Dresses under 2-3k ??

[Carats]

So as some of you may know, I am frantically still looking for a dress. Still haven''t found anything for my august date!

I was wondering for people that brought dresses under 2-3 k would you mind posting pics or places you looked? I am trying to find nice affordable dress options but unfortunately have had no luck. A few dresses I liked were out of my budget so I''m trying to figure out what to do...I''m assuming not all brides are like the ones on say yes to the dress and have like 10,000 to spend on a dress!!!

 

[Nov2109]

My dress is alfred angelo. His prices are pretty reasonable...my dress was $1600 and I lucked out that the bridal shop was having a 20% off sale...so not too bad when all is said and done...there are flagship stores across the country(US) and many salons carry his line...

I just couldn''t justify spending that much on one dress...I''ve had a love hate with my dress, but partially because it was ordered 3-4 sizes too big, but the quality of the gown surpasses the price... and I am finally loving my dress again after alterations

There are a ton of designers out there who are not 5k+ lines...I''m sure the ladies on here will be able to help you out.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

I don''t think I tried on any gowns over $3000. I ended up buying the Blue by Enzoani "Brazil" for right around $2K. There was another bridal salon selling it for $2400 so sometimes I think it depends on where you''re shopping.

I''ve included links to two of my gown shopping trips (with pictures). I tried on Paloma Blanca, Enzoani, Maggie Sottero and some other designers. None of the dresses I tried on were over $3000. You''re darn right that not all of us have $10,000 to spend on a dress! I''d guess it''s very few ladies here in BWW with that kind of budget. Maybe go through the sticky thread with pictures of everyone''s gowns. I''d venture to guess that the majority are under $5000. Maybe even under $3000. I''m sure some other brides will chime in with their gowns and what they paid.

Anyway, here are the links to the gowns I tried on under $3000:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gown-shopping-pics-inside.121786/
and
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/gown-shopping-round-2-pics-inside-of-course.125978/

 

[lulu66]

i ended up w/ pronovias; mine was right over $1000. i almost ended up w/mori lee (which was $500) and i tried on casablanca and anjolique (i think that the spelling). what type of dress are you looking for? what have you tried on already? that would help provide with some collections you might like.

 

[laughwithme]

My Casablanca was just under 1k. Might consider looking at that dress-maker.

 

[Carats]

So I want a tight-fitted mermaid. I like some that are really plain but sophisticated but sometimes I like beading (if tastefully done).

I was thinking of maybe taking a huge risk and buy a second hand dress online but don''t know how many sizes above my size I can buy and still have them alter it. I''m a size 0 in real life so I think I''d be a size 4 bridal. I know its a huge risk but I don''t know what to do. I''ve been to a bunch of places with the little amount of free time I have because of my job and I haven''t found anything. I traveled 3 hours to a place this weekend because on the website it said they had a bunch of designers but when I got there they had almost NO mermaids and only maybe a few pieces from each designer. Not useful at all...

 

[lulu66]

can you link a few dress you love? what is your budget limit?

 

[Clairitek]

My Marisa 737 retailed for about $1800. I paid $1200 at Pearl''s Place. It was silk organza with reembroidered alencon lace and a mermaid shape.

Link to thread where I first found the dress

My pro pics so you can see the gown in action.
Pro Pic Wedding Thread

I tried on gowns everywhere from Kleinfeld to the consignment shop in Ardmore, PA (You''re in Philly, right?... have you given that place a shot?? Well worth a trip.)

Here is my thread from my trip to Sabrina Ann

I really love Jim Hjelm gowns. They might be a tad bit over $3000 but I think they are gorgeous.

 

[lulu66]

Date: 3/7/2010 8:46:21 PM
Author: Clairitek



I really love Jim Hjelm gowns. They might be a tad bit over $3000 but I think they are gorgeous.

i was thinking jim hjelm from what she described too. carats, have you looked at/tried on any?

 

[Carats]

Interestingly enough, I find that I love 2007/2008 styles so much more than this seasons styles!!

I love Priscilla of Boston (so pricey though!), Kenneth Pool, Amsale, Romona Keveza, Rivini...

I have tried on some pieces from each but not all the ones I like online since the stores never have them.

I have never been to the consignment store in ardmore?! Maybe I should check it out. Sadly, I am so tired of this process and running out of energy when it comes to actually trying dresses on!

 

[Carats]

I like these: what do you all think? I haven''t tried any on yet since I can never find places that actually have the dresses I am looking for...! Maybe this will give you a better sense of what I am looking for...

