What is your budget for the dress?

[LTLFAITHY]

Question about sample sale dresses ~ Are there any brides who have purchased sample sale dresses that are very petite? I am 5'2" and about 112 lbs. so every sample I have ever tried on has been WAY too big. I would totally be up for purchasing a dress this way, but I just can't imagine how they would make any dress look right. I know they can work wonders with those clamps, so I imagine they can do even more removing fabric, sewing things up, etc. but I'm still skeptical about whether the dress would look "right" because there are just some things I feel will still be disproportionately too big. Thoughts?? 

[ChocoTaco7568]

Originally Posted by LTLFAITHY 

 

Question about sample sale dresses ~ Are there any brides who have purchased sample sale dresses that are very petite? I am 5'2" and about 112 lbs. so every sample I have ever tried on has been WAY too big. I would totally be up for purchasing a dress this way, but I just can't imagine how they would make any dress look right. I know they can work wonders with those clamps, so I imagine they can do even more removing fabric, sewing things up, etc. but I'm still skeptical about whether the dress would look "right" because there are just some things I feel will still be disproportionately too big. Thoughts?? 

 

My advice is not to purchase a gown more than 2 sizes larger than your size, unless you have the opportunity to speak with an experienced seamstress regarding the required alterations specific to the dress of interest. In most cases it’s not an issue of whether or not it can be altered, but the cost associated with those changes because sometimes is become an entire restructuring of the dress and not a simple alteration. 

 

To address the second part of your question, most bridal boutiques do not carry petite sample sizes as they are less marketable. it’s more effective to use clips to size down a sample dress on a bride than to lose business because a bride can’t fit into a small sample and gauge how a dress/style will look on her. They will have samples in sizes 8, 10 or 12 and if it’s popular than maybe a plus size.

 

Helpful tip all BDW brides looking for a great deal: try to peruse the pages of preownedweddingdresses.com it’s an online marketplace for new, used and sample bridal gowns and unfortunately there are quite a few brides who are selling their dress because their weddings have been called off. You might be able to find a new dress for 10-40% off; and used and sample dresses from 30-70%. There's also oncewed.com and recycledbride.com

 

Good Luck!

[LTLFAITHY]

Originally Posted by ChocoTaco7568 

 

To address the second part of your question, most bridal boutiques do not carry petite sample sizes as they are less marketable. it’s more effective to use clips to size down a sample dress on a bride than to lose business because a bride can’t fit into a small sample and gauge how a dress/style will look on her. They will have samples in sizes 8, 10 or 12 and if it’s popular than maybe a plus size.

 

Good Luck!

 

I know that it makes sense to have a size that more people can fit into, I guess I just don't understand why they don't have 2 sample sizes. Like a 6 and a 12 or something? There is this one dress that I have loved forever, but they only had it in a 10 and because of the style of the dress everything was just SO disproportionate, that there was really no way to tell how it would actually look if it fit. Oh well, First World Problems, right. 

[Kassi22]

I went out shopping on Monday which was my first time out. I had two appointments booked, and a third option backup plan if the first two ended up being disasterish… luckily I didn’t need it!

 

I found a dress at the first place that I really liked. I thought it was the one. It was a little over $1800 which was under what I was willing to spend however I wanted to alter certain things (I thought it would have been minor) but the cost they said it would probably be would be about an extra $1000!! Craziness! I could make a dress for less than that. I probably would have went that way but at the second appointment I found a dress I liked even better, that was similar to the first one but the way I would have altered the first one (shorter train, sweetheart neckline, etc) that was a little less than then $1700 and the alterations are minimal (couple hundred) So all in all I ended up spending what I was ‘hoping’ to spend and not more!

 

I did try on some samples that where for sale that where about 60% off the original pricing but I found that they either where not taking care of or really popular. They were either really dirty (dust marks, the edges of ruffles where grey, etc) or broken zippers, clips or buttons. I decided to just spend the extra money and get knew. However if you are lucky to find one in good shape you can get some awesome deals from what I saw!

 

Now I need to wait 5 months to see my dress….boooo!

