I've read tons of horror stories about buying wedding dresses and Im starting to get nervous. Im going to be one of those people who have a small budget (no more than 1K on dress) and Im starting to feel like bridal places treat people with smaller budgets worse. Did anyone else have a small budget also and if so can you help me with places I can go to where the salespeople dont seem biased?
Thanks! I know this topic has been done before but budgets werent mentioned in those threads...
Dalito322
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
Don't believe that at all! You can get plenty of dresses for under 1K..... I don't know what style you like, but Maggie Sottero has beautiful dresses that are quite affordable and you would think they were more. I have a picture of mine in my album, it was $650 plus tax.
Look around - don't necessarily tell them your budget upfront, I didn't. just tell them the style you're looking for, then definitely shop around and get prices from various places. They will always try to out bid each other.
Butterfly123
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
Wow! I have no idea how this works lol. So you go to one place and then another and just casually mention how the other places prices were better?? Im so bad with negotiating! Im gonna have to bring a few people with me who are good at that! lol I just looked around and noticed most peoples budget are 1K or a little above that so I dont feel so bad anymore. And Im definitely not going to mention the budget up front.
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
My budget was $1K or less. I found a couple of dresses that I really liked and was close to getting, in that range. One was $700 and the other was $900 something.
I wasn't completely in love with either of the gowns so I kept looking. I saw a pic of a dress and loved it so I called around until I found someone who had it as a sample (it was a brand new style so almost no one had it). As soon as I tried it on, I knew. Unfortunately it was 2x my original budget! And since my mom was buying my dress, I didn't want to get it. They gave me a better price than was on the tag. They saw that I was still hesitating and I asked if that was the best price so the lady went to speak to the manager (supposedly) and came back with a slightly better price. I spoke to my mom and she was ok with it all, but when the lady came back in, she mentioned that we'd get it if that price INCLUDED taxes (which would have been like $100 more) and the lady went to ask again and came back to tell us it was ok.
So in the end, I went over my budget, but less than half. DO NOT be afraid to ask if that is the best price and to tell them you saw it elsewhere for less (make sure you have proof though). I've heard that most bridal stores will drop the price by 10-15% off the tag. I got more than that off my price.
Good luck!
Dalito322
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
What can I say, I'm cheap and insist on getting the most for my money so I had no problem bargain shopping!
Definitely take your time and look around, go to a bunch of stores and try on numerous dresses. I started out at RK Bridal in NYC which had thousands of dresses, which I liked cause it helped me narrow down what I wanted.
When you find 'the one', go to a few salons, and ALWAYS ask them for their card, and for them to write the DRESS STYLE and PRICE on it. This is the proof other stores will want when trying to negotiate prices.
I ended up buying mine at Burton's, they gave me a great price over the phone, I didn't need to show them a card or anything. They didn't have my dress in the store as a sample, but they ordered it for me and I got it last month. Looks gorgeous!
Just take your time, do some research - and don't let any pushy salespeople get to you!
bk309
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
You can definitely find something. I haven't found my dress yet but I have been to a few places. In the beginning I would just lie to the people about my budget just so I can try on whatever I want. I knew I wasn't ready to buy yet so I figured it was none of their business. Today I went to a place in Jersey called True Love Bridal. It was awesome. I tried on about 18 dresses and they ranged from $300 - $1900. And tehy totally understood about not having to spend a fortune on a dress. Every dress there was under $2000. You will definitely find something in your budget that you love. And don't worry about the stupid places that turn their nose up if you don't want a really pricey dress. They are losers! Good Luck!
drpepper318
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
How about Davids? I got a dress that I love for just $650 (plus tax). No pressure to spend a ton of $$$. I'm going someplace else for alterations, but, I had no problems with getting my dress there.
Pencils
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
My budget was $1K or less too, and I was trying for the 'less.' Don't worry about salons not treating you well, just don't go to places like Kleinfeld's where their dresses start at $1800. I had no problems. There are many, many gorgeous dresses in your price range, everything from Maggie Sottero, to Watters, Bonny, Alfred Angelo, Mon Cheri, Allure, and Casablanca, who made my gown. And many more. Just do a little research and find out the price ranges of different lines before you hit the salons.
I went to RK Bridal first, as they seemed to have a big selection and good prices. There's plenty of places on Long Island to look--Burtons, Bay Shore Bridal, etc. I ended up buying my gown at the Commack Wedding Center. I read some bad reviews and posts about them on here, but I had a good experience with them. They definitely gave me the best price by far on my gown. OK, they were a bit slow at times, but never rude or anything.
Have fun shopping!
ChristineAaron08
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
I had a similar budget. I found many dresses I loved for under $1000. Casablanca, Jasmine, Maggie (may be about $1200), Jacqueline, Princess, Bonnie, Lotus/Eden, Moonlight, Mori Lee- there are soooo many more.
