My dress has received plenty of compliments from family, friends, wedding guests, and blog friends. But I have a secret. Add a little lace and rouching, and everyone thinks the dress costs more than it actually does.
Way back when I thought about dresses (actually Jan 2009) I knew that the budget was not big and I didn't want it to be. Dreams of Monique Lhuillier and Vera Wang danced in my head, but the reality was sample sales, David's Bridal, or similar bridal gown super stores. Then I discovered Alfred Angelo. Similar to David's Bridal, it had locations throughout CA and carried dresses ranging in styles, tastes, and price (hooray for budget friendly pieces).
After scouring the site and printing dress styles that I liked (all under $999), my mother and I went on MLK Jr weekend. Lucky for us, prices were discounted for the holiday weekend (hello extra savings). Our bridal consultant was very helpful, and I made it clear that we did not want to and could not go over a dress costing $800. She completely understood and helped us out with dresses. And I came out with a dress costing slightly over $600. Everyone is always shocked when I tell them the actual cost. I think the lace and detailing throws everyone off ;)
Built in structure for the top, flattering cut, pretty neckline, rouching, lace details, almost a-line skirt, layers of fabric. Everything that I was looking for in a dress, also helped that the details can trick the eye, giving me a flattering fit. And the lace helped in giving the dress substance and depth.
I loved my dress when my mom bought it. I still love my dress today. But I never wanted it to rule my wedding. I wanted to be able to walk on grass, sand, and dirt, to let it drag and not care. I wanted to enjoy myself and not notice if beads or sequins had fallen off. I wanted to be okay if something was spilled on it (and something was). I wanted to have fun with it. And I think the low price and a casual outlook let me just have fun with it.
So now it hangs beautifully in my room, but still dirty (anyone have good cleaning/preserving company recs?). And I am happy.
Below are photos of other brides who have worn my same dress style :) Yes, I did study their wedding photos to make sure it was the same ;)
I am really happy that the style looks great on different brides :)
Blog title is from lyrics by No Doubt
7 comments:
Beautiful dress! And it does look great on different brides. What a great deal you got!
What a steal! You looked gorgeous.
i absolutely love your dress. you looked perfect in it. and what a great deal!!! oh and my dress & Js dress are hanging from our closet doors 4 1/2 months after the wedding. it kills me to think of spending like $600 per dress to preserve it. that's the quotes i've been getting in nyc. what to do, what to do??? good luck finding a good place!
Great review, and what a fantastic price! You looked amazing. This is sure to be useful to brides out there still looking for the one.
Your dress is so gorgeous! I love it...I am most likely going to sell my dress after the big day. Not big on the sentimental part of it and can't see my daughter wanting it to wear it years from now...though I did ask her and she's fine with me getting rid of it. :)
Really pretty dress, and it definitely suits you. For cleaning, try a good local dry cleaner. Especially if they have their own equipment on site, that's the best. They probably won't overcharge you like those preservation places do, and you can always but an acid-free box and tissue yourself. Mostly you just need it to be cleaned, right?
So beautiful! I have been thinking of adding lace to my dress as well, maybe to the skirt of it. Thanks for the inspiration!
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