Dress Budget???

LovesJakeyPoo · July 8, 2011

My budget was 1500 but my dress was a Maggie and percect only cost meeh 1200....single most expensive article I ever bought...I totally can't imagine spending much more....maybe if i had more money I would say otherwise though! =)

alysam4785 · July 8, 2011

honestly...I think the dress budget should be in line with your wedding budget. For instance if you are having a bigger wedding and spending $30,000 than I could see spending $3000 on a dress. But if you are only spending $10,000 or below on your wedding than maybe $1500 is a little more reasonable. Initially I was going to spend up to $3500 ( i also watch say yes to the dress too much haha) but in the end found a gorgeous dress for a fraction of that ( $1200 before alterations) at believe it or not David's Bridal. It was a White by Vera Wang dress and as much as I have had not so great experiences there I loved my dress. I originally bought a dress I grew to hate from there from an aweful consultant. Then when they came out with the Vera Wang dresses I fell in love with one and went back to get it. The sales woman was amazing the second time. So it's def. hit or miss there!

Islandgirl910 · July 8, 2011

I paid $1,000 for my dress. I purchased it from RK Bridal in NY. I went to three other bridal stores including David Bridal and none of them had anything I liked. It helps to shop around that's for sure.

AfricanVenus · July 8, 2011

The final cost for my dress was $1500. With alterations, $1850. I had a $2000 budget originally, but my parents surprised me by purchasing it for me.

torilynnsmith · July 8, 2011

I originally wanted to spend under $1000 on my dress, I didn't want to be picky and was sure I could "settle" on something. I should have known myself better... I'm the girl who goes into winners or marshalls and in the racks of $24.99 purses pulls out the $300+ handbag... ugh!

I have fallen in love with 2 dresses in the $1500 range which isn't too bad but still more than I had hoped to pay....at a loss and trying to decide what to do! Glad to hear I am not the only one thinking under 1k

Laurelyn · July 8, 2011

I went in with a budget of $1000 and managed to find my dress for $945 with out a problem. But that is before tax alterations and all the other fun things that add up.

Bride2012 · July 8, 2011

I agree with everyone, if I fall in love with a higher priced dress I will have no other choice than to go over budget! Its just crazy how it all adds up, veil, shoes, shaper and alterations! LOL!

I fell in love with a Vera Wang laser cut dress at Davids Bridal a few weeks ago....but they only had it in a size 2 (which is a size 0 by US measurements) and I CLEARLY wasn't getting into that one! LOL! They were trying to get me to buy it since there was a 12 week wait time to make sure I got it in time, but then what if it came in and it looked HORRIBLY wrong on me...then I was going to be out $1500. So I am back to looking!

I am from California but currently live in a small town in Alabama (major change in scenery) and there are only 3 bridal shops here....one of them being Davids Bridal. And I would hate to buy one out of town and have to keep traveling for fittings and what not.

How many dresses did you all try on before you found "the one"???? And in "Say yes to the Dress" terms....did you have that feeling when you tried it on...did it have the "wow" factor?

kellygrrrl · July 8, 2011

I agree with the idea that the cost of the dress should be proportional to your wedding, but I think $1,500 is a safe number to budget for a destination wedding. you'll be outside, so I don't think you'll want anything too intricate (and thus $$$). I was thinking of spending about that and started at David's thinking it could only go up from there. after weeks of trying on at multiple boutiques, the dress I couldn't get out of my head was the very first one I put on there. the best part? it had a price tag of $350. sure, I could have purchased a flashier dress, but FI and I are both pretty non-traditional, and this one was just perfect for the beach. and it feels GREAT to know that I've saved $1,000. I'm so pleased it worked out that way and was still a dress I was really happy with.

as far as other costs, veil was $65 (?) = $450 total for dress/veil/tax, $50 for shoes (also David's), and I'll probably just grab some simple earrings from Macy's/Dillards. then there's the question of alterations (hemming and adding bra cups, the dress fits as-is). not sure what that runs but thinking $100, just to be safe. trying to keep the total cost below $750, but it's amazing how quickly it adds up. I really am glad I went with the simple choice.

ps - here's a pic of the dress in case anyone is curious

Samantha88k · July 8, 2011

I found "the" dress at the first shop I went to (in Minneapolis, MN during a shopping trip with my mom and sister), it was like the 5th dress I tried on but at the time I couldn't believe that I had found it so early after trying on so few dresses. I searched for a shop in North Dakota (where I live) that carried the dress and ended up finding one in Fargo!! I visited the store 3 times before finally committing and ordering!

As for the "wow" factor, I think I lucked out. After first getting engaged and doing a little dress searching online I had a vision of myself in a dress that I hadn't seen yet online (i combined a couple styles in my head...very dangerous! lol) BUT I found it!!! So, yes, I had that "wow, this is the one" moment for sure!!

Samantha88k · July 8, 2011

Great dress!! Perfect beach wedding look!!

Originally Posted by kellygrrrl

I agree with the idea that the cost of the dress should be proportional to your wedding, but I think $1,500 is a safe number to budget for a destination wedding. you'll be outside, so I don't think you'll want anything too intricate (and thus $$$). I was thinking of spending about that and started at David's thinking it could only go up from there. after weeks of trying on at multiple boutiques, the dress I couldn't get out of my head was the very first one I put on there. the best part? it had a price tag of $350. sure, I could have purchased a flashier dress, but FI and I are both pretty non-traditional, and this one was just perfect for the beach. and it feels GREAT to know that I've saved $1,000. I'm so pleased it worked out that way and was still a dress I was really happy with.

as far as other costs, veil was $65 (?) = $450 total for dress/veil/tax, $50 for shoes (also David's), and I'll probably just grab some simple earrings from Macy's/Dillards. then there's the question of alterations (hemming and adding bra cups, the dress fits as-is). not sure what that runs but thinking $100, just to be safe. trying to keep the total cost below $750, but it's amazing how quickly it adds up. I really am glad I went with the simple choice.

ps - here's a pic of the dress in case anyone is curious