Need a bridal gown for my niece...WHERE?

[Shugardrawers]

We've looked at David's and not found anything quite right so I need more suggestions. I told my niece I'd buy her gown. Here's the important info:

She's 21, 5'6" and wears a size 14ish. She had a baby in August (the MOST adorable little guy EVER but I digress) and still has weight to lose. She's pretty busty.

The wedding is in March, she seems to like cap sleeves and flowing empire styles and wants a train. I told her the budget was $500 but I can flex on that. I think I can find a lovely gown in her style for less than that. She's only wearing it for one day and prefers to have the balance in cash so price is VERY IMPORTANT TO HER.

So....aside from David's Bridal and eBay, where do we look?

 

[MichelleinMaine]

It's hit or miss, but our Goodwill often has beautiful gowns. There were 5 or 6 new with tags even when I was there the other day. You can check Craigslist too.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Try calling resale shops.

Several years ago we got my dear god daughter her dress at a nice resale shop for $300 - and it was around a $1700 dress.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I would definitely look and see if there are any bridal consignment shops near you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We had local stores that we can shop. Is there anything local that isn't a chain that she can go to?

Check the yellow pages!

Most places will have gowns in all budgets. Unless of course it is Kleinfeld's (say yes to the dress).

My SIL shopped around and then we did the running of the brides in March at Filene's Basement in Atlanta. Perhaps there is one in close vicinity (though i dont' know their status as I think the corporation declared bankrutpcy).

It was a tiring day, but she found a dress for less than $300 whose retail was 3x that at least.

You do not necessarily have to do the whole "running thing". If you go in at 10, most of the place has cleared out and dresses are being returned to the racks. You may have to go to the extra expense of having a dressed cleaned after what some brides and their crew did to them (we saw gowns with skid marks from being stomped on-some people can be soooo rude!). We were done between 10 and 11am and the place was a virtual ghost town still filled with wedding dresses. So you can avoid all the nonsense and practically have the whole store to yourself. It takes a while though to go through all the gowns as they wil not be arranged by size or style.

(link to dates and locations, none in Virginia, but maybe some of the cities are possible. Not many before March, though. http://www.filenesbasement.com/bridal.php)
2nd hand is also a possibility.

 

[taylor3297]

If you lived closer I would loan you mine. It has an empire waist with cap sleeves and a short train. It cost me $500 when I bought it in 2000. I am trying to remember the brand name, because it was a line of wedding dresses that were simple, but elegant and reasonably priced.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Private Bridal Salons are more affordable than you think, and many carry plus sizes these days. I got married 6yrs ago and was a size 24. I had absolutely NO problem at all finding gowns in the Salon my mom took me to. We went to David's as well and I didn't find anything there that i really liked. When were done at the Salon I actually spent LESS on the gown we bought than the ones I tried on at David's . And FTR I only actually know 1 bride who was happy with her experience at David's.

I say call around to local Salons and see what they have.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Keep in mind that if you go to a local place and find one you like in your price range, they can probably order it for you in the size you need. But keep in mind that you will need to figure in alterations in the cost.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Also, you will find better prices in small podunk towns than you will in the "big city"! So try to go off the beaten path to shop.

 

[taylor3297]

I just remembered the name of the designer that has reasonable, simple and elegant gowns, Alfred Angelo! When I was shopping for wedding dresses I also tried David's and didn't find anything I liked. I went to private salon and found exactly what I wanted.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I didn't mention, my niece lives in bumfrigegypt KS whereas I live for the moment in Biloxi, MS but permanently in Newport News, VA. There's another problem. We're trying to find stores with online samples. I'll be in KC, KS over christmas visiting other family and we'll go then to try on gowns and so we need a good idea where to go and what we're looking for in THAT area. Sorry. I know that's confusing. Anyone who carries a designer with a line we can see online will be very helpful since every minute will count.

Alfred Angelo is WONDERFUL! I'd forgotten about them. I actually got my $800 gown in 2001 for only $99!!!!! I will definitely send her there to look over their closeouts and lower priced gowns.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[slimplaw]

Look online at Jessica McClintock. They also have a few stores across the country. I've gone there with a friend and her daughter when she needs a special dress and they do carry wedding dresses. It seems that most were under $500.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Look online at Jessica McClintock. They also have a few stores across the country. I've gone there with a friend and her daughter when she needs a special dress and they do carry wedding dresses. It seems that most were under $500.

OH YEAH! Another GREAT recommendation I should have known. Thanks!

 

[autumnsmommy]

My sister got a nice dress at the dry cleaners.

 

[babytrees]

How about a seamstress??

My mom made my dress and my sisters and they were very inexpensive (mine she made for less than $200 and another bride had almost the exact same dress later on in the year......for $2000 we won't go into the fact the whole wedding was nearly identical to mine for more than 10x the cost and the bride was nearly arrested at her reception).

My friend has a flat fee and is really reasonable....in podunk, KS you will probably have a more reasonably priced seamstress.

 

[Shugardrawers]

How about a seamstress??

My mom made my dress and my sisters and they were very inexpensive (mine she made for less than $200 and another bride had almost the exact same dress later on in the year......for $2000 we won't go into the fact the whole wedding was nearly identical to mine for more than 10x the cost and the bride was nearly arrested at her reception).

My friend has a flat fee and is really reasonable....in podunk, KS you will probably have a more reasonably priced seamstress.

Excellent idea but we have to find a gown we LOVE 1st which has been the problem. I agree, custom made is going to be cheapest but we need to find styles to suit her 1st. Styles that wont cost more than $500 to have a seamstress to make

 

[babytrees]

Excellent idea but we have to find a gown we LOVE 1st which has been the problem. I agree, custom made is going to be cheapest but we need to find styles to suit her 1st. Styles that wont cost more than $500 to have a seamstress to make

if she is as good as my mom she will be able to take the basic outline that you want and make the alterations the bride wants to it. Black Friday at JoAnne's is great for very reasonable priced patterns. I think you can look at Simplicity's patterns and others online.

Good luck at finding that perfect dress!

 

[Shugardrawers]

My sister got a nice dress at the dry cleaners.

You know what? That is an AMAZING idea!!!! I see them all the time but haven't really thought of them before now! Thanks!!!!

 

[shortbun]

We have several consignment shops here and you can get really expensive gowns for $200 and less. I went in one shop with a friend and they had over 100 wedding gowns. Could she alter and wear yours?

 

[bumbershoot]

Biggest thing to keep in mind is to dump the street-clothing size. Go by measurements ONLY. A 14 in street clothes is a 16, sometimes an 18 in wedding gowns, b/c gowns go with pattern sizing, and have never changed the size/measurement "ratio".


Since she's still losing weight, it's going to be hard as well. I would recommend getting what fits at the time you buy it, but make sure you have a GREAT seamstress on call for when she says "enough" to losing.


Oh I gotta do something with my gown...it's just sitting there...if only it were cap sleeves etc!