Wedding Blog
After the Running of the Brides, my girls and I drove about an hour to a bridal salon that carried the Jim Hjelm gown I’ve been eyeing since getting engaged. I was disappointed with my luck at the ROTBs, so I was hoping to lift my spirits by trying on a dress that was really my style. I decided before we got there that if it looked good on me, I would do anything necessary to get it. I already had a gown in my possession that I could sell to offset the cost, but I was contemplating selling one of my kidneys on the black market after trying on this baby…
Mr. Lab take note: If you happen upon this post and read any further, I WILL go Lorena Bobbit on you!
*Note* No fake ta-tas! Just an amazing new Victoria’s Secret bra coupled with a bit of weight gain. Just felt like I needed to clarify!
This dress has EVERYTHING I wanted. Trumpet style, V-neck, lace (with details in all the right places), a low back, and even a dainty, pretty little ribbon. It made me feel fabulous and reeks of the “romantic Southern charm” we’re going for with our theme. It even makes me look slim, so the pressure won’t be as high, come time for wedding fitness! It’s a Jim Hjelm style JH8800 that was $4000 at the place I tried it on at. But as soon as I got home, I immediately began researching the web and found it for $750 shipped on eBay! The gown I order will actually be an “inspired by Jim Hjelm” gown, but the makers sent me samples of their work and I can’t tell the difference at all! I’m so not above a knock off, especially if it’s saving me $3250! Besides, it’s not the label I love about the dress, it’s the way it looks on me and the way it makes me feel. It’ll be custom made to my measurements, and I can even request changes here or there (I’m going for a slightly lower back). I cannot wait to get it!
The back! Please excuse all the clips in the back.
The back with a trial veil. Mr. Lab, who is very traditional, wants me to have a veil. I guess I have to try some on, even though I’m not sold on the idea.
Hopefully I’ll look more like this in my dress once I’m back in shape and my gown arrives in my size. Even the “girls” will probably look more like this after I shed my “winter weight”. 
What do you think? Are you against designer “knock offs”?
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Share this post: My DREAM Wedding Dress!
You look amazing!! And yes, it’s about the dress, not the label!!! So if you found THE dress for way less than the name brand, I say HECK YES!!!
Miss Lab you look stunning. I have my heart set on the Melissa Sweet Cosimma, boasting a $4000.00 price tag. Like you, a designer knock off is no faux pas in my book!
Congrats on finding THE dress!
OH MY GOODNESS IT IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! You look incredible in it and paired with the lower back - wow. Honestly, if you are loving the dress and the way it makes you feel (and, ahem, is saving you THOUSANDS of dollars) then heck yes go for it! Im not against the knock offs at all…who cares?!
Wow. That dress is beautiful…the lace detail totally makes the dress! It looks so great on you! I have to be honest…before I saw your ta-tas note, I was thinking to myself “damn, how much for those things and where can I get some?!” 
No, I’m not above a knock-off, but it makes me sad that some knock-offs are products of children working in sweat shops (purses, stuff like that).
Ahh! My dream dress too! I’ve been eying it since I got engaged… you look GORG!
What a gorgeous dress! Great find, it looks perfect on you and sounds like it fits the criteria you had. And go you for finding a deal
I learned, too, that the name on the tag didn’t mean a thing in the end. I fell in love with a Melissa Sweet, but even as a sample dress it was above my budget. I found a dress I love for $600 and I had never heard of the brand, do not care what it is…my mom crying when I had the dress on was more than enough to make me choose it on the spot!
As long as a knock-off still has quality material and craftmanship, there’s no reason to pay thousands of dollars more for the same dress simply because it bears a designer’s name. I’ll never understand bragging about owning a designer dress simply because it’s a designer dress. You should be bragging about a dress, designer or not, because you think it’s beautiful and it’s THE dress for you!
That’s MY dress too! Congrats!
Be sure to let us all know how the knockoff goes— I might do the same What was the ebay seller?
That is so elegant No one is going to be asking to look at the tag of your dress…I say go with the knock-off
You can just tell from that smile on your face that’s your dress. It is BEAUTIFUL and fits you like a glove. No one on your wedding day is going to ask the designer of your dress - and if they do they’re a***s. If that’s what you look like with winter weight I think I need your fitness plan. If it’s not asking too much what Victoria’s Secret bra is that? it looks awesome!
Ohhh…such a gorgeous dress! If I hadn’t already had my wedding, I would soooo have dress envy!
