I can't find a dress :(

Original post by antoinetteandanthony

Oct 30, 2008 08:27 PM

I really need some help. I am getting married August 21 2009, and have been searching for a dress for the past 2 1/2 months. I probably should've started earlier but I didn't realize how hard this was going to be. I have been to about 8 places so far (David's Bridal, Burton's Bridal, Paradise Bridal, Macy's in the Smithhaven Mall, Bridal Suite of Centereach, Fantasia, the Wedding Center, and tonight, Helen's Bridal) that I can remember and I can't seem to find exactly what I want. I want a strapless dress, with a lot of sparkly beading, a zipper back, and pick ups.. preferibly satin. I didn't think this would be so hard to find. I found one that I really liked a Paradise Bridal, but I have heard TONS of bad things about their alterations, and theres these wrinkes on the sides of the bodice that I am afraid will not be able to altered correctly to get rid of them... plus the model in the picture in the website has the same wrinkles (its an allure dress 8365). I am literally freaking out. Like no where has dresses with zipper backs, or with pickups. I don't know what to do anymore, or where to go. If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it, because I am getting to the point that ever time I leave a place without a dress I burst out into tears. Please help me :(

MrsBtobe2009 Posted: Oct 30, 2008 10:20 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

I would try Babylon Village and Bridal. It is in Babylon, they are so nice, and have a geat selection of dresses. If you like the one in Paradise, I would go to Village and see if they can order it. that is what I did cause I wanted to try on the actual dress before ordering it. I found it at paradise, tried it on, and then ordered it in Babylon.

antoinetteandanthony Posted: Oct 30, 2008 10:23 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

hmm not exactly... looking for something with lots of bead work.. thanks though!

antoinetteandanthony Posted: Oct 30, 2008 10:24 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

i saw a nice maggie sottero dress but i was told it could not be ordered with a zipper instead of a corset... her style is exactly what i want too :(

chicky724 Posted: Oct 30, 2008 10:36 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Like this?

This is a Private Label one, most of them have zipper backs too.

WinterBride10 Posted: Oct 30, 2008 11:44 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Posted by bkbaby4life

i dont know if this is close?

Who makes this dress? This is GORGEOUS!!!!

antoinetteandanthony Posted: Oct 31, 2008 07:06 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

yes, like that i feel like i was shown that yesterday at helens .. its nice i dont know if its exactly right, i probably shouldve tried it on but i was already getting too upset that there was only 1 dress that was kinda like i wanted. thanks for the post!

jonsgirl04 Posted: Oct 31, 2008 07:56 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

I wore an allure dress. Mine wasnt strapless. But Allure makes gorgeous dresses. I know this is going to sound funny, but If you try everywhere and can not find your dress, I def reccomend Bridal Town Usa in Colegeville Pennsylvania. I workd with Sandy!! SHe is awesome! It was Totally worth the trip!! Got to their website. www.bridaltown.com and request a free catalogue.

jtgarsik Posted: Oct 31, 2008 07:58 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

i would talk to the more reputable places (fantasia ROCKS in my opinion!)..if they carry the line of the designer, they should be able to order it for you..(did this with my bm dresses)

if they can't, or ur not 100% crazy about it, i would reccommend taking a little break from dress hunting. i know u cant wait forever..but maybe wait a month & then start again...i wish u the best! i will also say..try to be open-minded! sometimes we go with something in our head and it drives us crazy because we can't find that EXACT picture..when really it's just something we've thought up! I can honestly say my dress ended up being something i would've NEVER tried on off the rack...the staff at fantasia actually pulled it for me & my mom did the whole 'just try it on!' and it was it! this actually happened with a couple dresses i liked...so try not to be completely opposed to other styles - u may be suprised what u find!

ps: what about going to a dress designer?? then u can get exactly what u're envisioning

Soon2BMrsC09 Posted: Oct 31, 2008 08:02 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