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/jimhjelm/detail/137063?f=217%3A1952&offset=4

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/giambattistavalli/detail/212519?offset=599

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/giambattistavalli/detail/212401?offset=668

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/giambattistavalli/detail/211906?offset=928

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/giambattistavalli/detail/189668?offset=1413

http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/runway/designer/giambattistavalli/detail/189624?offset=1446

 

[honey22]

Date: 3/7/2010 8:46:21 PM
Author: Clairitek
My Marisa 737 retailed for about $1800. I paid $1200 at Pearl''s Place. It was silk organza with reembroidered alencon lace and a mermaid shape.


Link to thread where I first found the dress


My pro pics so you can see the gown in action.

Pro Pic Wedding Thread


I tried on gowns everywhere from Kleinfeld to the consignment shop in Ardmore, PA (You''re in Philly, right?... have you given that place a shot?? Well worth a trip.)


Here is my thread from my trip to Sabrina Ann


I really love Jim Hjelm gowns. They might be a tad bit over $3000 but I think they are gorgeous.

Wow clairtek, your gown was simply stunning, I would have thought you had paid a lot more than that!!!

 

[megumic]

I ordered a Casablanca and it was under $1k, but takes too long to order - like 6 months! I suggest finding samples or perhaps going off the rack at like JCrew Bridal. Or, buy used! Saves and you''d have it quick to make alterations!

 

[tigerhearted]

I paid ~$1800 for my Pronovias. Including my veil and tax I think it all came to $2200.

 

[havernell]

You're in the Philadelphia area, right (I think I recall you mentioning Philly in a previous post)? If so, you should check out Sabrina Ann in Haverford/Ardmore (www.sabrinaann.com). It's a high end wedding gown consignment shop where you can get pre-owned or former sample gowns for a lot cheaper than buying them new. I looked there for gowns and almost bought one from her (the owner Sabrina is super sweet) but I managed to find the gown as a store sample for even cheaper elsewhere. But, I did buy my earrings from her. Anyway, a lot of gowns there will be in your price range and they had lots of different styles/designers in the store when I went. Also, I know you mentioned that you're getting short on time- one of the best parts about buying there is that you walk out with the gown the day you buy it, so no waiting for a salon to order the dress in for you.

Good luck!

 

[blueroses]

Oh, Jeez no!!

I mean...I deliberately didn''t shop anywhere with dresses over $1200, and I don''t think I even liked a dress that cost more than $800--which was just lucky.

And as it happened....the "one" happened to be marked from $399 down to $299

...and then $250 at the register. (SWEET!)

Moral of the story? Think about giving the big box stores like David''s Bridal a chance. Some of their stuff is cheesy, yes...but some is not. I''m really happy with my dress, and there were at least 3-4 other dresses there I would have been very happy with.

Food for thought! In another universe with a bigger budget, would I put another zero at the end of my dress cost? Sure! But honestly, for a dress I''m wearing once....I''m thrilled that that''s more money for me to spend on the string lights, paper lanterns, tea lights, wine, food, etc. that I''m obsessively researching.

Anyway. HAPPY searching, and post when you choose!!

 

[blueroses]

And, not to threadjack, but to give you an idea of another within a smaller budget dress...

When I was an LIW the first time around and engaged for 2.7 seconds, I had dress #1 (currently on ebay, New with tags, woohoo!)

Anyway, this was bought at the now defunct Demetrios outlet--retailed at the main store for 1100 and I got it for 600.

Point being...you can get dresses for way less than Kleinfields would like you to think.

 

[Gypsy]

Yup. I bought many dresses. I think I hold the PS record for that actually. 6 dresses. One of them was bought at Klienfelds but it was 2600, and I didn''t take possesion of it so I only lost my deposit. I still have two samples gowns I didn''t wear. Should get those up on ebay one of these days. Maybe tomorrow.

The others I purchased well, other places. My final gown though... I was choosing between a Sottero and Midgley and the one I bought. Both where under 1000 through netbride. And netbride ROCKs man. Best site.


Your biggest challenge is going to be AUGUST WEDDING. I''d call netbride and ask them what likes they work with that can be done with a rush order. Then look at those lines.

http://watters.com/catalog_list_all.php?ssid=16 Watters Dresses are affordable. Beautiful AND they have an entire section that lists Quick delivery styles!


http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&showid=933

http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&showid=773

http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&showid=960

http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&showid=949

http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&coll=brides&showid=935

http://watters.com/product.php?ssid=16&coll=brides&showid=765#

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=2522

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=2524

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=2404#

http://watters.com/product.php?coll=brides&showid=667

 

[meresal]

Date: 3/7/2010 7:57:30 PM
Author:Carats
So as some of you may know, I am frantically still looking for a dress. Still haven't found anything for my august date!

I was wondering for people that brought dresses under 2-3 k would you mind posting pics or places you looked? I am trying to find nice affordable dress options but unfortunately have had no luck. A few dresses I liked were out of my budget so I'm trying to figure out what to do...I'm assuming not all brides are like the ones on say yes to the dress and have like 10,000 to spend on a dress!!!

