Ok, I have looked at every dress online possible...

... and I cannot find anything I am interested in (that I can afford). Like, at all - not even close. I have been through all the usual suspects and some unusual ones and nada, zip, zero, bupkiss. Magazine, catalogs, websites, etc.

Is that normal? What am I missing? Do I need to stop whining because this happens to everyone? Or should I be alarmed?

These are all rhetorical questions obviously, and I am really whiny today - my apologies. I think my main problem is that I need a haircut and I feel guilty about spending the money, but really... it looks tore up. Everyone gets to have their venting/whiny posts, right? Here's mine.

the end.

Honestly, you need to just go to a shop and let the ladies show you some styles and actually try them on. You'll never find the one just looking online, trust me. I tried that and I thought I found the one. But when I got there, based on the styles I printed out and showed the saleslady, she picked out some great ones. The second one I tried on was the one. Good luck and enjoy it. Trying on dresses is so much fun.

Don't worry about affording the dress so much as finding something you like. As the girls here will tell you, Burton's bridal can order a multitude of dresses, and they are always less expensive than the salon you saw it in. Phyllis from Gownfind, is also supposed to be amazing when it comes to gowns and prices. There are also a few girls that have ordered online from netbride. There are also trunk shows which sell dresses at a discount.

As for normal . . . my sister went to at least 15 different bridal salons (some twice) and tried on at least 75 dresses before she found the one that made her happy.

Oh, and about the haircut, if you want your hair to look stunning on your wedding day you need to take care of it now, so don't feel guilty, just renind yourself it is a necessary wedding expense that you forgot to write on the list.

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Posted by cmastro25

Honestly, you need to just go to a shop and let the ladies show you some styles and actually try them on.

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I agree 100%

Its okay! No one is going to judge you for having your venting moments. I have had my share of them. Calm down,you have plenty of time to find the right dress. You should look at Marys bridal. Their dress are beautiful and very afforable. Also if all else fails, try ebay. I found a $1000 dress of Marys, on ebay for $500! But try to relax. You'll be fine! I've had money problems too! Everything will work out, and also a good reason to cheer up, your getting married on my 26th Birthday! lol So just relax, get that hair cut, put some make up on and go to starbucks and buy a nice cup of coffee. Things will work out in time. Trust me!

I had the exact same problem - hated all the dresses I saw out there, and then found it by 'chance' through someone's photo album at a photographer I was checking out.

I wanted a long-sleeve dress (which is already hard enough to find) without those flares they commonly make. I didn't want sheer, I didn't want beading, and I was giving up hope.

I agree with Sexyesq's post above - forget about the price and look for something you love. You can always have your dress made! My dress is $7,000 and I'm paying $700 to have ot made exactly.

There are always options out there.

You def need to just start trying some on. You might not like them in a pic on some model, or even on the hanger, but it's different once you put the dresses on.

You can't get 'the feeling' just by looking at pics. And if you don't find exactly what you want you can have the dress altered to add straps, etc; they can do anything nowadays. You might have to go a lil over budget but it all depends on how much it's worth it to you.

HTH!! Good luck in your search!!!

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Posted by SexyEsq

Oh, and about the haircut, if you want your hair to look stunning on your wedding day you need to take care of it now, so don't feel guilty, just renind yourself it is a necessary wedding expense that you forgot to write on the list.

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Ok, that just gave me the initiative to call up my hair guy and make an appointment! Thank you! Now, I just don't see how I could NOT get it cut! Thanks!

I'm in the same boat as you are. I'm finding it very difficult to find a dress i'm in love with but I'm sure we'll find the right dress at the right time.

thanks ladies. So nice to hear (read) your words, really.

The dresses I did find, that I liked and wanted to try on were not offered by any of those great discount sites. (damn me and my couture tastes vs. my off the rack budget!)

I had one trying on dresses excursion so far and it was a bust. Although fun to see myself in those get-ups - the dresses were way to poofy and traditional for me. And strapless, I mean the look itself is pretty - but its not for me. Every dress out there is strapless these days. I feel like when you add straps to those, it looks like you added straps. And not a completed look, is that weird?

The whole having a dress made deal is in the back of mind, as a back up... But seems like it would be stressful and I avoid stress. Christine, do you think it has added stress for you?

