Ladies – let’s get serious…we ALL want a couture gown. I don’t care if you’re punk, hippie, yuppie or nerd (I fall into that last category), every one of us would love to find a couture gown that fits our personality and fits in our price range. The problem is that most of us simply can’t afford it…well, unless we decide to buy the dream dress and get married at a courthouse – which could be a dream come true for some but according to statistics, not most. So, the big question is, how do you score a couture dream dress within your budget? There are a few options, some that will not come as a surprise to see here and one or two that may have you cracking open a bottle of wine to celebrate. I’ve got my glass next to me, feel free to join in.
Hi Vera, I love you.
Because there are quite a few options, I’ve broken this into two posts…I love creating suspense – even if it’s just in my imagination.
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Trunk shows. Almost everyone is familiar with a trunk show once they begin the hunt for a dress. But for any newbies that are starting their searches, basically, the designer sends a representative to the store (or sometimes will attend themselves) for a few select days – typically over a weekend. During that time, they bring dresses that are normally not samples available at that store – they are always available for purchase through the store since the designer is carried there but they don’t always have every sample of every dress that is made in stock. It gives you an opportunity to try on many dresses by one designer. If you decide to purchase during a trunk show, you will get a discount – usually between 10-20% (negotiate, negotiate, negotiate - perhaps you can get a complimentary veil or money off of your alterations, it never hurts to ask) and if there are any changes that you’d like made to the gown, it’s a great time to ask about them because a designer rep is there and can tell you what can and cannot be done.
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Sample sales. Sample sales are probably the most logical choice for finding a nice dress at a good discount. You aren’t guaranteed to find a “couture” dress at a sample sale but depending on where you go, there’s a chance. Typically these dresses are a bit worn-in and may need to be cleaned/repaired but overall, if you can find one you love, you’ll get it for cheaper than it was originally priced and cheaper than it would be at a trunk sale. Score!
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Running of the brides. Okay, if you live east of the Mississippi, you are probably familiar with this term and the insanity that can ensue when one of these events takes place...you may also remember Mrs. Toucan's post on her experience. Filene’s Basement has sales at different locations where dresses are marked extremely low. Here’s the thing, unlike a sample sale where you will have a bit more control and organization, this is more of a cattle call...but a very pretty cattle call. :) Girls usually arrive in teams, stake a place within the store and grab armfuls of dresses at a time, hoping to find one that might be a fit. I’ve heard of girls getting VERY lucky and I’ve heard of girls buying dresses only to sell them (or try to sell them) later after realizing it was an affordable, impulse purchase. So, if you are looking for a very specific type of dress, you may not have a lot of luck here – but if you are looking for a common silhouette or neckline or fabric, etc. then you could end up really getting an incredible deal. Oh, I should mention…brides and their “teams” begin camping out the night before these sales – you’ve been warned.
Find an incredible seamstress. Now this is for those not afraid of taking a risk. If you find a dream dress that is completely out of your price range, you can try to find a way to have it made. You have to put a LOT of trust in your seamstress and cross your fingers that the dress will turn out the way you hope for. The good part of this option is that you have a say in pretty much every part of the process. You can help with picking out the fabric, you can add straps, take away beading, pretty much make the dress exactly what you want. This will easily be much cheaper than buying a couture gown and you could end up with an identical version or something you love even more. My only advice here would be to research, research, research before you book your seamstress. Ask for testimonials, photos and recommendations to make sure you find someone that will understand your vision and be able to accomplish it.
And I hate to do this but I have to save my favorite and most secret tip for the next post…don’t hate me. :)
Did you go one of these routes? How did you find your dress?
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