since I had 10 years of perms).hehehe Lucky girl and smart shopper!

 

[diamondfan]

Harleigh, there are lots of safe slim down tips that Hollywood stars utilize before a bathing suit scene or an awards show. DKS is righ about fiber, and about lowering salt intake. As for fluids, absolutely, but do not gulp huge amounts rather sip all throughout the day. I have also heard that sauna and bathing in baking soda can help, it might be just a case of retained fluids. (just do this carefully and wisely). Also, I agree it might have been altered by the previous owner, though size being a bit off it not a huge shock to me...However, you have an awesome figure, the dress is gorgeous and a bargain to boot, and your hair is pretty too! It is not about overall weight loss, but focusing on the waist. Your figure is wonderful, but we all can be a bit bloated from time to time. I would also just have a seamstress look at it, I am sure they leave seam room in dresses like this, since some brides need that option but do not want to go up a whole size. Just please take it to a very high end seamstress who deals with satins etc...sometimes you can have stitch marks if you let out silk satin. But they will know for sure! I would frame that dress to show what a great bargain hunter I am!

 

[E B]

It looks AMAZING! And $0.99. Wow!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 12:42:44 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
Sweetie,

That is incredible! The dress is perfect for your figure!

Your shoulders and shape were what the designer intended to showcase that dress. The price is so unbelievable it was just meant to be yours. You are going to make a picture perfect bride!! Your figure is incredible!

Do you think it is possible that the dress was altered after the fact...and it was the factory measurements provided on Ebay? I say that because you said with the measurements they gave it should have been bigger. On the breathing thing...I think it is a fad-not all it is cracked up to be! For 99 cents...for goodness sakes...you have to give up a little comfort!!

Core crunch for a week before you touch that with a needle. It would be too cool to say...99 cents and no alterations needed!! No salt, no refined sugar, lots of water, no caffeine, lots of fiber...in three days as tiny as you are...I bet you''ll prove all those alteration comments null.

DKS-that is one incredible buy!

edited...what about some spanx? I don''t know if it is available in your itty bitty petite size...but it would keep that alteration needle at bay too!

LMAO...I just got home a little bit ago from spending a long, laborious day in my REALLY messy classroom, and was so happy to see your response, DKS!!! You are just so very sweet and can always bring a smile to my face, so thank you!

First off, it does not appear that any alterations have been done on the dress, though I do need a professional to look at it, but my MOH and I couldn''t find any indication of it when we checked. Also, I LOVE the idea of the Spanx, but, no, they do not make those small enough for me, and I''m really not sure ANY other fabric would actually fit under this puppy right now!

You definitely have some good points, and if I were less lazy AND less of a pig, I might actually be able to pull it off...but to cut off salt, refined sugar, anything white...it may actually kill me! If this gives you any indication as to how much I like to eat, my best friend introduces me like this..."Hi, this is my friend Harleigh...she has a hollow leg, so, um, where''s the food?" I can proudly say that I''d already given up caffeine almost 2 years ago as I was getting really sick and started cutting out all sorts of things trying to figure out what was causing my stomach issues, caffeine being one of them, and now only drink it when I have a migraine and need a little jolt to the brain. This is from the girl who used to drink at least 2 liters of Dr. Pepper EVERY day...but I really do think I was skinnier then...hmmm! Maybe I should go back on my caffeine diet...NAH!!! I really guess I just need to face the fact that I''m now 35 years old, and things just don''t settle where they used to anymore...

Anywho, after thinking on it, I realized I actually may be a bit bloated, as the unexpected arrival of my favorite monthly friend came a bit early today and I was feeling it on Saturday, so maybe I will give it a week or so and see how the dress fits then...if that''s the reason it doesn''t fit, then I will definitely have to plan my wedding around my bloated state!!!

I''ll keep you posted! (And I promise to at least THINK about doing some core crunches again one of these days!)

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 1:19:13 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
First of all what a bargin! I cannot believe it. How awesome for you! Second you look great in it. I am sure you can have it let out a bit. If not you could always resell it on ebay.

Thanks, Tacori! I love it more every time I look at it, and more and more I''m determined to make it work, if only to say I got my dress for $.99! It''s just part of my being...being cheap, I mean!

 

[diamondfan]

It is quite a conversation piece. What was the retail of the gown?

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 1:22:57 PM
Author: surfgirl
Shut UP! $0.99?!? HA. Good job...Looks lovely and much more suitable for a beachy wedding.

Hee hee hee...is it bad that the price is my favorite part???

Thank you, surfgirl! I think even if I get it to fit, I will have to have it taken up a few inches...unless I can find some 5-inch stilettos! Whaddya think?

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 4:49:07 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl
you're my eBay hero!

BTW- gorgeous dress. i hope you're able to make it work out!

Thanks, ChargerGrrl! Anything you need on ebay, I'm your gal! I sure hope I'm able to get it to work, too!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 6:01:12 PM
Author: KimberlyH
Absolutely fabulous! I have my fingers crossed that it can be fitted as it is just perfect.

Thanks, Kim...you are always so very kind! I''ll keep you posted!

 

[Harleigh]

Date: 8/6/2007 6:46:14 PM
Author: laru0283
99 cents?? You lucky girl!! It''s gorgeous, and it looks great on you, awesome pick!

Thank you, Laru...I love your dress choices, too! I was actually looking at another lace one similar to the #2 on your thread. I figure at these prices, I could go through 2 or 3, but I really LOVE this one!