$300 - $500 Dress Budget Realistic?

@MrsOhler, Thanks. I understood what you meant, but my friend found the statement tad bit offensive.

While I agree with you, I might add that it is also important to take an entire post in consideration rather than just taking bits and pieces out of context and assuming that I am attacking the all chinese people and chinese businesses.

Moving on now to other helpful suggestions for Marilyn and her dress budget.

I think that it is important to try on what you consider to be your dream dress, regardless of the price. That way, you can make sure that you love the fit. It will be easier to find one that matches the fit knowing that you look great in that style. If the sales person doesn't let you try it on, you will never know if it ever was the right dress for you. You can always look online at consignment dresses or on ebay to try get one for a lot less money. Try looking at

www.preownedweddingdresses.com

www.encorebridal.com

Also sign up at ideelii.com. They often have wedding dress sales and all of their clothes are new and usually within your budget.

Good luck!

I bought my dress for $300 from David's Bridal. I know some people have had bad experiences. Mine was great! It's all about your particular store and the actual consultant you get. Some look at you like a paycheck. Others actually care.

However, there are other options. You can try a used dress, like recycledbride.com or preownedwedding.com. I'd stongly suggest you get properly sized for ther dress at a salon and make sure you communicate with the previous owner about any alterations that were done to the dress. If you get something very simple, it is fine. But the dress will need alterations, and those are not cheap. Make sure you leave plenty of budget for those! If you have beading, expect alterations to be over $200...

There are other inexpensive salons, like Alfred Angelo.

Ashley- I think I went there too! I ended up buying a sample from another store near my home town in CT instead because the dresses I loved at the consignment shop were more expensive and I didn't love them more.

Consignment shops and samples are a great way to go if you're looking for a budget dress. You will not get the most recent designs, but that's never been important to me. You can still find a gorgeous dress that doesn't look ancient!

Found your dress at recycle bride from a pro seller. http://www.recycledbride.com/listing/wedding-dresses/allure-bridals-8770-1

This particular vendor is still not selling it within your budget though

Does anyone know of another reputable site that may have the dress cheaper?

If you are concerned if a site is an authorized dealer, just call or chat with them and ask.

ex. when I chatted with one

They didn't understand the question "Are you an authorized dealer?"

I had to explain, "Is the Demetios dress a real Demetrios? Are you an authorized dealer to see Demetrois gowns?"

They told me, "No, we tailor the dresses according to the pics."

Leigit sites

www.bestbridalprices.com

www.houseofbrides.com

www.ebridalsuperstore.com/CategorySearchResults.asp?category=BM

David's bridal

www.weddingtonway.com

or shop the resale sites - some are never worn dresses, they are just a bride that changed her mind

Bravo Bride

Brideshare

Craigslist

Event Leftovers

Event Swap

eBay

eBay classifieds

OnceWed

PreownedWeddingDresses

Recycled bride

And this is why people say to be careful about the knock-off sites

Good Morning America reported on what you might get from a site like that

~ Watch the video ~

http://gma.yahoo.com/yes-dress-tips-tricks-save-money-dream-wedding-015018953.html

Also tons of links to WW-brides 1st hand stories and examples why NOT to purchase a knock-off- please read

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/does-anyone-have-experience-ordering-wedding-gowns-from-china/46e88c085a8fc452.html

Quick links to some

www.preownedweddingdresses.com/

www.bravobride.com/

www.recycledbride.com/

www.oncewed.com/used-wedding-dresses/

www.woreitonce.com/products.cfm

www.weddingbee.com

www.encorebridal.com/

www.bridetobrideboutique.com/

Good info Hayley C. and i love weddington way. I love that you can save your favorites and invite bridesmaids to rank the dresses. I became a member of weddingtonway a few months back and I love it so far. I kinda wish they had some wedding dresses because they have a try before you buy program.

This one woman was lucky, because her mother is a talented seamstress all she had to do was pick the dress from the magazine and her mom made it.

Go to 5:30 to see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Shke9sd-NE

My aunt is great. She owns a boutique and looks at dresses and knows exactly how to construct it and make a pattern for it. I also have a cousin starting her own urban line. Both of them have done weddings but I don't like the idea of doing business with family. Plus I am in love with Claire Pettibone and I saved up to buy my dream dress.

For some people having a very talented close friend to make your dress could be an option, but it could ruin relationships too lol

Been to David's Bridal for other peoples weddings and they have found dresses under 500. Especially during their dress sales. One wedding our BM gowns were 140 we went the counter they rung up for 47. I'm going during this current sale bc a dress I love is on sale for 700.

I remember one of the brides here used simplybridal.com. She loved her dress and they seem to have great prices.

I have yet to dress shop, just been browsing online, Im going to need 2! lol I want a more couture style for my Vegas elopement and more simple for my reception party. I just have to go try on dress as I dont know if couture will work for me Im almost 40 and they seemed more geared/appropriate for a younger bride. I look much younger but idk.. lol

Ok, the only thing I will say about the online ordering is this...this morning I was watching David Tutera and he literally pleaded onscreen for brides to NEVER order their dress online. This poor brides dress was a complete wreck.

Now, that being said, I went to a bridal salon here in AZ called Brilliant Bridal, the ladies there were incredible. I bought off the rack and found an amazing gown for only $500. I didn't have to "settle" and they even let me make payments. I sent my friend there and she also bought her gown for under $500. My advice is to be honest and to check with smaller shops, they may sell your favorite gown as a sample.

Just got my dress last Wednesday and its everything that I could have wanted. I tried on 5 dresses and the one I picked fit me perfect, and come to find out it was discontinued and they had only three sizes left. One of which was my size. It was originally $500, I got it for $250! Davids Bridal is definitely a place I would recommend looking. They always have dresses on sale. You're certainly bound to find a dress you like and for a good price.

I bought my dress for Alfred Angelo. My budget was $500. She started bringing out some dresses that were in that price range. I asked her if they had any clearance dresses and she said yes. She brought mine out. It was $900 clearanced out to $400 and I had a 50% off coupon so with taxes I think I paid $221. And I LOVE my dress. Didn't settle one bit.

ETA: I paid $142 in alterations. For the bustle and tightening a little at the bust. The rest was perfect.

Also check special occasion dresses, many would work as a wedding dress at a much more reasonable price. I linked one below I love..

Im staying under $500 too, not for budget reasons. I would just rather spend money on a lens! ha ha Im going to do a "trash the dress" with a model after my elopement anyways. lol So under $500 is where Im staying.

Less than $300.

http://www.houseofbrides.com/bonny-special-occasion-dress-style-7911-p-4-9-4774.aspx

I had the same budget for my dress and was able to try on some beautiful dresses at a few different shops, checked out consignment shops and sample dresses. One store I went to only had about two dresses in my price range so I recommend asking in advance so you don't waste your time. I ended up finding a dress I liked in a store that was over my budget but found the same dress (a Maggie Sottero) on recycledbride and even with alterations stayed under $500. It's definitely possible!

I know where you can order your dress within your price range.... CHINA....that's if you are not afraid to this. Go to www.topspartner.com only work with Kathy Woo. Very inexpensive, can make just about anything you can imagine and shipping is cheap too. My friends have used her to make wedding gowns, mother of the bride and prom dresses etc. Best part is it only takes two months. My dress will be back this week. As soon as I get it I'll post pics....

When you find some stores you would like to try out, call them beforehand to get an idea of the prices of the dresses they have. That way you don't waste your time or effort by finding out the hard way if the store is not for you.

@WW Christina, why is it that this troll ^^ hasn't been blocked yet?