I Bought My Wedding Gown (Under Budget!)
Posted on September 05, 2006 by Her and tagged wedding
I bought my wedding gown! I went to the Filene's Basement Running of the Brides Sale and found my gown for $249 - far less than the original $1,000 price tag! We've been using the wedding budget calculator at www.theknot.com to plan our budget, and the calculator allowed $1,500 for my gown (with alterations). My gown will still need to be cleaned, altered and repaired (there are a few tiny beads that need to be re-attached), but even with all that I will still be waaaay under budget!
My gown is a satin semi-cathedral Alfred Angelo gown with glass and sterling silver beadwork. It fit like a dream and is the most beautiful gown I could have ever found. And I beat our budget by 85%! To top off the deal, I paid for it with a rewards card, which we will pay off as soon as the bill comes in.
Comments/Trackbacks
Trackback URL: http://www.makelovenotdebt.com/MT/mlnd-trackbacks.cgi/989
I agree with Savvy. TheKnot's budget calculator can be flat out idiotic and unrealistic. Often times they would tell me to spend way more on something that it would really cost and much less on something than I could ever hope to spend. I know it's all based on a percentage of what your budget is, but it's not realistic.
Peggy | Sep 5, 2006
So glad to hear you found a great gown at a great price! I've been following along for a while now so I know you must be really excited to have such a big piece of the puzzle figured out. Shop/ask around on the alterations. I know a lady who has altered both the bridesmaid dresses I've had to wear in the last 10 years and she is super inexpensive and does a nice job. Would only know she did it by word of mouth though so start asking around. :)
Peg
Liz | Sep 5, 2006
one great way to reduce cost on alterations is to buy TALLER shoes. lol. thats what I did, my dress was way too long so I just bought higher heels. to alter my dress was going to cost me at LEAST $200!! almost half of what I spent on my dress.
c | Sep 6, 2006
I echo the sentiments on the costliness of the alterations. My dress was around $550 but my alterations were close to $300. I got the alterations done at a wedding gown shop, but I didn't have a lot of options. So definately shop around and see if you can get a referral from a friend, etc. You don't want someone off the street working on your dream gown, but you don't want to break the bank either. Congrats on finding the dress...that's one of the hardest parts of planning a wedding!
savvy saver | Sep 5, 2006
I was using theKnot.com to plan my wedding budget when I first started, but I quickly realized that The Knot exists soley to see brides-to-be overpriced wedding stuff. If you are really trying to stay under budget, I would recommend spending less time there :)
Also, as far as alterations, cleaning, repair and that stuff, keep in mind that it can be very expensive. I got a great deal on my gown (I think it was $200 or $300), but the alterations (just shortening it) and pressing ended up being more than the gown. I can imagine that repairs and cleaning won't be cheap either.
Reply to this comment