Communion Dresses???

[mep319]

Any idea of where to look that I can actually obtain a reasonable dress...like under $75.00? It's amazing $100+ for a dress worn once!

Any advice.....websites appreciated. Unfortunately many of the websites I looked at that were fairly cheap don't have a return policy and my DD has an unusual build and can wear anywhere from a 8-12...so I really can't take that chance. Thanks!

 

[goofyforlife]

We got my daughter's dress at David's Bridal. (a flower girl dress) but we did pay about $100 for it.

I could have spent less but at the time we lived in an isolated area and I didn't like the 2 or 3 choices that walmart or jc penney had.

Glad I did get something different though.....

Maybe you could look on e-bay for a gently used flower girl dress or try a consignment store that specializes in childrens or wedding apparel....

UPDATE: I looked under communion dresses on e-bay and they have some really nice dresses in that size range that are under $50 even after shipping.


My daughters dress was bigger, a 14 I think, otherwise I'd offer hers at a reasonable price.

 

[lyeag]

Sadly, 1st communion has become a "let's see who can spend the most money affair". It is amazing between the veils, the gloves, shoes, capes....... you know what I am talking about. Anyway, try Sears. If I remember right they always carry some. That will be your best bet for a new dress that is reasonable. Also,if you don't have a problem with a "used dress" try some second hand stores. I found a few fancy dresses there when my oldest daughter was young and I knew she would only wear the dress once. ( Who needs to blow 80-90 on a 2 year old's dress? )

One other idea is to contact any mothers you know who have daughters older than yours who might still have their dresses. Maybe you could borrow one. I have my oldest's dress hanging and waiting to see if my younger daughter can wear it next year. Good Luck!

 

[mep319]

I know what you mean about the lets see who spends more money...as far as David's bridal is concerned that is the norm around here not the exception. They have parties that are basically small showers...my husband is a caterer. I've seem many an affair....rented halls w/ DJs &/or bands, sweet tables, gift tables. I grew up in FL and we didn't do all that! They are basically mini weddings around here! I've already bucked the norm and drew the line at just immediately family and dinner after ward. Unfortuately I was the first to have kids of my friends so my daughter is the oldest. She has been a flower girl many times but none of the dresses fit her. I actually got a dress on clearnace at Storybook Heirlooms for $75.00 ...it is a bit more elaborate than I would like but I have a feeling most will be even fancier. Maybe I'll just leave it at that. I'll check Penney's and Sears...I can always return the one I have. Thanks!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

We have a Burlington coat factory here that usually always has beautiful first communion dresses. I've never priced them but there prices are usually very reasonable and I very thrifty and shop around.
You could also try EBAY.
Luckey

 

[goofyforlife]

We only had a simple picnic in my backyard with my immediate family....

It ended up being a beautiful spring day. We had sub trays ordered and salads. (my gm made most of the salads) It didn't cost terribly much.


I've seen the storeybook catalogs....Their dresses are really nice. OK some cost more than a wedding/prom gown BUT....

 

[Disney_1derland]

There is a lady on ebay I have bought from, she has a 100% satisfaction guarantee and she has lots of Buy It Now's or in the under $20 range for AMAZING dresses....

Do a search for angelickids or her ebay store is butterflyyxc try this link:

dresses

 

[Disney_1derland]

And here is another woman I've bought from on ebay....

more dresses

 

[Disney_1derland]

and here's one I haven't bought from but in the right price range:

dresses again

 

[lyeag]

DJ's, renting halls? You have got to be kidding! Not that I am a huge budget minded person, but that is a lot of money to spend on what should be a very spiritual event. No problem with a celebration....we always did something at home- cake, deli trays... a few friends and family. We never expect gifts excpet perhaps from the godparents and parents of the child.

I love my children, but I often worry about giving them too much. I probably err on the side of being cheap with them. I see so many children who have such expensive toys and clothes etc..... It is too much

 

[cmrules]

Take your daughter with you if you Go to Burlington Coat Factory. They have great deal, but horrible return policies.

 

[MrsPete]

lyeag --

I agree that people are really going overboard with kids' celebrations these days. (Certainly not refering to anyone on this board in the least! Just commenting on what I see in my own life.) I know a girl who had a limo to take the little girls to the Putt-Putt place for her 6th birthday party! Her mother even said, "I don't know why in the world we did that." I know another little girl whose family literally lives hand-to-mouth -- their power and phone have been cut off several times, etc. The mom wanted to give her two girls a treat on the last day of school, so she picked them up from school in a limo!

My children think we're poor because we won't do things like that! We have simple backyard birthday parties, we buy used clothing (for children and adults), we grocery shop at the salvage place, and we buy toys only on Christmas and birthdays (in between they have their allowance and can work for extra).

Going back to the original question about the dress . . . I didn't know that a first communion dress was such a big deal. We Southern Baptists don't make a lot of it -- perhaps the family'd go out to dinner after church (meaning just the immediate family -- not like a big celebration). I'm guessing this is either a Catholic thing or a regional thing?

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

You should see the white "Communion" dresses in Boscov's in a few weeks, priced reasonably. Mostly they are a little more modern, but all white nonetheless.

 

[patriciah2]

Check out Value City if there is one near you - also not sure ir they'ed have them ,but there is Gabriel's near where I live - can get some good bargains there. I always call first before I make a trip if I am looking for something specific.

 

[DianeV]

What size are you looking for? I have both of my daughters that were only worn once that I planned to put on ebay..If they are the right size I could send you pics

 

[kccmommy]

Look at the seller "fashiongarden " on ebay. She has tons of new dresses and they are going for buy it now prices of about $29

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I went shopping last week for a white dress for a wedding my daughter will be in. I didn't have time to stop at David's Bridal, but I did look at JCPenney. They had pretty much exactly what I was looking for and at 25% off. So the dresses would have been in the 35-70$ range. I would have bought one but was unsure of what specifically the bride wanted for the flower girl. I wanted to keep the bride happy you know!! I will probably end up with one of these, if there are any left. Do they sell out fast? Their return policy is 30 days with tags and reciept. Hope this helps.

 

[pammypooh]

I bought my dd's flower girl dresses and 1st Communion dress from Ebay and plan to do the same this year for my youngest dd. Butterflyx is one of the sellers that I have bought from and would do so again. The dresses are a very nice quality and I like that they show the measurements for the different sizes.

Our date is April 16 and we will have a small family and friends party here at our house after the 1st Communion. Not fancy. My mom and I did the cooking last year. Plan to again.

Pam

 

[lindaso]

Wow, I'm so glad I stumbled upon this thread. My girlfriend and I were just saying that we had to get started on the communion dress hunt. My DD's is the first Saturday in May. This is all new to me as this is not my religion but as the mom, I'm responsible for wardrobe!!

I love these ebay dresses, now I need my DD home from school to measure her and give me her input. She is also very hard to find clothes for. We tried on 12 pairs of pants 2 weeks ago and only 2 fit well enough to buy. Many times the regular size is too small but the "extra" sizes are way too big...she's not fat, just solid all around. I definitely need to measure her.

Thanks for the great info.

 

[jlw29]

This tip will only be helpful for the OP, but mep, have you tried the bridal outlet (Bridaltown? can't remember the right name) on Germantown Pike in Collegeville? In addition to wedding gowns, they have flower girl dresses and I would imagine communion dresses. I've heard the prices are fabulous.

I remember wearing what looked like choir robes at my first communion because the parish wanted to avoid the whole "who has the fanciest dress" stuff.