You look amazing! You think you need to lose weight *pfft*! I love that dress. I have always loved lace wedding dresses and when my day comes I hope I can find something like this.
Go with the knock-off. No one will know the difference. Woo!
Okay. Miss Lab, Stop hacking into my wedding folder! Hahahaa.
You look AWESOME! I love that dress as well but alas do not have the tatas to pull it off. So I’m liking the 8904 with more of a bateau neckline.
If it actually looks good on me I am SO not above a knock off. Please PM me the eBay seller you used!!!
that dress looks amazing on you!!
and everyone knows a cheaper dress means you can splurge on shoes
wow i love that dress! and um, which bra?
Gorrrrrgeous!!!! I tried on that dress too! It’s amazing!
The dress looks stunning on you! With the bra you have on I noticed it’s strapless but do they make it where it’ll dip low enough not to show?
Gorgeous dress and on you it’ll look nothing but designer! You look fantastic.
I have that same bra. It’s dangerous to wear because I find myself looking down a lot more and going “whoa… that’s impressive.”
You look amazing in it. Absolutely a great dress.
Yeah, so…I kinda sorta maybe REALLY want that dress now, too! Gorg!
That dress was made for you! Seriously perfect.
I support knock offs, deals, and savings in every way!
You look fabulous! That dress is gorgeous! I, too, want to know what bra that is… the “girls” look fab, too.
sarah
The dress is beautiful and you look even more beautiful in it! I think that a knockoff is a great way to go– why spend all of that extra money for one day when NO ONE will be able to tell a difference! You might as well save that $3k and use that money somewhere else!
Oh wow, Miss Lab, you look HOT! That’s an awesome dress. I’d looooove a dress like that. I’d have no problem rocking a “knock-off” dress; more power to you for getting it at a reasonable price.
I’ve seen this seller on eBay! I recognized the model and background in the pictures. I hope you give us a full review of the dress quality and ordering process. I’m very interested to see if this knock off is a knock out!
I don’t want to be all “wah wah waaaah” but in the Bridal Bargains book, they warn about buying Ebay dresses from China (that’s where the knockoffs come from). I am crossing every finger and toe that you have a good experience, though; you look absolutely phenom in that dress!
p.s. I’m sure you looked at the seller’s feedback, though, so I bet you will be OK!
Yay! The Jim Hjelm is my dress. It was a total splurge (I was able to negotiate the price down to 3k). I hope you like your knock-off, can’t wait to see it!
ooooh pretty! i love that dress on you. this isn’t like a purse…no one will be able to tell the difference at all. so yay for knock offs!
Heck no I’m not against knockoffs! I’m a full fledged member of the Frada club and wear ORKLEYs. No one can tell my Luis Vitnot (Miss Bruschetta, like the anagram?). I’ll bet you’ll look JUST as gorgeous!! It’s the style not the label that makes the bride! Can’t wait to see styles!
I am totally FOR designer knock offs. Why can’t you have something that you love at your own budget price? No reason. I am having a dress remade myself.
PS Your ta-tas look splendid!
You look Goooooooooorgeous in that gown! Mr Lab will be blown away! Nice job finding a cheap knockoff - I never care about labels either!
WOW that dress looks fabulous on you! I can see why you love it
Totes hot. And I’m all about good quality knock offs; I gotta support my home-grown industry! LOL.
PHENOMENAL dress!! Love love love Jim Hjelm. And labels are usually inflated anyways!!
I think it’s awesome you found a dress for less! I can’t believe the one you tried on was $4,000. I didnt know Jim Hjelm prices were that high. But this dress looks beautiful on you. And if your not a fan of veils maybe you can have the veil tucked in the back of your hair and pull it over when you walk down. But I love the way the lace on the veil matches the gown. Very beautiful look on you. PS Im not a stalker Im just in the beginning stages of my planning like yourself and I like following all the bees who are just now posting their gown pics and engagement pics!!! LOL!
This dress is absolutely stunning and you look fabulous in it! The plunging back is awesome. My favorite part by far!
Miss Lab (or “guest” Nicole),
Which Vicky’s bra? The ladies are clambering to know! I can’t wear it for my wedding because I need to have “church cleavage.” (Thank you, Mrs. Strawberry!) But..it might be nice for the bachelorette party! Btw, Miss LR, the dress is beautiful–very romantic-looking & made for your body. Glad you managed to find it for A LOT less on ebay–I heart ebay!