[breeburns]

I thought i would only spend like $1000 or so but I ended up spending $1500 on a dress I adored!! alterations surprised me at $350 even though not much had to be done (taken in is all) But it was awesome and definitely my style! I did surprise myself on what I spent on my dress but honestly it was worth it!! mine was Alfred Angelo 850

 

Good Luck dress hunting!! I couldn't find any sample/trunk sales where I lived, but if you can it sounds like it is the way to go!

[dlirx]

Originally Posted by LTLFAITHY 

 

 

I know that it makes sense to have a size that more people can fit into, I guess I just don't understand why they don't have 2 sample sizes. Like a 6 and a 12 or something? There is this one dress that I have loved forever, but they only had it in a 10 and because of the style of the dress everything was just SO disproportionate, that there was really no way to tell how it would actually look if it fit. Oh well, First World Problems, right. 

I totally had this problem too!  Which is why I i always knew i would only buy a strapless dress, because anything w/ straps or any V neck type of dress, it's impossible to tell what it would look like. You really are taking a gamble!

[pazzie]

im only in the planning period. i have a few friends who have bought knock off dresses from the internet. i have seen their dresses and i think they are not bad. you can even choose the styles and colour you like. coz some stores only carry limited colour wedding dress. thus, i think i would spend less than 500 bucks for dress. 

[Chyna2012]

What did i say my budget was again??

 

Well, i ended up buying 2 dresses! 

 

Lordy, i first bought/put a 50% deposit on Mikaella 1661 (should be in by October), before alterations it is just under $1700 and it needs alterations.

 

Then today i bought a sample Claire Pettibone Dew Drop.  It is a sample size 8, fits me perfectly.  It is practically brand new,  i was told it was barely tried on, and i know why, it is an ombre pink fading to ivory, and i think most people dont want a wedding dress that colour.  It is stunning on. I paid $1500 with tax and it doesnt need alterations and the regular price was $4079 plus tax.

 

Now i don't know if i should write off the deposit i made on the Mikaella (just over $800) and wear the dew drop for wedding and reception, or complete the mikaella purchase and alterations for the wedding, and then change into dew drop for reception?

 

It is going to be a small wedding, probably only 20 people.

 

I actually like dew drop more than mikaella 1661, but dew drop isn't very "bridal".

Advice please.

[LTLFAITHY]

Originally Posted by dlirx 

 

I totally had this problem too!  Which is why I i always knew i would only buy a strapless dress, because anything w/ straps or any V neck type of dress, it's impossible to tell what it would look like. You really are taking a gamble!

 

Well I absolutely thought I didn't want a strapless dress..........................................but for this exact reason I ended up buying one!! LOL

[LTLFAITHY]

Originally Posted by Chyna2012 

 

What did i say my budget was again??

 

Well, i ended up buying 2 dresses! 

 

Lordy, i first bought/put a 50% deposit on Mikaella 1661 (should be in by October), before alterations it is just under $1700 and it needs alterations.

 

Then today i bought a sample Claire Pettibone Dew Drop.  It is a sample size 8, fits me perfectly.  It is practically brand new,  i was told it was barely tried on, and i know why, it is an ombre pink fading to ivory, and i think most people dont want a wedding dress that colour.  It is stunning on. I paid $1500 with tax and it doesnt need alterations and the regular price was $4079 plus tax.

 

Now i don't know if i should write off the deposit i made on the Mikaella (just over $800) and wear the dew drop for wedding and reception, or complete the mikaella purchase and alterations for the wedding, and then change into dew drop for reception?

 

It is going to be a small wedding, probably only 20 people.

 

I actually like dew drop more than mikaella 1661, but dew drop isn't very "bridal".

Advice please.

 

Just a word of caution, have you looked over your sales contract for the Mikaella dress? I just know that a lot of places hold you to the entire cost of the dress once it has been ordered. A friend of mine was in a similar situation, but after re-reading her sales contract she realized that there was no turning back once the bridal salon orders the dress, she was thinking she would just walk away from the deposit.  Turns out, if she didn't pick up the dress, come in for alterations/fitting, etc. within 30 days of the dress arriving they would charge her CC for the remaining balance.