Just be upfront with the salon about your budget and they will only show you what is in your budget. (nothing worse then falling in love w/ and out of budget dress.
No-one gave me an attitude. (I was scared they would too). I went to Bridal Suite in Bayshore. They had a very large selection in my price range. I tried Bridal reflections too, but they started around $1200. The small-mom and pop places seemed to cary the biggest selections. Good Luck!
nifheim
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
Best advice dress shopping say your looking at the $800 range but your flexible. If you say 1k they will show you 1k and above.
also shop around - i found the dress i wanted was $300 less somewhere else and i did not have to deal with rk bridal in the city . I am not one to travel to the city to buy something when there are plenty of shops here on the island that can do just as well. But if your up for the train ride / car ride and its something you enjoy then deff. do rk bridal.
Btw as everyone above stated there are plenty of GREAT dresses under 1k. I went to two shops and my mom said say you have a budget of 1500 just to see if its that big of a deal and i did and honestly those dresses were not as impressive to me as the ones i had tried on that were 1k or $750. It really depends on what you like as a style and a fabric and ignore 'name brand' because no one really gives a RATS *** what the label on your gown says and 97% of the time no one cares to ask.
iwannabmrsD
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
i agree my budget is less than 1k also.. I actually hoped to run in to david's bridal around 3 months ahead of my wedding adn grab one of those $99 dresses.. I didn't see the point in going all coo-koo over it cause i know i'll look fabulous regardless..
but i found that the $99 dresses didn't fit my style and i had to increase my dress budget.. but that didn't decrease my selection nor the quality of service. i went to demtrios bridal salon in smith haven mall and found a couple that i liked for under $900.
i'd suggest getting out there and looking around!
Good Luck!
Shorty McBride
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
My budget was 1k = I ended up getting my dress, shoes, veil, headpiece, and alterations for 1k!
Look around for what you like, call around for the best price, and you'll be just fine. I've found that many $5000 dresses have a $700 counterpart out there somewhere...you just have to look!
ILOVEBRIAN2008
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
u can def do it!! i bought my maggie sottero 'capri' from helens bridal..if you go to their website they have $100 coupon, and i got it during a trunk sale..i paid $720...the people were VERY nice! just dont go to one of those bridal shops that mostly sells dresses for thousands of dollars..they may look at you strange when u say your budget is 1000...but most places are much more affordable than that and there are a TON of dresses in your price range
medic6809
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
I got my dress at david's and I LOVE IT!!!! I paid 1200 total. This included-----dress, veil, tiara, crenoline?, Sorry i'm a bad speller , purse, and DOJ. 1K is a VERY doable amount. They had a TON of dress, and before we changed our minds about the wedding I found a BM dress you can order in white for $200 I loved it also so it just depends. Look around and you can find a lot in the 1k or less price range! Also with it starting the summer season there are a lot of white dresses out there so look at department stores. I know it sounds dumb, but Macy's had some really cute white evening dresses. It just depends on the type of wedding you're having and your accessories. Any simple dress can be upgraded w/the right jewelry!
waterspout4
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
I am the budget wench!! I first set $300 for my budget. Everyone laughed at me. I ended up getting mine for $25, brand new!!!!! (Yes, I got it on Long Island.) Please check out my review to find out where I went!!!
Before I bought my dress, I did go to Paradise Bridal in Patchogue. They were amazing to me!!!!!! Never once did I mention a budget, but I never saw a dress over $1000. I also went to the Bridal Suite in Centereach. Many places have dresses you can buy off the rack and they are much less!! Good luck!
I'm not spending 2 much on a dress, I will look everywhere to find one to stay in budget.
MrsRallis07
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
My wedding dress budget wasn't no more then $1k. There is nothing wrong with bargain shopping. Make sure you look around before you buy any dress. The dress in my album cost me less then $1k including my veil & crown. I purchase my dress from Burton's in Melville. Carol is awesome & really works with you on the prices. Best of luck
iwannabmrsD
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
Posted by waterspout4
I am the budget wench!! I first set $300 for my budget. Everyone laughed at me. I ended up getting mine for $25, brand new!!!!! (Yes, I got it on Long Island.) Please check out my review to find out where I went!!!
Before I bought my dress, I did go to Paradise Bridal in Patchogue. They were amazing to me!!!!!! Never once did I mention a budget, but I never saw a dress over $1000. I also went to the Bridal Suite in Centereach. Many places have dresses you can buy off the rack and they are much less!! Good luck!
i read u'r review and actually drove out there on Friday!! didn't actually make it though (the tangiers outlets at Riverhead were calling me..)but i'mma try again one day.. hopefully i can find a fabulous dress for under $100..
sr081906
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Re: Wedding Dress Budget
There are LOTS of dresses under 1K. Really!!!!
It would be harder if you had said less then $500. Still possible but less 'available'.
