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When I first went shopping for bridal gowns, I quickly fell in love with this Jim Hjelm gown. The catch? It had a hefty $3300 price tag. I didn’t buy the dress.
Then months later, I went out shopping again. This time I found a dress I also liked, mostly because it had a $600 price tag. I felt great about the price! I liked the dress! My MOH said, “yes, it is the one!,” but I think she may have been trying to convince me it was a good buy, and I’m pretty certain she really loved the other one, as did I. My FMIL loved it (she wasn’t crazy about the other one).
So what happened? I was so happy with that purchase on that day, and then when I got home and took a look at the pictures side-by-side, (or by themselves really) I just couldn’t brush aside my wedding gown blues.
The truth is, I couldn’t afford the $3300 dress…but started to regret not getting that first dress I loved…
To be continued…
Although the bust line of the Jim Hjelm dress is lovely, I think the one you bought is much more flattering on you. It really looks beautiful!
I had buyers remorse for a while since I let people talk me out of the spun gold color I wanted for a white gown, but you have to remember that many people won’t remember (or care) what your dress looked like so long as they enjoy themselves and you are happy at your wedding. Plus, the extra $2700 you saved could be used towards investing in your future or towards something else in your wedding.
If you can afford it, than $3300 for *one* dress that you’ll probably only wear *once* doesn’t seem like a waste of money, but I think if I had spent that much on my dress, I would feel more remorseful about it for much longer.
You look gorgeous!
I totally feel for you. I tried on a dress early on that i couldn’t afford (the bridal salon salesperson brought me a bunch out of my price range- grrrr) and fell in love with it. It took a little time, but I got over that first one.
I love the second dress on you. love the pleats, love the way it falls. It’s beautiful!
I know exactly how you feel- I did the samt thing! I can’t wait to see how you handled the problem..
The dress you purchased is gorgeous, and I agree that it seems to flatter you better than the first. I was at a wedding two weeks ago, and the bride wore the exact dress you purchased- and many people commented about how different and great it was. The dress photographed well, and is different enough without being too different.
I spent about $700 on a dress that I like a whole lot and looks awesome on. There were other dresses I fell in love with, but I have no regrets about not spending $2000+ on a dress.
You made the right choice. Now throw away/shred/burn the first picture and don’t ever think about that dress again. 
You definitely made the right choice! I think that the gown you bought is very beautiful on you.
I have to say I like the first dress but I totally agree with Sara - it’s such special occasion and it doesn’t matter what you wear - everyone will enjoy the big day regardless of whether you’re wearing a mermaid or an A-line.
I just started shopping to look for ideas for my dress - with no intention to purchase “the one” - my mother is a seamstress and we were planning to make my dress. The first 12 dresses I tried on all had something about them and I didn’t believe the idea of finding that perfect dress. Then I tried on my dress. The one. And way of of my price range….
But my maid of honor had the chills and it really was the dress I didn’t know I had in my head. Everyone in the salon was beaming at me. Luckily my parents had decided to help me and purchased the dress for me. Although now I’m feeling “gift remorse” as my parents really couldn’t afford it right now. My father assured me that if I’m happy he doesn’t care.
It was worth it. My wedding isn’t for more than a year and I know I’m going to struggle with accepting such an expensive dress and thinking about other places that money could have gone. This dress does mean I have to get creative and can’t go crazy in other areas and I look at that as a fun challenge.
Then I remind myself that I only plan to do this once and it all going to be part of incredible memories and that’s the most important part. I
Not the cost or what I wore.
I think #2 was the right choice on many levels!! Its so elegant and striking, and makes you look tall and lean. I like #1 as well, but seems like there is too much going on… not to mention, the $600 price tag is an absolute STEAL!
All money aside you are MUCH better off with the 2nd dress. 1) It is PERFECT on your body and you are lucky to have that lovely shape
2) The first would demand many and arduous alterations = stress (ok, and money).
3) You will be SO much more comfortable in the 2nd dress.
Ok and as far as $ goes the 2nd dress looks WAY more expensive than it really was/is. Hooray for a fabulous deal, looking wonderful and now, no more remorse!
I love the 2nd dress on you. Who makes it???