I was in the same dilemma.. I wanted the pick ups and honestly - I just gave in to my mom and her friend when we went dress shopping and tried on a strapless a line gown with tons of beadwork.. and if you could believe it.. i just fell in love with the dress.. did you try on any other dresses other than pick ups? sometimes we have an idea in our head and we base it off of what the model looks like.. and unfortunately sometimes it just doesnt look the same on us and thats why we get disappointed... good luck

PeterNina Mom Posted: Oct 31, 2008 10:08 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Girls can I recommend you driving to Brooklyn? There are so many places here that you can go to. Here are a few from the top of my head:

Lestans on Ralph Avenue (go to Lestans website for the whole correct address) It is a very big store with two floors.

Doris fashions on 18th Avenue & 68th St. ask for Maria to be your sales girl and then Josephine for alterations.

Valentina's on New Utrecht Ave and 76th/77th Streets

Kelly's Kreations on 18th Ave & 72nd Street

Don't forget Kleinfelds in Manhattan ask for Rosaria to be your salesgirl and another Josephine for alteratios.

Plus there are a number of shops on Avenue U that have wedding gowns too, but I don't their names.

I have dealt personally with Valentina's, Doris and Kleinfeld and highly recommend all three.

Good luck,
Liz

jsha20 Posted: Oct 31, 2008 11:14 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

I felt the same way when I was looking. I went to like a million stores and felt that none were right. Then it happened. I found something I felt great in, the price was in my budget--it all came together. It will for you, too!

Also, try Designer Loft in the city. They have some good finds that other bridal boutiques do not have.

Brila09 Posted: Oct 31, 2008 11:25 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Burtons in Huntington I've heard can get any dress you want but at a discounted price. It wouldnt hurt to try them.

JennyAPH Posted: Oct 31, 2008 11:36 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

I got my dress at Paradise Bridal and although I heard some bad things about their alterations I also have heard some really great things from girls that went there... also I know someone who was a seamstress there for 30 years and assured me I was in good hands.. If you really like the dress there but you are still scard to get it altered there you can always get it altered somewhere else.

Don't get frustrated.. you will find it and when you do you will be happy that you looked around until you got the perfect one.

Also maybe go to Kleinfields in the city?

Snick n Nick Posted: Oct 31, 2008 11:40 AM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Posted by Eweluska17

See if you can find a dress with a lace up back and make a zipper from it . (ex Victoriana from Maggie Sottero.) ,that dress is very nice. TryVillage Bridal in babylon I know they have a good selection of dresses.
Good luck

I was going to say this also--although I loved my Maggie with the corset, I'm pretty sure they told me at Fantasia that the Maggie dresses could be ordered with a zipper back as well.....maybe that's they way to go (although the corset is AMAZING b/c you don't have to worry about gaining or losing a pound or two at the end...still fits! )

Good luck!

antoinetteandanthony Posted: Oct 31, 2008 04:22 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

thank you everyone for all the posts. someone at fantasia i think told me that the maggie dresses can be made with a zipper, but at helens they told me that they cannot. i think on sunday i am going to try rk bridal and i have an appt for nov 16 at kleinfelds. i appreciate everyones comments!

bkbaby4life Posted: Oct 31, 2008 04:41 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Posted by brideinstride

Posted by bkbaby4life

i dont know if this is close?

Who makes this dress? This is GORGEOUS!!!!

its by jim hjelm. the spring 2007 collection. i love all his dresses.

lucamon Posted: Oct 31, 2008 05:07 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

What about something like this with pickups in the back?

lucamon Posted: Oct 31, 2008 05:22 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

lucamon Posted: Oct 31, 2008 05:29 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

lucamon Posted: Oct 31, 2008 05:36 PM

Re: I can't find a dress :(

Posted by antoinetteandanthony

That's the problem, I found dresses online but no stores seem to carry them. I went to Helen's today, she only had 1 dress with a zipper back and pickups. but the lady was very nice and tried to help.

If you see a dress that you like, contact the manufacturer to find out what stores near you carries them or if they will have a trunk show in your area soon.