Wow prices: say yes for the dress

[Patience]

My oldest daughter married in November 2018 and picked a gown that was under our budget. She was adamant that she wanted a dress with sleeves and the bridal shop only had 8 or 9 with sleeves in the whole place so they brought them all out for her. My daughter fell in the love with the fifth dress she tried. I could see in her face the minute she came out of the dressing room that she had found her dress. She was glowing and I was so happy and then I panicked for a moment because I had no idea how much the dress cost. When they told us the price, I was so relieved! Her dress, alterations and veil cost a bit less than $1300, I think.

 

[marthachick]

Is it bad that I'm glad to have a son so I don't have to someday deal with wedding dresses? I'll gladly pay for a tuxedo rental...

That’s what I thought but my (now) DIL’s mother died when she was 14 so she asked her grandmother, best friend, dad and me to go help pick out her dress. I was honored that she asked me to go. I didn’t pay for her dress but we did help with other expenses.

 

[PaulaSB12]

the trouble is that many of the dresses make me think of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/1240258133...MIu7nDq9Cc6gIVm-vtCh2zoQwVEAQYBCABEgLIbPD_BwE

 

[PrincesCJM]

I got married in 2009 and spent $450 (I believe) on my dress. I work as a high school teacher and gifts often spend more than that on homecoming dresses and prom dresses. It blows my mind

 

[;-)]

Got my gown at Kleinfeld, I went to the sample sale! I scored mint gown—never tried on by anyone before, and I was a fraction of the price!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I wonder how common it is to buy the first dress you try on?...

That was me!

 

[Donald13]

DD told me for fun she had watched some episodes of say yes to the dress. So I checked it out. Wowzer, I googled, during your appt you get to try on 4 dresses and starting budget should be $2500. I’m thankful I don’t have that store anywhere near me! For DD to dream in.

It’s in Manhattan! It’s a high end bridal store. And it’s a realty tv show. Made for drama. And $2500 for a dress is. Not awful. Don’t judge so much

 

[nkereina]

I got married four years ago and spent $400 at David's Bridal on my dress. I actually lost a bunch of weight between the time I ordered it and the time I went back to try it on when it came in, and they were able to re-order it for me in a smaller size. One of the benefits of going to a "chain" type of place. I spent about $150 on alterations, which included removing the train, hemming, and then she added a loop in the back near the zipper that my strapless bra went through, which prevented the bra from peeking out the back of the dress since the dress had a low back.

 

[mousefan73]

My dd got her dress at Kleinfeld. Just add head piece, shoes and veil - veils can cost as much as the dress

This is why I decided to make my own.. Actually a friend did it. but I would htink that nowadays there are enough youtube videos out there. Unless you want an ornate one with major embelishments or a lace pattern etc.. it is not rocket science...

Just a tip we sewed mini fake pearls throughout mind.. So many pictures have a flash dot reflection from them...

 

[ronandannette]

This is why I decided to make my own.. Actually a friend did it. but I would htink that nowadays there are enough youtube videos out there. Unless you want an ornate one with major embelishments or a lace pattern etc.. it is not rocket science...

Just a tip we sewed mini fake pearls throughout mind.. So many pictures have a flash dot reflection from them...

It might not be quite the vibe that a bride is going for but I noticed in Michael’s the other day there are DIY craft kits for veils/headpieces and sparkly belts in the wedding section.

 

[rwdavis2]

What is the point of spending that kind of money on a one use piece of clothing? The wedding industry in the USA is quite a racket.

 

[WDWJDS]

It’s in Manhattan! It’s a high end bridal store. And it’s a realty tv show. Made for drama. And $2500 for a dress is. Not awful. Don’t judge so much

Well dang, that was a little harsh . I didn’t see any judgement in that post, just that $2500 minimum wasn’t an option for them so they were glad that they didn’t live near Kleinfelds.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

What is the point of spending that kind of money on a one use piece of clothing? The wedding industry in the USA is quite a racket.

For many brides the dress is much more than just a "one use piece of clothing." It can be something that contains a great deal of symbolism, religious or otherwise, for both the bride and the groom. It can be an investment for the start of a family tradition. A friend of ours had her dress made by both her grandmothers with very expensive lace and fabric. The hope is that many more women in her family will wear that gown for years to come. This kind of invaluable worth may not be true for all wedding gowns, but for those who believe in it, their gowns, made or bought, are so much more than just dresses.

 

[Moliphino]

When my sister was getting married (2011) we went to the running of the brides in Boston. She actually wound up buying three dresses because she couldn't decide. Total cost $1000. I think the one she wore was $250 (not including alterations).

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

That show drive me nuts, but I'm a cheapskate. I can't see spending more than the downpayment on our first house on a one time dress. I'm not knocking anyone who does, it's your wedding and you get to decide what's most important to you. It just wasn't my thing. I definitely can't stand the whiny brides that seem to think their parents should mortgage their house for the dress.

I got mine for $17 at the JC Penny outlet. It was actually a floor length creamy colored mother of the bride dress but it worked perfectly for our small wedding. I wore tea dyed keds with it with lace ties. There's a favorite picture of me and our little flower girl comparing our shoes in our album. My mother was a sewing genius back in the day so she made my veil, which was attached to the headpiece from hers. Looking back 20 years later I cringe at a lot of things from our 1990s wedding, but I wouldn't change the dress (or the bridesmaids dresses either, for that matter).

 

[Donald13]

Well dang, that was a little harsh . I didn’t see any judgement in that post, just that $2500 minimum wasn’t an option for them so they were glad that they didn’t live near Kleinfelds.

I disagree I don’t think it was harsh. It’s a bridal store in nyc. I didn’t shop there because i went somewhere local. I don’t think this whole post is even necessary

 

[Donald13]

When my sister was getting married (2011) we went to the running of the brides in Boston. She actually wound up buying three dresses because she couldn't decide. Total cost $1000. I think the one she wore was $250 (not including alterations).

What did she do with the other 2? I’m just curious

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Hi, I’ve come to collect the title of Biggest Cheapskate on the Thread. 1) It would be a cold day in hell before I would ever spend thousands of dollars on something that would get worn once, 2) I was traveling internationally and didn’t want the fuss of hauling a gown around with me for a month. Outdoor wedding, casual-chic vibe. I bought a $20 skirt on eBay and paired it with a shirt and sandals I already owned. I “splurged” on accessories for about $150. Those I still wear and/or have put aside as keepsakes. I still managed to look like a lovely bride and don’t have a single regret about not spending more.

 

[Moliphino]

What did she do with the other 2? I’m just curious

They've just been hanging around since then, they're in the closet at my house at the moment. One of them I might use if I ever get married and we've talked about selling the other, but never got around to it.

 

[Kae]

in 1989 my dress was 800 and alteration around 250 so with price adjustments might be just under the 2k mark and I did try on quite a few dresses that were around 1500. In my group, average price was 600 to 800 for a dress.