Girl you are rockin’ that dress! I got married in JH. I think I might have sold a kidney too. He just knows how to make a dress!
You look AMAZING! I fell hard for that dress as well…and for awhile I searched for WHO designed it…and when I did, I saw the price tag…and I was done. I’m so glad that you found one for a great deal! I might give it another shot too!
I’m not against wedding gown knock-offs, simply because you’re wearing it for one day, and nobody will know the difference.
However, when it comes to handbags, I’m a bit of a designer snob. I’m a huge fan of Prada, and every time I see a fake bag or wallet, I want to literally barf. Coach fakes are the worst. Real Coach is pretty affordable in terms of the handbag world to begin with. I would never try to fake anything (bag, shoe, etc) that has a distinctive designer quaility in tow (signature print, color, logo).
Whew, I feel so much better knowing I’m not alone on the whole “inspired by” thing. As some of you mentioned, I would definitely be against it if I knew anything about child sweatshops being involved in the making of the garment.
To answer a few questions some of you had:
Victoria’s Secret Bra is the Body Bare Push Up (note the PUSH UP): http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=CM-234711&page=1&cgname=OSBRPBBVBRA&rfnbr=5706
The Ebay Seller is based out of NY and can be found here: http://myworld.ebay.com/bridal_dress_for_you/ They have 100% feedback plus the guarantee of Ebay policies & Paypal protection, so I’m confident that this will work out. I also have time on my side, so if the dress isn’t perfect to me, I can send it back and find something else before my wedding.
@KellyV: Haha, I told you the dress makes me LOOK slim! I still put on about 10lbs over the winter (I usually eat very clean and workout 4-6 days a week). I know most people look at me like “HUH?” when I say I need to get in shape, but it’s not about losing tons of weight and fitting into a certain size for me. It’s about having lean muscle and looking good in clothes. And not having a chubby face (where I can see weight gain the most!). lol
@Gerbera: I can’t help it! We just have to come to terms with the fact that we are clearly twins separated at birth! 
@Hayley: HAHA! EXACTLY!!!!
@Miss E from NYC: It’s actually not strapless. It’s my new “everyday” bra. I had already changed back from my ROTBs undergarments when we decided to go to the bridal salon, so I had this bra on and had to ignore it showing in the back.
@phruphru: This one is from NY (at least that’s what their Ebay says) so I hope I’m in the clear?…
@september wedding: That’s the reason why I love it too! People see your back during the whole ceremony, so I wanted it to be AH-MAZ-ING!
@MissAubergine: I just love seeing people toting around the “Foach” that has “G”s instead of “C”s! If you’re going to do fake, at least do your research and find a quality one that LOOKS real. haha
Who cares about the label? I would feel great having the dress that made ME feel special no matter who made it! I say don’t feel guilty and relish the fact that you saved SO much money!
It’ll look great!
It’s beautiful on you! I just wanted to say I love how it looks veil-less. The veil, at least that length with the lace boarder, takes away from the gorgeous gorgeous back.
I will be watching for your update and review of the dress when you receive it. I found this blog entry after seeing a picture of this dress online and falling IN LOVE but not for the price of the real deal!! I will totally buy the ebay knock off if you give it a good review!!
Hello, i as well have fallen for the JH8800 that you are wearing, thou i have fallen for the dress i still have a hard time with the price. i am doing some research of the dress, i am trying to find a vendor that can create an “inspired look” can i ask who your vendor was???
thank you so much!!!!
@Crash: I totally agree! If Mr. Lab really insists on a veil, I’ll have to do an extensive search for the perfect one that compliments the dress.
@Marlene: I’ll definitely let everyone know how my experience goes!
@ittagonzalez: This is the vendor: http://myworld.ebay.com/bridal_dress_for_you/
I am IN LOVE with your dress! It is everything I would want in a dress. And you look lovely in it!
hi,
I just wanted to let you know that i ordered this dress of a seller on ebay and it came in last week and it is perfect. not one trhead out of place on it. im really delighted with it.
@stressybetty: Yay! This makes me VERY happy and confident about buying from Ebay. Thank you so much for sharing!
Miss Labrador, you look absolutely gorgeous!!! I’ve been debating about buying an inspired gown since the only gowns that I have liked so far are jim hjelm & priscella of boston, both WAY out of my budget. Thank you for sharing & also letting us know about the ebay seller! I love all your posts!
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Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah
Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station
About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
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