Dress Shopping is no longer FUN!

Agh...I have just got to vent! I am growing more and more frustrated the longer I look for a dress. I thought I had found the dress, but it turns out I was only thinking that because everyone else loved the dress. When I put it on though, I didn't "feel" a connection to it. Maybe that's crazy...but I hope you guys agree with me. I thought you are supposed to put the dress on and feel special in it & all that jazz. This is just not the dress that I have envisioned my whole life....actually so far no dress has done that! Anyways besides needing to vent, I wanted to get some opinions. First off, has anyone had their wedding dress made for them? I know a lady that does it and she probably wouldn't charge too much, so I'm kind of leaning towards that. Secondly, I was curious if anyone knew dresses that are similar to Alvina Valenta or Paloma Blanca BUT for cheaper? I am in love with the slim, trumpet shape dresses and I want a strapless sweetheart neckline, but unfortunately those dresses are not in my price range. Any help is appreciated.

Ooh, Courtney ...I sooo know what you mean! I too am becoming frustrated! I also love the Paloma Blanca dresses. I thought I may have found the one the other night ....but it's $2500! My mom is going to come and see it on me next weekend. Not sure what your budget is, but it's style #3953. Good luck, I am sure you and I both will find our dream dress soon!

Sorry the thrill is gone I'll be honest, I didn't feel a magical "the one" feeling when I picked the dress I wore, but I'm also not that into the idea that there is a "one". I liked my dress and I was in it for about 2 hours before I changed into a white sundress that I could dance and breathe in.

 

All I can tell you is that if you try on a dress that you don't want to wear at your wedding, then don't get it. If you like the dress but are waiting for a certain feeling that you think you are supposed to have, well that just may be your dress and you may never find that feeling. If you do, even better. Above all make sure you like it and have fun! Good luck

Omg I love that dress--it's definitely one of the dresses I am in love with! And it is totally over my budget. I haven't even tried any of those on because I know I would fall in love. My mom offered to buy my dress, but wants to keep it under a thousand. I think that is totally reasonable & I hate to spend more than that for a dress I wear once. But then again the only dresses I love are the ones that are way over my budget. It just bums me out and makes me want to give up. I know that's a horrible attitude to have but it just sucks!

Theres a few in Davids Bridal that are gorgeous trumpets. Usually they are about $499-699. Beautiful beading detail

Oh Courtney that must be so frustrating. I am having my dress made for me, although its costing $3800 to do it. I couldn't find a dress that I was really connecting with so having it made will be perfect for me.

I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. I'm also having a difficult time - i went dress shopping yesterday and was lucky enough to find THE dress! But on sale it's $3500. We figured out it averages $500 an hour! Not really worth it in the grand scheme of things. So for now I'm just bummed out and then I'll go dress shopping again. I'll find the "almost" dress and be happy. good luck in your search.

Aww girl I'm so sorry to hear you're in the same situation. I tell you what though....a glass (or bottle lol) of wine is doing the trick...at least for the night. To top off this whole bad situation, I just realized while sitting upstairs in our house that the rain is leaking in (slowly, but it is happening).
great.

Sorry to hear about your current dress situation and now your house but I was bored just cruising the internet and found these you might try.. didnt know what all you were looking for in the design just went off of the one from angelas style #... hope you find "the one!"... just keep looking... i know easier said than done.

 

David's Bridal - Allover lace A-line with ruched bust and beaded empire waist.

 

Alfred Angelo... Find the perfect Wedding Dress, Bridesmaid Dress, Prom Dress, Flower Girl Dress or Mother of the Bride Dress at Alfred Angelo.

 

Alfred Angelo... Find the perfect Wedding Dress, Bridesmaid Dress, Prom Dress, Flower Girl Dress or Mother of the Bride Dress at Alfred Angelo.

 

Weddings Gowns Gifts, The Knot

Soooo sorry to hear what a hard time you are having, Courtney!

 

I know when I bought my first dress @ David's Bridal for $350 (it was just a very simple, strapless a-line without a train), I got it because it FIT, not only me but also my budget, and my idea of what I "thought" I had to have for a DW. After a few months and looking at it in my closet a few hundred times, I began to have that "Ugh...I'm not so sure this dress is, or ever was, THE ONE". So, I broke the news to my mother (who had bought the 1st dress) that I was going to be purchasing another dress for myself, and wearing the one she got me for my AHR. At first she was mad, but then when she saw the $1300 Sottero & Midgley I wanted (one that had "all that jazz" you're talking about), and then I tried it on and had that "OMG!!" moment we all wait for, I knew I had made the right decision, and she and I both couldn't be happier.

 

Sometimes, you've just got to go with your heart, and if you have to cut something from your budget or downsize elsewhere to get the dress you adore, then maybe that's what you should do. I know you only wear it once, but it will be the most photographed, and sentimentally special article of clothing you may ever buy, you know? Another BDW member said somewhere on here that there are a few things you should spend the money on if at all possible: the dress, the rings, and the photographer. I agree whole-heartedly!

 

Good luck, and if you try on the Alvina Valenta or Paloma Blanca gowns, fall in LOVE, but still don't want to spend the money, maybe check out some of those sites that do designer imitation dresses for less?