Wedding Blog

Hello Weddingbee readers! I’m thrilled to be coming on board!! It is my promise to let you know of every great wedding bargain that comes my way. And so I decided to blog my first post on one of my greatest deals ever…

The Search for “The One” (ie The Wedding Dress)

Though I never dreamed about my wedding dress before I got engaged, I did dream about what I would look like. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Basically nothing short of knocking-the-socks-off of Mr. Tomato when he sees me walking down the aisle.

Yet I’m practical as I am idealistic, and I knew my allotted dress budget of $1000 didn’t allow for a new designer gown. Still, I knew bridal salons held sales, so I subscribed to a number of e-mail lists and received notice that there were upcoming sales in two bridal salons in San Francisco-Atelier Des Modistes and Glamour Closet.

I checked out Glamour Closet first, which sells “gently used gowns” at up to 75% off. There was a detached frenzy about this place. I was ushered in, handed a number, and told to peruse the rack of dresses and then wait. Though they claim to carry Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang gowns, I only saw one Vera and Carolina, and they must have been from five seasons ago (the Carolina was long-sleeved, which would not be appropriate for my summer wedding).

When my number was called, I was whisked into a dressing room and the salesgirl quickly helped me into a dress. “So what do you think?” she asked, as if I would have an answer right away.

“Um,” I said, examining myself from all angles. “I don’t know.”

Without saying anything, she made a movement to help me out of the dress and into the next one. I was hesitant about that one, too, and I think she sensed that I wasn’t about to purchase a dress from her that day, so she pretty much left me alone at that point. I didn’t have the best experience there, but I know other people who went and found “the one” so who knows, maybe you will too!

I moved on to Atelier with high hopes–I knew it was a small boutique and I liked the thought of finding a “hidden gem.” And indeed it was-the owner/designer Suzanne Hanley put me at ease and didn’t turn up her nose when I told her I had to stick with my budget. Most of her dresses start at $2000+ but there were sample gowns starting at $500.

I loved the creamy softness of the duchess silk she uses in most of her dresses. The love she pours into her handiwork is definitely apparent. The silhouettes were flattering on my petite figure, but the three dresses that were within my budget were a little too simple for my taste. I was hoping for a little beading or lace, but there weren’t any of those styles available for under $1000.

A little dejected, my recently-married friends suggested I check out Elegant Lace in San Jose, which is a big “superstore” of wedding dresses. Mr. Tomato came along with me, as I wanted his critique and I’m not superstitious about the groom seeing the bride in her dress before the wedding.

The first wedding dress I tried on, he said I looked like seafood because my dress had frills that reminded him of a scallop shell. The second one, he declared me a mummy, which prompted me to burst out laughing. My attendant remarked that we “obviously had a great relationship, because most brides would burst out crying at that point.” I guess so! We had a good time, but I didn’t find my dress.

We also went to Trudy’s, which is another wedding gown superstore in Campbell. I’ve heard mixed reviews of this place (a friend of mine went there, only to have the attendant rudely tell her she needed to work out!) so I wasn’t entirely excited. Turned out I didn’t have any luck there either.

It was at this point that I realized a designer gown truly felt different from their less expensive counterparts…at both Elegant Lace and Trudy’s, I felt that the wire frames were poking me at the ribcage, the lace was scratchy, and the silk just wasn’t as luscious as the one at Atelier. Still, I couldn’t afford to spend more than my budget. Or could I?

A few days later, another friend suggested I try Unique Bride in Burlingame. It was another upscale boutique, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to find something under $1000. So when the salesgirl there asked me what my budget range was, I said $1500. She paused and said their gowns started at $2500, but they did have a few past season dresses that were heavily discounted. Would I be interested?

I nodded enthusiastically. I was more interested in classy than trendy, so I was game.

She brought out three dresses, and helped me into the first one. “This is a Monique Lhuillier,” she said. As I put it on, there were butterflies in my stomach. The silk felt delicious and I loved the beading at the bodice, the pewter silk sash, and the dainty buttons that went all along down the back.

“It’s a little over your budget,” the salesgirl said, “but a VERY good deal. It was $5000 and is now on sale for $2000.”

My heart sank. $1500 was stretching my budget. I definitely couldn’t afford $2000.

So I tried on the other two dresses, and they were lovely but my heart already belonged to the Monique Lhuillier. The salesgirl must have noticed my sad face, because she said, “Well, I could probably knock it down to $1500.” I felt my face brighten, and asked if I could try it on again.

Even when I tried it on the second time, the butterflies came back to my stomach. It was definitely “the one.”

“It’s going to need some alterations since it’s too big,” the salesgirl said. “We’re looking at probably $400.”

“$400?” I asked. “I can’t afford $400 on top of $1500. Is there any way you can lower the price so I can afford alterations in addition to the dress?” I was fearing the worst (did she despise me for bargaining down a Monique that was already 70% off?) but after she came back from talking to her manager, she said that $1100 would be okay. I left the salon with an elated smile and a garment bag in both hands.

Mission accomplished.

In Summary (please keep in mind these are only my opinions–your experience may be different):

Atelier des Modistes, San Francisco CA

Pros: personalized and helpful service, excellent craftsmanship and unique styles

Cons: small inventory

My overall experience: A

Glamour Closet, San Francisco CA

Pros: good deals on designer dresses, if you don’t mind wearing something previously worn

Cons: small inventory, up to 45 minute wait for walk-ins, rushed pace

My overall experience: B

Trudy’s, Campbell CA

Pros: large inventory

Cons: felt very rushed, was told appt only, can be insensitive to customers

My overall experience: B

Elegant Lace, San Jose CA

Pros: my attendant was patient and helpful, large inventory

Cons: though my attendant was great, some of the others seemed a bit rude and pushy

My overall experience: B+

Unique Bride, Burlingame CA

Pros: helpful service, good-sized inventory for small boutique

Cons: the racks are located in a backroom, so customers are unable to peruse their stock

My overall experience: A-