Finding BM Dresses for Less

My BMs have all picked out their dresses (all different styles from Jim Hjelm, in the same material and color). I'm looking to get them the best price without compromising the quality. They've all been measured for the dresses so i have the sizes that the place would order.

Is it safe to buy online? Are there places you recommend for good prices on designer dresses? I've heard RK Bridal and Bridal Elegance are good for this.

Any help and experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

I know RK bridal has a great no frills program. I haven't done it, maybe check reviews on Yelp.

Finding BM Dresses for Less

what does 'no frills' mean?

Finding BM Dresses for Less

I recommend dresses by Bill Levkoff. They're super reasonable, I think they sell them at Bridal Elegance in Massapequa.

Finding BM Dresses for Less

From what Ive heard the 'no frills' thing is pretty much buying off the rack and alterations are up to you..

Finding BM Dresses for Less

We've already picked the dresses... i'm just trying to get the best deal on them...they're Jim Hjelm.

Finding BM Dresses for Less

My BMs bought from bridal elegance. My friend's aunt & mother work there. They are great! i didnt buy my dress there only because i got roped into one at paradise. i wish i had!

*ETA we had only 1 out of towner, she had no problem!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

I think the RK 'no frills' program would be good for you. You buy the dress you want and get it altered wherever you want. You have to know your own size so since the girls are already measured you'd be fine. The No Frills part is that you don't go there, try on a number of dresses (no one helping you), you don't get measured there, and they don't do the alterations. You pretty much do it all yourself to save money, which it sounds like you did.

My bridesmaids got their dresses at BE and it was the least expensive, good quality, great service of anywhere I went (which was a ton of places.)

Re: Finding BM Dresses for Less

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Posted by BrideToB

I think the RK 'no frills' program would be good for you. You buy the dress you want and get it altered wherever you want. You have to know your own size so since the girls are already measured you'd be fine. The No Frills part is that you don't go there, try on a number of dresses (no one helping you), you don't get measured there, and they don't do the alterations. You pretty much do it all yourself to save money, which it sounds like you did.

My bridesmaids got their dresses at BE and it was the least expensive, good quality, great service of anywhere I went (which was a ton of places.)

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Thanks so much, that was really helpful.

They are all going to have it altered at diff places so the rk thing makes sense, but is it samples that they buy or do they order new ones for you with the program?

Thanks again!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

Check it Bridal Reflections in massapequa. I'm almost certain that they are having a Jim Hjelm evening wear trunk show soon!! Check them out to see if they have the styles!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

The 'No Frills' program - they are not sample gowns off the rack, the dresses are all new and if you order them at the same time, they will do a group order so that you get the same dye lot. Then they ship the dresses individually to each BM - FYI: the shipping charge is $20 per dress, AND anyone in NY is charged tax, but those outside of NY are not charged tax. This worked well for the majority of my bridal party and I would recommend going into RK bridal to place the order. They have particular forms that you fill out for each designer. You can provide one credit card per dress or lump them together and use one credit card. Your name as the bride also goes on the order and you can be the point of contact. They will send you e-mail notifications when the dresses ship. They will also provide you with an ETA as to when the dresses will arrive. We ordered our's the last week of January and the dresses are expected in early/mid-April.

This seemed to be the best option for my BMs and then they will take care of alterations on their own. I have not heard the best reviews about RK's alterations department, BUT I have not used them.

Good luck - you will feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment when you complete this CHECK!!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

thanks everyone.

I called both Bridal Elegance and RK... they gave me the exact same price quotes! In my case, all of my girls are on Long Island and I would be able to pick up the dresses at Bridal Elegance so i could save them money on the shipping. :) So glad i can find the dresses they love for a better price... no wonder Bridal Elegance has such good reviews when it comes to prices!

Finding BM Dresses for Less

I am using bridesmaids.com. They are the online shop for Here Comes the Bridesmaid, which is a shop in Manhattan. I have been really happy with them so far. They do carry Jim Helm, you just have to ask them for a quote. Its worth a try!

Re: Finding BM Dresses for Less

I second bridesmaids.com, or their store Here Comes the Bridesmaids.

Basically if you know the sizes, you can just call them for a quote, email your sizes (they want them in writing so there are no errors) and you can save on shipping by picking them up in the city. We got my Jim Hjelm dresses there, and I picked them up a few weeks ago! Much cheaper than anywhere else, no issues, and it's the 2nd time we've used them.

Finding BM Dresses for Less

my sister bought her watters & watters bridesmaids dresses from netbride.com at a fraction of what they were asking at kleinfeld bridesmaids. they arrived quickly and were in perfect condition.

Finding BM Dresses for Less

FYI, if you find the dresses cheaper online, RK will beat the price by 20 percent.

Re: Finding BM Dresses for Less

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Posted by KroertGS

FYI, if you find the dresses cheaper online, RK will beat the price by 20 percent.

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Also - shipping is FREE if the order is over $300.00. I just had all the dresses shipped to my place and gave them to girls myself. I know bridal elegance worked out best for you, but just wanted to post the FYI for other brides. :)

Re: Finding BM Dresses for Less

The only thing about RK Bridal's 'no frills' program is that you will pay shipping and can't go to the store to pick them up. Since your girls are all getting different dresses, they will be one per order form and subject to shipping (I think $30). So you have to make sure that it's THAT much cheaper.

I was going to order from there. If my girls all had the same dress, it would have been cheaper. But, since they are all ordering different (same designer, color, fabric, length, different dresses) it didn't work out cheaper.

Here's the link to the program info.
No Frills Info