That is why this is all so disheartening to me I guess. I didn't want to feel like this about a wedding. I wanted to ELOPE! And I don't like trying things on! Especially with people in the room w/me. I hate that. I am a werido, I am giving out TMI!

anyhoo - thanks for reading and responding!

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Posted by itslaurie.

thanks ladies. So nice to hear (read) your words, really.

The dresses I did find, that I liked and wanted to try on were not offered by any of those great discount sites. (damn me and my couture tastes vs. my off the rack budget!)

I had one trying on dresses excursion so far and it was a bust. Although fun to see myself in those get-ups - the dresses were way to poofy and traditional for me. And strapless, I mean the look itself is pretty - but its not for me. Every dress out there is strapless these days. I feel like when you add straps to those, it looks like you added straps. And not a completed look, is that weird?

The whole having a dress made deal is in the back of mind, as a back up... But seems like it would be stressful and I avoid stress. Christine, do you think it has added stress for you?

That is why this is all so disheartening to me I guess. I didn't want to feel like this about a wedding. I wanted to ELOPE! And I don't like trying things on! Especially with people in the room w/me. I hate that. I am a werido, I am giving out TMI!

anyhoo - thanks for reading and responding!

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I was freaking out for a bit, and that's why I decided to have my dress made earlier and fib to the dressmaker with an earlier wedding date, as a 'just in case' option.

However, have I found a 'back-up' dress - absolutely not. I know this dress is the one and that's it. I have YET to find something else that I like.

When I went and met with my dressmaker, her enthusiasm, her taste, and her presence put me at ease and I left will full confidence of her work and the turnout of my dress.

Keep your chin up - you'll know when it's the one.

p.s. I know EXACTLY what you mean by all the dresses out there not being you. My dress is a Monique Lhuillier - offerred at two places in NYC - Kleinfeld's and Bergdorff. I went and tried 'MY DRESS' on at both places, felt like a million bucks and laughed b/c I knew I was having it made for a ridiculous fraction of the price. That's what 'BOOTLEG' is for....

If you have couture taste check out:

www.bridepower.com
or
www.bridecouture.com

They are all samples!!!

Also look into sample sales.. sign up for TOPBUTTON.com

I think Amsale/Kenneth Pool are having sample sales this week.. You can get a deal there.

Good luck!!!!

HI there. I was having the same problem (champagne taste on a beer budget), so I, like Christine, am having my dress 're-created' LOL

I actually thought the whole process would be a lot more stressful, but there is something to be said about picking every last detail of your dress....it becomes a part of you.

on Saturday I spent hours feeling materials, putting different colors up against my skin, matching lace embroidery to the other details of my dress and it was wonderful. I was enveloped by the whole process and felt amazed and awed by it all. when all is said and done, this dress will be MINE. no one in the world will have it's equal- just like my relationship- I will work and build it with sweat, tears (of joy) and hopefully no blood (LOL) and in the end it will be more than I ever thought it could be.....what more could I ask for in my wedding (dress)

you seems to really be creative and enjoy things like this. it could be the remedy you've been waiting for.

Good luck.

GO SHOPPING!!

Dresses online look nothing like they do in person (or on a model)

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Posted by sdicarlo

Also look into sample sales.. sign up for TOPBUTTON.com

I think Amsale/Kenneth Pool are having sample sales this week.. You can get a deal there.

Good luck!!!!

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new link! yay, thank you - great site.

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Posted by JessicaM.

HI there. I was having the same problem (champagne taste on a beer budget), so I, like Christine, am having my dress 're-created' LOL

I actually thought the whole process would be a lot more stressful, but there is something to be said about picking every last detail of your dress....it becomes a part of you.

Good luck.

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hey, that is such a nice way to look at it. Thank you. But now I feel bad for being such a Negative Nelly.

Ha, no seriously you have a great take on this and I am going to adopt it. I am usually a lot more optimistic about such things. I think if I come back and read this post in a week - I might feel embarrassed at my poor attitude.

ps - thanks for the creative compliment.

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Posted by ChristineAE


I was freaking out for a bit, and that's why I decided to have my dress made earlier and fib to the dressmaker with an earlier wedding date, as a 'just in case' option.

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sneaky... I like it!

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Posted by ChristineAE
That's what 'BOOTLEG' is for....

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exactly! so get on to bootlegging those pocketfolds! fh is a graphic designer, and I dabble - so let me know if you need help with layout.