dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Hi everyone,

I just started calling around to make appointments to try on dresses. And after looking through several magazines and ripping out the dresses I liked, I found that most of the designer lines could be found at Paradise Bridal in Patchogue and Bridal Reflections in Massapequa.

Well Paradise Bridal was very polite and booked me right away. I know that they have dresses for under 1K b/c a couple of my friend's bought their dresses there.

However, when I called Bridal Reflections, the woman was very curt (she kept calling me honey! ) and more or less told me that she only has SIX gowns in that price range for me to try on. She then went on to say 'Well why don't you think about it and if these don't fit within your range, you should cancel the appt.' Yikes! Not only did i think she was rude, but she insulted me as well!

Has anyone been to either place? Have you tried on dresses for under 1K - and were they nice?

And does anyone have any other recommendations for shops that are PLEASANT and eager to please - and treat all brides equally?

I really appreciate this. My mother is a nurse and only has every other Saturday free, and I am a March bride, so I am cutting it close!

thanks a million!
willow

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

If you want another place to look at, I got my dress at Bonaventure in Garden City and they had plenty of dresses under $1000. I told them I did not want to spend more than that and they didn't even try to bring me $1200 dresses. I hate when you tell a place how much you want to spend on something and they disregard what you say in favor of trying to get you to spend more. I can't say enough good things about Bonaventure, their service & staff were great. Everyone I dealt with there was very very nice and always helpful. Believe me, there are plenty of gorgeous dresses in your price range, don't let anyone strong arm you higher.
Best wishes!

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I spent under $1K for my gown - you should try Elegant Bride in Albertson. They don't have a HUGE selection, but I fell in love with about 4 gowns from there! Many were between the $700-950 range....

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I looked at the Bridal Suite in Centereach. They had many dresses under $1000 and were very pleasant.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I also had a horrible experience at Bridal Reflections (the one in Carle Place) I bought my dress at Lynbrook Bridal. It is an Alfred Angelo and I got the dress, alterations, bussel, and my veil for under $1,000. I wasn't looking in a certain price range but every dress I tried on (which I picked without looking at prices) was under $1,000.

The lady I worked with, Antoinette was very nice and helpful. I went on a monday night and it was empty and made for a peaceful experience. I hear Tuesdays and Saturdays are a little nutty because that is when they do fittings but I am sure they will be helpful. Let me know if you have any questions

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

RK Bridal is great on the city...plus will beat any price. I tried on dress ranging from $550-1400. And thought they were all equally beautiful.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I went to both Bonaventure and Elegant Bride. They were both pretty nice thought I think the person I had belp me at Bonaventure was a bit more knowledgeable than the one at Elegant Bride. But I think in general, there seemed to be more under $1000 at Elegant Bride - at least of the ones I choose to try on. But they both definately had some. I am right now considering buying online - I had found one dress at RK Bridal in the city for $900 but at Brialmarketplace.com they said they could sell it to me for under $700. Of course doing this, you'd have to find a seamstress but since you have to pay for alterations one way or the other, saving the money on the dress itself seems like not such a bad idea. BTW, has anyone else done this - good or bad experiences? Thanks.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Honestly, I think Bridal Reflections is doing you a service by telling you they have very few gowns in your price range. Any reputable shop would do the same. They are saving you a trip into a store that you can't afford. Would you have rather found out that they dont have any gowns under $1K after you got there?

Ill also recommend RK Bridal. Nearly all of their gowns are under $1K.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Angel Bridals is the place to go. They are the best! I can't say enough good things about them.
They were so nice to me, they treated me better than family! If you bring your pictures with you I bet they can suggest something for you ( I'm pretty sure they make their own dresses too maybe they can make something for you).
My dress wasn't custom made but I paid UNDER $400!!!
I sent a friend of a friend to them and the dress she wanted was over $1,000 in other stores and they had a 'copy' made by them for $600 or $700 I can't remember.
They will be the best experience you have planning your wedding!!
Worth the trip from anywhere!

Angel Bridals
Main street
East Islip
www.angelbridals.com

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I forgot to tell you, my dress arrived in 2 1/2 weeks ! I think that it is unusual for it to come to quickly but I still think you have enough time.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Debbus, how was their selection? Thanks for the suggestion!

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the awesome suggestions. BTW, do you have the numbers and addresses for the above suggestions?

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I highly recommend Bridal Suite in Centereach, ask for Debbie. Also Macy's in Smithhaven Mall has a nice selection around $1K. Estelles on Rt. 110 has a bridal selection now. And there is always David's Bridal. Most Alfred Angelo and Mori Lee gowns are in that price range. Just be very careful and do not try on a gown over your price range. That is the worst, to love a gown and not be able to afford it. Actually that goes for all vendor services.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Try Jessica McClintock-- all of her wedding dresses are under 500.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

Yes, I thought they had a good selection. Click on the link I attached for address and phone #.
I will be there in the next week or two for my first fitting!! Maybe I'll see you there!

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I think RK is a great place to start...you can browse on your own and look at prices without anyone hovering over you. You will sacrifice a bit of that one-on-one service, though (which was fine with me).

I had a good experience at Macy's in Manhasset-but a number of girls were unhappy with the service they received there. Most of their dresses are Demetrios, many under $ 1K.

There's a small bridal shop on Austin Street in Forest Hills-near the Barnes and Noble. The owner, Greta, is a sweetheart and anxious to help anyone with any budget. She had a lot of Mori Lee dresses there, most under $ 1K.

Keep in mind that the price of the dress you finally decide on is not the bottom line! There were posts last week about haggling price down and shopping around.

I didn't have a dead set budget when I started shopping. It was more important to me to find a dress that I felt beautiful in. I was very, very pleasantly surprised to see that gorgeous dresses are out there for all budgets.

Hope this helps!!

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

I tryed on so many beautiful dresses under $1000, my friends couldnt believe it. There are lots, so dont worry.

I am also a March bride and havent brought my dress yet but I am not worried, I have it narrowed down and will decide before Sept.

Some places I suggest are

Lillettes Bridals (516) 546-5660 - Gerri was my saleswoman and she is great, you cant imagine how many dresses she will have you try on for under $1000 (they are closed on Wed, but open late until 9 on Tues and Thurs)
861 Merrick Rd
Baldwin, NY 11510

RK Bridal
www.rkbridal.com
318 W 39th St
New York, Ny 10018
(212) 947-1155
(if you go here, I think its the parking lot across the street they validate your parking at the store) - call and check at the salon, we found this out after the fact.

Bridal Suite of BayShore
This place I is far for me but they were very nice, and actually have my 1st choice( in right size) (was in the neighborhood and just came across it)
4 East Main St
Bay Shore, NY 11706
(631) 666-0700

Good Luck
Kimberly

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

i got my dress at bridal reflections and its true they do have a limited selection of dresses under 1000, but they are very nice dresses. The one i ended up getting was 1150. i tried some on for $895, they were all very nice, but a small selection.

Re: dress shopping - gowns under 1K?

don't know if you' go but i saw gown, tons of them, for well under 1k in David's Bridal

ss2002

ss202 - I was wondering if you knew the name of the bridal store on Austin street or the phone number, I am looking for a mori lee dress, I think i am gong to get and wanted to find it someone closer, I originally found it in Bayshore

thanks
kimberly