Dress Budget???

[greatbritain]

i'm the same way...non-traditional and i am fairly confident that i can end up finding a dress for under $500. i have the same mindset, i'm going to start at David's Bridal and then go from there. Love this dress though!
 

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

 

 

[Bride2012]

kerrygrrrl:  Wow! That dress IS a perfect destination/beach wedding dress! And what a great price! I hope I can keep mine under budget as well

 

Samantha: Im hoping to have that feeling when i purchase my dress, its such a big decision, but as my friend tells me all the time....who cares if you have the "right dress" as long as you have the "right man" ...and that really sticks with me.

 

I cant wait to see everyones wedding photos...you ladies are gonna be BEAUTIFUL!

 

Anyone having a seperate reception gown or a seperate gown for a TTD session?

[Samantha88k]

I like that quote!! May not have the perfect dress but you will have to perfect man! Fabulous!!

 

I have a separate dress for my TTD session. I ended up finding a flowy chiffon dress that mimics the style (v-neck) of my actual wedding dress on clearance at Macys!!

[kellygrrrl]

thanks so much for the compliments, ladies. : )

 

I've heard of people wearing their actual dress in the ocean and then rinsing it out in the shower/bathtub before drying it fully on the balcony and having it professionally cleaned at home. many have said that process works really well!

 

there's also a huge knockoff wedding dress forum with all the pros and cons of ordering a TTD (or primary dress) knockoff from overseas. could be an option, depending on the dress you choose.

[Peach]

I think I am going to go with the same dress for TTD.... not that I have one, or am even looking yet, but I know my style... super simple and flowy. Which apparently also seems to translate into inexpensive, Woohoo! I think part of the fun is going to be wearing the same dress. Plus, I don't want to pay for a second. And I have read on here that a lot of brides found the ocean actually cleaned their dress very well. So, win, win win!

[clgriffi7]

My dress was between $500-$600 and I absolutely love it. (pardon the other bride to be in the background).  I am sure that choosing a dress without lace and beading really helped to keep the price down - luckily I have simple tastes, so I didn't want those things.  Another way to save money is to find a bridal store in the area that provides a little less service.  Where I live there are 2 stores (45 minutes drives to each, but worth it) that don't require appointments and don't give you a personal assistant.  The dress shopping expereince may not be as nice, but the price ends up being cheaper.  And if you can manage to go on a day during the week there is no one else there so you end up getting the personal attention anyway.

 

As for a TTD - I had initially wanted a second dress because what girl doesn't want a second wedding dress?  Then I decided that the pictures would be much more meaningful if it was THE wedding dress instead of another pretty white dress.  Yeah - I might not be able to swim well, but my fiance has been warned that it is his job to not let me drown.  One thing I read from a bride previously married at my resort is that she had her dress dry cleaned after her TTD but while still at the resort so she didnt' have to bring a wet dress home.  She said it cost $85 - which is cheaper than I could get it done at home.

 

[Bride2012]

CLgriffi7...that dress is AMAZING and looks great on you! What a great value!!!

 

Yeah, Im excited about my TTD, just trying to figure out a photographer....I have HDC for my event but want Phil Steingard for my TTD...hopefully he's available as he was booked already for my wedding date.

[coconoir1908]

As everyone has their own ideal of what they want/would like to look like on their wedding day, everyone has their one budget despite the venue chosen. So if you choose to spend 200-1500, or 4000+,  your budget for your day is YOURS!!  I wouldn't say go in debt for a dress, but you know what you can afford.....be wise in your decision!  What one bride is willing to spend may not be that of another and it is "TOTALLY OKAY."!!

 

Happy Shopping for the other ONE

 

 

Originally Posted by alysam4785 

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!

 

[LovesJakeyPoo]

ohhhh pretty love!
 

Originally Posted by clgriffi7 

My dress was between $500-$600 and I absolutely love it. (pardon the other bride to be in the background).  I am sure that choosing a dress without lace and beading really helped to keep the price down - luckily I have simple tastes, so I didn't want those things.  Another way to save money is to find a bridal store in the area that provides a little less service.  Where I live there are 2 stores (45 minutes drives to each, but worth it) that don't require appointments and don't give you a personal assistant.  The dress shopping expereince may not be as nice, but the price ends up being cheaper.  And if you can manage to go on a day during the week there is no one else there so you end up getting the personal attention anyway.

 

As for a TTD - I had initially wanted a second dress because what girl doesn't want a second wedding dress?  Then I decided that the pictures would be much more meaningful if it was THE wedding dress instead of another pretty white dress.  Yeah - I might not be able to swim well, but my fiance has been warned that it is his job to not let me drown.  One thing I read from a bride previously married at my resort is that she had her dress dry cleaned after her TTD but while still at the resort so she didnt' have to bring a wet dress home.  She said it cost $85 - which is cheaper than I could get it done at home.

 

 

[clgriffi7]

Thanks.

 

I totally agree with coconoir1908 - the right price is different for each bride.  Each bride places a different importance on the dress.  Each bride also has a different idea of what makes a dress beautiful and the more intricate the more expensive.  But as long as you know what you can afford when you start shopping and you stick to that budget, then you will be fine.  Just don't let a consultant talk you into anything more expesive that you have budgeted!

 

Originally Posted by LovesJakeyPoo 

ohhhh pretty love!