Explain "Wedding Dresses" to us guys

[M&M126]

hahaha i love it. The one day reason is a perfect reason why they shouldn't cost so much.

I wonder why the wedding dress rental business isn't as lucrative as the tuxedo rental business.

Because women dont want to wear a dress that a bunch of other women wore

 

[Belle1981]

M&m126-great Point!!!!!

 

[Sirron]

Okay, i give up.

 

[M&M126]

Ok good haha

Face it. Men and women will never see eye to eye on many things. This is one of them.

 

[Sirron]

Admit that it's one of the few where men are right though. LOL Guys are wrong the rest of the time. hahaha

 

[M&M126]

Admit that it's one of the few where men are right though. LOL Guys are wrong the rest of the time. hahaha

Alright I'll admit men are right about THAT but thats really about it...

 

[Sirron]

Alright I'll admit men are right about THAT but thats really about it...

i can live with that. HAHA

 

[sarahknowles]

double post

 

[sarahknowles]

Finding "the dress" is a like finding "the one" that you are getting married to. Okay, maybe that's exaggerating a little bit... but not much! How a woman feels in her wedding dress affects her whole experience as a bride. Putting on a wedding dress is a transforming experience for a woman. It symbolizes the change from maiden to wife. This is one of those few defining moments in life. Like losing one's virginity, or giving birth, or going through menopause, getting married is a rite of passage for many women, and the dress is a representation of this. It is a once in a lifetime experience and choosing "the dress" isn't subject to the same practical considerations as other purchases. It is such an emotionally charged decision, and unfortunately a lot of companies capitalize on this. I wish it weren't so, and our dream dresses were less expensive, but that just isn't the case.

I should also say, I'm pretty financially conservative in most regards. I don't buy many clothes, and when I do they are usually on sale or from discount stores. I would never consider paying over $100 for a pair of shoes, and I'm not even a big fan of jewelry. That said, when I buy my wedding dress, all bets are off (up to $1500 anyway). I hope I fall in love with something inexpensive, but whatever it takes to make me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world, that will be "the one".

 

[cryssi]

Because women dont want to wear a dress that a bunch of other women wore

egg-zactly...

I know a girl who rented her dress, though. I suppose if you want a designer gown without the designer price...

I could have picked the dress that was 1/2 the price of the one I got...I just felt so much more princessy in the higher priced one, my mom told me to get it since I loved it...

 

[jmmastra]

Sirron, I agree with you.....the cost is insane for one day and one wearing but the MEMORY is forever!!!!

This is what we have dreamt of since we were little. I have a 3.5 yr old niece who talks constantly about her "marrying dress" she already knows what she wants and when her day comes she will spend whatever it takes to find the right "marrying dress".

I spent $600 on my dress...but I think the real question is the cost of the alterations!!!!! just to French bussel $200...the shoes $75, the comb $90...but the MEMORY...priceless

 

[heatherlynn444]

to the OP, I spent 800 on my dress and almost couldn't do it, (and my PARENTS were paying, not me) If I saw a dress I "had to have" for 2000 dollars (really anything over 1000) then I just just have to find another dress. while I do agree it is your only wedding day blah blah, I also don't want to go into debt or make my family go into debt b/c of a dress I wear for one day. I just don't think that is right. SO if you can afford it and justify it and feel ok about it, go for it, But i don't really understand spending a TON on a dress. (like over 1000) when i thihnk of all the otehr things i could buy, like "that is almost one months house payment" then i have a hard time spending the $$

 

[JandJ]

My DH didn't even ask or care - and he's the most frugal person I know! He knew I wouldn't blow the bank, I actually came in under our budget for the entire wedding and honeymoon. My mom paid for 1/2 of my gown and I got a great deal. It's designer and was made to my measurements and has minimal but gorgeous beading. I knew the second I put it on - it was The One. It fit great, looked great, and I loved it!

I won't concede that wedding dresses shouldn't cost so much. That's why there is so much variety. Some people can afford a $10,000 Vera Wang and some people can afford a $199 DB. So long as you don't blow your budget, get what you want. So what that you wear it once - it is the most important day in your life and you'll remember forever how you looked and felt that day - or at least you're supposed to.

And as far as wearing your mother's gown or saving it for your daughter - I would have been thrilled to have worn my mom's gown, but even though I'm a size 2/4 my mom's was too small for me! I did wear her gown once - when I was 10 to a Halloween party!! My gown, no way will anyone else wear it - it was MINE

 

[Chantelle]

My friend said at woman at her work was having her wedding dress made into a christening outfit for their new baby. I thought this was a pretty cool idea to use your dress again in a very significant way. Of course it does mean cutting up your dress, but this way it does get worn again.

 

[StephSFL]

I won't say how much my dress cost- it makes me feel sort of ill. However, with all the dress problems we had it was great that on our wedding day I had a dress I felt like a bride in.

I agree with many of the other ladies on here- it's not the cost, but how you feel! If it gives you that this is the one/bubbly feeling, then that is what really matters.

For the OP, my DH spent $1200 on his tux because HE wanted to look good on that day . . . he just didn't like the rentals! Now that gives me a laugh!

OT! Now alteration costs . . . that is ridiculous! I originally was going to purchase a gown at NM and they assured me that they would cap the alterations costs at $600!!!! I was shocked when they told me that, but didn't realize that was a bargain for some dresses!

 

[jmmastra]

OT! Now alteration costs . . . that is ridiculous! I originally was going to purchase a gown at NM and they assured me that they would cap the alterations costs at $600!!!! I was shocked when they told me that, but didn't realize that was a bargain for some dresses![/QUOTE]

OMG $600!!!! I about fell over when she said $200

 

[JandJ]

It seems like alterations costs are some of the biggest headaches. I don't know how, but my dress required no alterations, save for one tiny thing that cost $20! Maybe because they made it to my measurements? It didn't even require hemming. My bridal consultant measured it for 2 inch heels and I got 2 inch heels and it was perfect It is a shame to have to spend money on the most expensive dress you'll likely ever own and then spend more money to get it to fit right

 

[Ember]

What's to explain? Different people have different uses for discretionary money. You'd like a big screen tv, some people go to sports games, others have expensive vehicles, still others buy Jessica Simpson's chewed gum... I personally see no need for any of these things and wouldn't dream of spending my money on them - but I don't think that people who do are messed up in the head. It's what makes them happy and what better use is there for money? (Going into debt for material things is another story, however...) And we are on a Disney forum... There are an awful lot of people who simply don't understand going to Disney and spending money... It's all about perspective!

My dress is a couture gown - it was not inexpensive. But the material is 100% silk, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and the dress makes me feel utterly beautiful and amazing. I will remember my wedding day for the rest of my life, and part of my memories will be the feeling of wearing my gown.

Besides, if you want to be cynical, a wedding is pretty well a "waste" as well. You don't need the pomp and excess to get married. A justice of the peace will work just fine and in the end you'll be just as married. But it's a special event and people want to acknowledge it as such with all the appropriate ceremony.