Not buying the dress you thought you wanted

I went in knowing I wanted a ballgown, but I tried on a fitted trumpet dress and I loved it. I was going to order it, but turns out that the designer no longer makes it, and it was wayy to small to buy off the rack. I winded up getting a giant ball gown. I wasn't sure about it, but when I returned and tried it on again I knew it was my dress.

Have you seeing if there is a trunk show you could buy it at? They may offer some sort of discount off the dress. You can probably find something similar within your price range if you find that you do like it.

I saw a dress online, and instantly I knew it was 'the one'. But it was about $600 more than I wanted to spend. I happened to have an appointment at that shop the following week. So I went, and stuck to my budget and left without allowing myself to even try it on.

Over the next month I visited 6/7 other shops and found nothing.

So, I made another appointment with the first shop, specifically to try on the dress I loved.

And the moment I put it on, I knew- I had to make it happen. I talked with my fiance, and he was the one who told me I better get it. (To be fair, I am able to afford it- my budget restriction was self imposed because I felt that spending that much on a dress was just too frivolous.)

But, my point is- you get to do this once, why regret your dress choice? Go big!

So, I went into the bridal shop and was asked to describe the dress I'm looking for:

- Sheath

- Lace

- Open back

- Illusion neckline

The dress I fell in love with was just that surprisingly!

OP, how much out of your price range is this dress? If you really can't afford it, I wouldn't bother trying it on. You're going to fall in love with it and not be able to get it. How about using that as an inspiration picture to show bridal consultants when you are ready to try on dresses? They can definitely try to find something similar within your budget. Also, be open-minded when trying on dresses; you might fall in love with something completely different!

Definitely go in with a picture and see if your consultant can find a similar style!

Don't be afraid to at least try on all the different silhouettes as well.

I went in thinking I wanted a dress that was not white/ivory, really lacy and elegant with a keyhole back and more fitted/sheath style. Turns out sheath style looks hoooorible on me lol. I ended up with this crazy huge ballgown! At least I got my color wish lol (it has layers of blush tulle and a layer of grey making the skirt look more on the mauve/light purple color).

I was dead set on straps or sleeves, and I wanted organza or really anything but satin, I wanted to no satin anywhere on my dress. I walked out with a strapless all satin gown!

It's $1000 out of my price range, as of Google shopping. It's not that we can't afford it, it's kind of like Erica with a self (fiance) imposed budget. Lol

I wanted a tea length lace gown and absolutely no strapless. I ended with a blinged out long strapless ball gown.

I had a rough idea of what I wanted going in. I wanted a HUGE train. Absolutely no strapless whatsoever, preferably lace. Probably not satin or big, poofy tulle. A-line, definitely. What'd I end up with?

A big, strapless, satin ballgown. AND I LOVE IT.

Edit: Mine was a few hundred out of my budget (with alterations and the veil), but the second I saw it, I knew it was my dress. I knew that if I didn't get it, I'd be disappointed with whatever dress I DID get. I say if you think you can swing it, do it. Dress regret is a very real thing.

I was in love with one I was going to buy online. But when I tried on the I ended up getting, I fell in love.

I suggest you go dress shopping with the picture of your dress and tell the person helping you your situation, you want this dress but its out of your price range. They will be able to help you find something in your price range that is similar. Or you could try used dress sites and see if you can find the one you love.

And once you buy a dress STOP LOOKING!

It can be really, really, REALLY hard to even try on a specific dress, because most stores only carry a handful of dresses from any one designer. I went in with a list of about 30 fit n flare or slim A-line dresses I wanted to try on. 5 of those I LOVED and would sure would be top runners.

4 states and a month later, I hadn't found samples of almost any of the 30 to try on. But I did end up with a slim A-line from the same designer as some of my top 5.

ElleW, beautiful dress!

I knew the general feel of the dress I wanted, but thought I would like something with sleeves and more lace. I ended up with a strapless applique and beaded gown, but with the same general A-Line I was looking for.

I knew exactly what I DIDN'T want. I didn't want a mermaid or trumpet style dress. Refused to try any of them on. We were visiting my home town so I took the opportunity to go dress shopping with my mom & sisters, not expecting to find THE one.

The very first dress I tried on was a solid beaded corded lace A-line and that was the dress I walked out of the store with.

I tried on several other dresses but none of them were flattering. I love my dress.

All of your dresses are so pretty! It does seem smart to wait. There are some Maggie Sottero trunk shows coming up and I really like her dresses too.

I originally wanted the Mori Lee 1959 ball gown until I realized how bad it looked on me since I'm petite. I was all set to buy it online but decided to go with my mom and grandma to try on dresses. I'm lucky I did, I ended up going with a completely different designer and silhouette and I don't regret a single thing about my dress. I'm getting married a month before you and I don't regret buying my dress early. The more I look at the pictures of me in it, the more I love it.

I had an open mind when i went shopping but a budget. they put me in a dress without keeping my budget in mind and i fell in love! NOTHING else added up and i ended up buying the one i wanted (way out of my price range) but i simply wouldnt have been happy with anything else after having that one on. I tried really hard and ended up exploding in tears in front of the worker at a different salon. lol my advice would be get the dress you can't stop thinking about. but also.... MAKE SURE you arent trying on anything outside of your budget.

Pic of my dress, waaay different from what I thought I wanted.

I didn't have a style that I knew that I wanted but I thought I knew what I didn't want and it turned out that that is what I got. I didn't want anything with heavy beading or too formal and I ended up with a big old beaded ball gown

I always dreamed of an October wedding in a long sleeve lace dress. Every dress I tried on looked a hot mess on me! I ended up with a beautiful strapless gown.