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Wedding dress budget help!

gonzalezm3 Posted:

Wedding dress budget help!

So I am going to start trying on dresses soon with my mom and I need to realistically think about what I can afford and not.

My total budget for the dress, shoes, jewelry - etc is $500...Yeah I know, not a lot. So I need help on how to break down the budget with this:

- Dress
- Alterations
- Shoes
- Undergarments
- Jewelry (have earrings already)

Does anyone know how much I can allocate to all these to add up to 500? Is this even do-able? TIA

edit:
I am even thinking about renting a dress to save money but mom thinks i need to buy it. hmm
AngnShaun Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

My only suggestion is Davids Bridal... they are having the $99 sale now... but even so i think alterations would def put you over 500... if I dont loose any weight between now and the wedding i wont need alterations... i was a perfect size 12 in my dress from DB... but all my accessories... bra, slip, head band, necklace, earings and shoes came to $300

halfbaked Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!


Posted by AngnShaun

My only suggestion is Davids Bridal... they are having the $99 sale now... but even so i think alterations would def put you over 500... if I dont loose any weight between now and the wedding i wont need alterations... i was a perfect size 12 in my dress from DB... but all my accessories... bra, slip, head band, necklace, earings and shoes came to $300



Ditto! Hit up that $99 gown sale. They have some gorgeous dresses on sale. Also, look into websites like preownedweddingdress.com. Try and borrow your DOJ from your family/friends (that way it'll work for your something borrowed as well!). Consider wearing colored shoes, maybe even a pair you already have!
Mommy2BeBride Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

ITA with these ladies!! David's Bridal $99 sale is great!! I was there the other day [Westbury] and they had plenty of dresses to choose from!!

DaniandKen2010 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

My bf got her dress off the rack at Bay Shore Bridals. And my sister got her's off the rack at Centereach Bridal. Look at the David's bridal and then look on ebay for the rest of the accessories. Also I know some girls who have gone with a more elaborate bridesmaid dress in white. You can find some really pretty ones that look like wedding dresses

stinenandy2010 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

I think the biggest factor is the alterations....I only needed $75 worth of alterations....however I know girls who have spend $300. It all depends on how well the dress fits. As for shoes, you can find nice shoes for $50 easy. Undergarments....again depending on the type of bra and spanx...I would say around $100. And you can find some nice inexpensive jewelery on ebay or in the city.

RGEC47 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

It's definitely doable. Davids Bridal has great options, and go somewhere where you can buy off the rack. Be sure to order your dress as close to your size as possible, that way the alterations will be minimal. I am not having my dress altered at a bridal shop they charge way to much, try going to a local seamstress, make sure she/he is reliable.

halfbaked Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!


Posted by DaniandKen2010

My bf got her dress off the rack at Bay Shore Bridals. And my sister got her's off the rack at Centereach Bridal. Look at the David's bridal and then look on ebay for the rest of the accessories. Also I know some girls who have gone with a more elaborate bridesmaid dress in white. You can find some really pretty ones that look like wedding dresses




Ahh good call on the white BM gowns. They have some really nice ones and they are so much less expensive. Isn't there a place in the city that sells donated/overstock/pre-owned dresses? Like the Bridal Garden or something like that?

Yes, it is the Bridal Garden. It'd be worth a look.
http://www.bridalgarden.org/
gonzalezm3 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

Thank you all SO much for the advice! Appreciate all the help!!

springsandra Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

I bought my wedding dress on CL for $150. I spent $200 on alterations by going to a family friend of a very close friend. I borrowed my DOJ from my step-mom (they were beautiful pieces!) so that was free. I got my shoes at Sandy's Shoes for $90 (they had much cheaper ones, but I loved these).

So, in total, I spent $440 on my wedding ensemble ($460 if you include the garter... another $10 for my 'Bride' panties from VS).

It was an $800 dress new, so $150 was a very good deal on it. I know it was worn before, but in a way it became my 'something old' and I still felt like a princess in my dress.
dfw343 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

I second CL..I see a lot of dresses on there and in this economy, past brides need money! (I will be selling my dress after).

I got my second dress on ebay for 70. I would of worn it as first!

(For ebay I suggest past brides not those big stores).

I spend 60 bucks on DOJ for stuff I will wear again.

FM me for help on that if you want...
ourwedding9510 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!


Posted by stinenandy2010

I think the biggest factor is the alterations....I only needed $75 worth of alterations....however I know girls who have spend $300. It all depends on how well the dress fits. As for shoes, you can find nice shoes for $50 easy. Undergarments....again depending on the type of bra and spanx...I would say around $100. And you can find some nice inexpensive jewelery on ebay or in the city.



I agree with everything here! The alterations might put you a litte over or just close. As for the shoes, you can get a nice pair at payless and they are really comfortable. I'm actually borrwing my FSIL's shoes (she got married this May and we have the same foot). And borrow some jewelry if you can. Look around on this site too. Girls are always giving tips or even selling stuff that you might able to buy on the less expensive side.

GL!
futureMrsJSL Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

It's definitely doable! I'd go to Davids Bridal or check out www.jessicmccintock.com, or www.dresscodeformal.com (many of the dreses on this site can be made in ivory or white) but only if you are open to ordering online.

For alterations I would just go to a local/reputable tailor.

For jewelry check out Kohls or Etys. I'd allocate the most to the dress and alterations. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Im_My_Own_Princess Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

ebay... as scary as it is.. you can get a BEAUTIFUL dress on ebay and keep the price down. then you can go to a local seamstress and have it adjusted.
shoes you can get anywhere.. payless has a nice selection (thats prob where i'll get mine) or even love my shoes... you can spend under $50.00 on shoes.
undergarments- JC PENNY! I only wear their undies.. I refuse to go anywhere else, i'm stubborn.. w/e its cheap and lasts!
jewelry- this is where you might be spending the most.. if you want real diamonds, gold, etc... you can try ultra in deer park.. they are really nice there, talk to Ron, he's the manager.. i adore him! but if you want something a little cheaper and just as nice- try kohls (or walmart in massapequa had some nice selections last time i went there).

good luck
melh9 Posted:

Re: Wedding dress budget help!

try the bridal world in Baldwin, they have some lovely dresses! My sister in law to be got her wedding dress there for $350 and its gorgeous!
473 Grand Avenue - Baldwin, Long Island NY 11510 Store Hours
Phone Hours 10am to 6pm - 866.594.9010 516.594.9010

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