I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Original post by wenndypoo

Apr 26, 2003 11:32 PM

After what felt like forever searching (the loongest month of my life!) I found my dress! It is absolutley stunning, I just love it!

So here's my question: Were any of you ladies able to negotiate on the price of your dress?

And here's my dilema: I found the dress on netbride.com for about $800 less than the salon! The people at the salon were terrific, I felt they really went out of their way for me, and I know it sounds stupid, but I think I'd actually feel guilty if I didn't order from them! (Dumb, I know!) But after $2,600 for the dress, $250 for the tiara, $140 for the veil, sheesh, I am broke!!!
I've been very happy with the salon service so far, and I'd like to stay with them, but a girl has to save money somehow, right?

So should I try to negotiate with the salon? Get over my guiilt and buy online? Dish out lots of money for 'salon service'?

Thanks for your help!

(Sorry this is long and rambling, dress shopping just wore me out - I'm pooped!)

endlessluv429 Posted: Apr 27, 2003 11:56 AM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

hey!! Congrats on your dress! I had the same problem because I found my dress for half the price on netbride.com sooooo I didn't know what to do so I decided to just present it to the salon and see what they could do--after all, all they could say was no, right? So we (my mom and I) told the amazing ladies @ the salon (I felt bad too because they were sooooooo nice to me) and they wound up matching the price BUT they wouldn't have anything to do with storing the dress or alterations. When it comes in, I pick it up and store it and get the alterations done myself. We didn't want to mess around with my wedding dress but luckily we know a seamtress (sp?!) who works in a bridal salon but does alterations on the side--so I made out like a bandit! LOL So I know exactly how you are feeling, but just present the information you found to them! GOOD LUCK!

112903 Posted: Apr 27, 2003 12:41 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

I would try and work with the salon.. They at least hold your dress till closer to the big day if you order it from Netbride you have to take care of it... I wouldn't want that responsibilty with my gown.

soon2bmrs2004 Posted: Apr 27, 2003 12:54 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

try to negotiate and if that doesn't work go online to get it.

cutsabutton Posted: Apr 27, 2003 01:29 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Wendy, sent you FM

babybride Posted: Apr 27, 2003 05:09 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

I would first try and negotiate with the salon. My friend found her dress for a lot cheaper at RK Bridal, but really wanted to buy it closer to home. And she was able to get them to match the price. Try calling other stores too. It is easier in my opinion for them to match another store than the internet. Cause they throw you the line its the internet they have no expenses, blah, blah, blah. Good Luck!! And congrats on finding the dress!

julybride444 Posted: Apr 27, 2003 06:53 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Good luck:)

wenndypoo Posted: Apr 27, 2003 11:54 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Thanks everyone, you brought up a lot of good points to consider. I don't mind paying a little extra for peace of mind, but it's such a big difference. Like Jenn said, I keep thinking of the extra flowers I could get, or video or something with the money I could save. But then again, who wants to take a chance with their dress, right?

With all your encouragment and well wishes, I'm just going to call them and lay it on the line! Like Alison said, the worst they can say is no! If they do, I'll seriously consider Netbride.

Thanks again to each of you, you were all so helpful!

weddingbelle Posted: Apr 28, 2003 12:10 AM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

I agree with trying to negotiate the price with the bridal salon. I'm not too sure that I would want to order my Bridal Gown from an online source. What would you do if there was a problem? Just something to consider.

Stavia Posted: Apr 28, 2003 10:42 AM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Just wanted to say that I ordered my dress through NetBride & it is wonderful! I have to have some alterations done, but their are tons of seamstresses on LI who are capable. Even though I enjoyed the salon experience, the money I saved was so worth it!!!

Eli Posted: Apr 28, 2003 12:00 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Wendy,
Please let me know what you decide to do!! i just found the dress i love on netbride for 700 less and am seriously considering it! but i am unsure too... i did notice that Stavia used netbride and seemed very happy with it! Thank you!!

Marcela1654 Posted: Apr 28, 2003 01:29 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Any news yet?

maysie18 Posted: Apr 28, 2003 01:38 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Glad you're gonna try to negotiate w/the salon. I know other brides who ordered their dress on Netbride & Pearl's Place & had no problems & they were real, designer gowns.

I went looking for a seamstress in Manhattan's Bridal Building & when I told her I'm ordering online & just looking for a seamstress, she matched the price (after I bought in the email as proof) & ordered for us (BM dresses too!), saving us S&H. She will store & alter the gowns (alterations are additinal of course). But that was a real blessing cuz I saved $300-$400 on my gown compared to RK's price for it. My BP saved $100+ on all of their gowns doing it this way!

GOOD LUCK!

kelly6273 Posted: Apr 28, 2003 01:50 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Don't be silly...go with NetBride!!! Good service isn't worth that much money.

wenndypoo Posted: Apr 28, 2003 05:16 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

I called the salon, but my consultant is off today! AACCKK!! My nerves!
Eli, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, try a search here. I know alot of brides have used netbride, and had lots of positive reviews.

and to all!

Eli Posted: Apr 28, 2003 09:45 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Thank you!!

endlessluv429 Posted: Apr 28, 2003 09:53 PM

Re: I found my dress!! But I need your help please!

Wendy,

Glad you are going to press the issue with them. They want your business & you can find somewhere to store your dress-I'd actually rather have it in my 'control' then in some store where many more dangerous things can happen!! I know the anxieties that people have about ordering online-i do too--but i'm sorry the difference in money is really significant. we're not talking 1, 2 or even 3 hundred-you're talking several hundred dollars---bridal salons are going to have to learn to deal with this issue--brides are catching onto to this netbride/rkbridal stuff--GOOD LUCK! please let us know how you make out!