How much would you spend on a Communion dress?

[rbuzzotta]

I just spent $200 for dress, jacket and veil. She already has white shoes and tights!!!

I did however promise her that she could get a french manicure the day before!!!! So add another 10!!!

 

[kasar]

Last year, when my DD made her 1st Communion, she was already 5 feet tall with a size 7 women's shoe! I thought for sure we'd have to pay a fortune! Luckily, we bumped into a sale (Macy's, I think) and only paid $75.00 (marked down from $100+). I found shoes at Payless (for one day? you bet!). All in all, I think I did okay. Of course we had the hair done - so that wiped out all savings we made but she sure looked great! LOL.

 

[wilderness01]

Well I guess I can be called one of "those" moms because I spent a small fortune on both my son and my daughter's outfits. I bought what looked the nicest on them. I ended up spending $350 on my son for his entire ensemble. On my daughter, her dress was $165 and is so pretty. I didn't have to buy the crown as she is using the crown my mother wore at her wedding. The rest of the outfit, including the sweater due to it being sleeveless, tights, gloves, veil, the prayer book, rosary, etc. added up to $426 to be exact. I don't understand how anyone can say that because someone spents alot they are diminishing the experience, losing site of the importance or setting a bag example for their daughter. A little judgemental don't you think? She is 8 and has no clue of $. She has no idea what was spent. I can assure you she never looked at any price tags. What 8 year old would? I also don't tell anyone what I spent unless they ask. A few people did that have smaller daughters that will be making their communion in a few years. Preplanning I suppose. I could care less what anyone else thinks or does. It is their child's special day and no one should judge. I have 1 daughter and I want to do what is right for MY family. This outfit in its entirety is right for my daughter! Some of my friends are having their receptions at a regular banquet place. JUST like a wedding. I am having ours at home. Is one right or wrong? I don't think so. It is up to what they want and what they are comfortable with! Live and let live. Not everyone should do things the same unless it would be boring!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by wilderness01
Well I guess I can be called one of "those" moms because I spent a small fortune on both my son and my daughter's outfits. I bought what looked the nicest on them. I ended up spending $350 on my son for his entire ensemble. On my daughter, her dress was $165 and is so pretty. I didn't have to buy the crown as she is using the crown my mother wore at her wedding. The rest of the outfit, including the sweater due to it being sleeveless, tights, gloves, veil, the prayer book, rosary, etc. added up to $426 to be exact. I don't understand how anyone can say that because someone spents alot they are diminishing the experience, losing site of the importance or setting a bag example for their daughter. A little judgemental don't you think? She is 8 and has no clue of $. She has no idea what was spent. I can assure you she never looked at any price tags. What 8 year old would? I also don't tell anyone what I spent unless they ask. A few people did that have smaller daughters that will be making their communion in a few years. Preplanning I suppose. I could care less what anyone else thinks or does. It is their child's special day and no one should judge. I have 1 daughter and I want to do what is right for MY family. This outfit in its entirety is right for my daughter! Some of my friends are having their receptions at a regular banquet place. JUST like a wedding. I am having ours at home. Is one right or wrong? I don't think so. It is up to what they want and what they are comfortable with! Live and let live. Not everyone should do things the same unless it would be boring!

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I don't think there's anything whatsoever wrong with spending whatever you want on your DD/DS FC outfits! For me, it's a VERY special day, just as special/important as my DDs wedding day so if I want her in a very special dress, so be it. I lucked out though and found an $80 dress but would have paid more if we fell in love with one that was more expensive.

For us the FC gown will be an heirloom, passed down to my DD's children so it should be a special gown and I'm not going to worry what I'm spending on it if I can afford it!

 

[wilderness01]

Thanks Beatty family. I feel exactly the same. Frankly I didn't bat an eye. She is my ONLY daughter. I think of it as an heirloom as well. I don't spoil her and again she has no clue what was spent. She only knows that it is a special day for her and she feels very special in her pretty dress. She thinks it is so special that she is wearing her grandmother's crown and that I am letting her wear my first pair of diamond earrings that were made from my grandmother's jewelry after she died. She stated she is so lucky she gets to "wear something from her grandmother, her mother and her great-grandmother". We will all have great memories from her special day and I am so proud of her. She feels so loved and special and should on this very important day. She goes to catholic school and understands the importance of this sacrament. The sacrament of Reconciliation was also an important and exciting day for her. Her school does an excellent job of making the kids understand what each sacrament is and how making the sacraments furthers their involvement/commitment in their faith/church. I just can't believe she is already making her First Communion. It seems like only yesterday she was born........