I would venture to say that probably 90% of brides don't spend over $3000 on a dress. If you cannot afford a dress that is over $3000, I would stop going to those places all together and/or stop trying on dresses that are out of your price range. This will keep you from lusting after a dress you cannot buy.

I think you need to open your eyes to other places, instead of high end boutiques. I'm not from your area, but all you have to do is search on google and it will you every dress shop in town. There are TONS of gorgeous dresses out there that aren't made by the top designers.

I found my dress on a clearance rack at a boutique. It was $521. The dress had just been discontinued, marked to 50% off, and was moved off of the main racks that afternoon.

 

[Amzizzle]

My Jim Hjelm was $900 (it was a sample) but I do know the original price tag was $2500.So it may be a designer to take a look at.

 

[princessplease]

I got a Casablanca for ~$700. The shop actually sold me the floor sample for 40% off because they were making way for the Fall ''09 collections (I bought in May ''09), so I got an amazing deal!
I would definitely check out preownedweddingdresses.com if you want a couture gown for a not so couture price!

 

[Cupcake*Muffin]

I had a dressmaker on Etsy make me a replica of a Jim Hjelm dress (8813) and I love it. She did all the bead work and the crystals by hand. The dress is really pretty and looks like the pictures. The only down side I would say is that it is currently at least a dress size too small for me to fit into. However, that being said, the dress maker is going to let it out, but not until closer to the date, and hem and bussel the dress for me for free. So all in all, a $6000k dress only cost me $565 with shipping (I do have to ship it back to get all the alterations done). That might be an option, finding a dress you like and just have someone make it.

 

[caribqueen]

I agree with Meresal. You may be surprised at the beautiful dresses you could find at a middle of the road salon. I would say one a little fancier then David''s Bridal and not as fancy as places like Priscilla of Boston. You can easily find dresses that are good quality in the $700 - $2000 range in those kinds of places. But you will have to google to find them and just stop in. They''d carry dresses like Pronovias, Maggie Sottero, etc...

 

[rockzilla]

I got my dress from Amy Kuschel. It was between $2-3k so at the top of your range, but 100% silk and gorgeous. I got mine at the flagship store in San Francisco but I believe she sells in stores around the country:

http://www.amykuschel.com/

For me, it was the perfect match - high end design, fabrics, construction, without the $5k+ price tag.

 

[monkeyprincess]

My Maggie Sottero was right about at the $1000 mark. I chose not look at dresses that were above that price, and I saw many beautiful dresses. I think you have a very reasonable budget and should have no trouble finding something in that range that you will love.

 

[elrohwen]

Depending the style you want, you can find a dress for this price almost anywhere. I got my dress at Priscilla of Boston in NYC and it was only $1500. Granted, they didn''t have a lot of styles in the under $3k catagory, but they had exactly the dress I was looking for. If you want something simple, you should be able to get it anywhere with that budget. If you want tons of lace, crystals, etc, maybe someone else can point you in the right direction.

 

[zipzapgirl]

Take a look at the La Sposa Fanal thread. Gorgeous mermaid dress that all of the girls dressed up differently. I paid about $750+alterations for mine.

I tried on a way-too-expensive-for-me dress at Saks Boutique and had a little talk with the saleslady. She said that "you can always find a dress in your price range" with a little wink.

 

[Carats]

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice!

Any suggestions on places to visit in the PA, delaware, NJ, DC area that are worth visiting? I''ve wasted so much time at the wrong places and need to really get efficient quickly if I''m going to be able to find a dress in time for August

 

[Nov2109]

Jay West in Haddonfield, NJ has beautiful dresses as does the Bridal Garden in Cherry Hill...both are great, if I had lived in the Philly area before I bought my dress(I bought it back where I grew up) I would have most likely purchased my dress at either of those two stores...I''ve heard nothing but good things about either place and frequently window shop there.

Check out their websites for the designers they carry, I know they both carry mid to upscale designers.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

i would agree with everyone here... you can find a dress at any price! just be open to looking at smaller boutique places, and larger places like david''s bridal. before i found my dress, i was seconds away from setting up a "consultation" whatever at david''s bridal.

i don''t know much about the philly area, but i found a small local seamstress/dressmaker near where i grew up who is custom-making my dress for under 1K. it''s not super extravagent, but also not uber simple.

i also wouldn''t worry about labels, as long as the dress is a good quality and it something you love! also once you find a dress you love, you can also try to find it for cheaper online on ebay or craigslist or something. my sister''s friend found her dream dress and then went on craigslist and bought it for way cheaper. as always though, be careful when dealing with private sales, etc.

do you have an idea of what your dream dress looks like? if so, please post pics! maybe some members can help you find similar ones within your price range best of luck!