I feel you Miss Petunia… I like my Dress it’s beautiful, but I LOVED my dream dress. I was obsessive to a point of, okay if I win the lottery right now (I don’t even play) I can still order the dress in time…
Buyer’s remorse is totally normal with wedding dresses. I think there is this misconception that everyone instantly loves their dress, and is perfectly content with it. For the most part, I think a lot of brides (including myself) have the same problem as you. I think the second dress looks more expensive on you than the first dress, and you can use the money you saved towards something else that you might need.
Petites DO look taller in something not so wide.
I understand! I tried on my dream dress - but it came with a price tag of about $5000ish, before alterations, etc. I went home all sad and mopey, tried on some other stuff that “would do just lovely”, but couldn’t get over that one dress…..
…So I called the boutique and offered to buy the floor sample, which just happened to be my size and needed no alterations other than a hem and a zipper fix. And so I got my dress for a *huge* discount and I’m a happy girl! The boutique was spotless and very classy, so the floor sample was in perfect condition except for some zipper issues which are completely gone now. I was also lucky in that it was a slightly older design and although it wasn’t technically ready for the Sample Sale, they didn’t mind parting with it since they knew I loved it. I went back and got all the BM dresses at the same place.
So for your dress - if it’s meant to be, it’ll be somehow - I believe in wedding miracles! ;p
(I’ll be wearing Ines Di Santo’s “Ava” one month from tomorrow! EEE!)
Honestly? I think you look better in the first dress. Although the second one has a more elegant, traditional style, the first is vibrant and just…..vavoom! The way it falls on your body looks great on you! Of course I’m only basing this on one picture of each dress, but to me, the first dress just looks more special (and photographs better).
Have you tried contacting bridal salons who carry your dress to see if they have a sample/floor gown they can sell you? Or even googling the dress to see if there are any knockoffs? Another option is to go to the largest bridal salon in your area with the picture of this dress and ask them if they have anything similar. Good luck!
same thing happened to me and, after much hemming & hawing, i ended up buying my $3k dream dress. can you find it cheaper at any of the online stores like pearl’s place, etc? or even buying it used from another bride? i managed to sell my dress for almost half the cost to another bride who fell in love with it too but not the price tag. i was able to enjoy my dress for the day and recoup my costs. i’m still stuck with the 1st $400 dress i bought but i will probably donate it. good luck!!
i totally feel you! my dream dress was a lot like your dream dress too… dropped waist, then ballooned skirt. it had that sexy yet, elegant feel to it. but alas, my dream dress was 6k. so it was completely out of the question. i like the dress that i ended up purchasing a lot, but it’s a completely different style and no, i don’t absolutely LOOOVE it. but, it was $819 off of pearl’s place and it’s beautiful. i’m with you though… now i’m toying with the idea of wearing a 2nd dress just to get the dropped waist effect. i’m okay with the whole situation. and i think that’s what you need to be. if every time you look at the pictures and grumble instead of smile… you best keep looking. but if you can accept your choices and embrace your new dress and be happy, then that’s great and just stick with it.
Angie: the dress I bought is by Alfred Angelo…I believe the style is #1640.
Melanie: I’m about 5′7″, 5′8″, so perhaps that first dress makes me look short…good point!
Thank you all for the comments and support!
Do stay tuned…the dress story doesn’t end here! =)
Well I really like the look of both of them so I am sure whatever you decide is great.
I agree with a lot of the posters — the second dress is much more flattering and interesting to look at. And even if the first dress seems more glamorous to you, perhaps because of the setting in which you bought it, I’m not sure if that feeling is worth several mortgage payments. But only you can decide what’s right for you.
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Mrs. Petunia, Ft. Lauderdale Age and Occupation: 31, College Professor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Engineering Student/Part-time Barista Engagement Date: December 8, 2006 Wedding Date: March 2, 2008 Venue: Riverside Hotel Blogging Since: August 6, 2007 About Me: Our original idea of running off to get married quickly turned into an event with 100+ guests once other people got involved and I, too, got swept away in the lovely madness that is wedding planning. Mr. Petunia and I are obsessed with all things World of Warcraft, Monopoly, and Nintendo, so we’re planning on including some fun “game-y” details into our wedding.
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