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

At my niece's church they were disturbed by the contest in who could spend the most (I'm not saying any of you are that way) so they had the girls all wear white "choir-like" robes during the ceremony. I'm trying to remember if the boys were them as well. It actually looked really nice and had all of us paying much more attention to the service rather than the outfits.

 

[cruisnfamily]

DD wore a hand-me-down dress that her cousin had worn the year before. It was white and frilly but probably was bought at Wal-mart or something like that. NOT an expensive dress but it looked beautiful and I have no idea what it cost. I was just so happy not to have to try to find one. She wore white tights and white shoes. No veil or gloves or prayer book. They're actually not allowed to wear gloves or carry anything at all.

DS will make his communion this year and suits are not allowed. So many of you are mentioning suits for your boys but ours are not allowed to wear a jacket. Possibly because we live in FL? The dress code is: Navy slacks, navy or white tie, short sleeve white shirt and dark shoes. It was pretty easy to locate and relatively inexpensive to outfit him.

 

[Roemama1]

I got my DD's dress last year (after 1st Communion season) at JCPenney on clearance. Beautiful dress and it was only $12.00!!!!! So I guess my advise for parents of daughter's making their 1st communion next year....check the stores after this season. They have some beautiful dresses still and can't beat the price!!!!

 

[jfulcer]

I'm sure DW is going to have me make one when the time comes. Don't know if I want to be happy or sad at that.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I'm pretty sure I paid $30-$50 for my dd's First Holy Communion Dress @ JC Penney's. It was a simple white dress w/a ribbon sash, and she liked it, so I was happy. She also wore it as flower girl at her aunt's wedding - they just accessorized it a bit, and again, she looked so cute in it.

I can't see paying so much money for just a few hours, but that's just me.

 

[mamajoan]

Geez louise.. I grew up in the midwest.. had the typical white fru fru dress and veil for First Communion.. a LLLLONG Time ago. oh ya.. my mom gave me a really bad Lilt home perm too.. LOVELY photos!! LOL.. pudgey curly red haired girl...

Here in Ca... DD made first communion 3 years ago. The church told us to have the kids wear something nice but not to go all out on suits/or mini wedding dresses ... I felt this would work out very well.. as the day was about First Communion rather than who wore what......

Cam was a in 5th grade.. she did not want the 'fru fru dress and opted for a nice spring dress... very simple. Worked out great.
Our parish is made up of many Mexican families who hold tight to the traditions. They weren't the only families doing the big white dress thing either... So there were MANY girls with the white dress, the long veil, the candles, the rosary and the bible and the purse.. whew!!! I asked Cam if she felt kind of left out as she was only one of two girls choosing to wear a simple outfit. She said " No way mom"

So I guess my answer is no I would not spend a load of money on a communion outfit.. I will say the dresses and girls look lovely when presented. .... but it is just not my cup of tea.

 

[wilderness01]

We live in the Midwest and we HAVE to wear the white dress, veil, white hose, white shoes, prayer book, rosary, etc. for the girls. For the boys they have to wear a dark suit, white shirt, white tie, dark shoes, etc. We have NO choice. Do you have any idea how HARD it is to find a plain white tie? I would have rather had my son wear light color pants, a navy shirt and nice tie. But it wasn't allowed period. At least we have more than 1 son to hopefully wear that suit. He did look great that day. It was special for all of us watching our first little guy take this step. I guess our church is more into tradition or constant with their "rules that can't be broken". This is the way it always has been and I don't see it changing anytime real soon. Although we have a new pastor they are really going backwards with some of their rules. At reconciliation one of my friends said "bless me father for I have sinned it has been 2 months since my last confession". Well the associate new pastor admonished him for it being soooooooooo long between confessions! Like I said, staunch in their rules for everything!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by wilderness01
Do you have any idea how HARD it is to find a plain white tie?

Yes! I feel your pain. DS must wear navy slacks, dark shoes, white short sleeve shirt and a choice of white or navy tie(no bow ties). Well, the priest even said "good luck finding a white tie!" which is why they gave us the choice of a navy tie. I would have gone with white but couldn't find one so I went for navy. Our boys are not allowed suits/jackets of any kind.