Wedding Blog

Many bees have generously shared their wedding dress budgets with us! First up, wedding gowns under $1000 (before alterations).

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Mrs. Cupcake’s Dress

Dress: Casablanca 1860 in Champagne from The Wedding Touch in Frazer, PA
Cost + Alterations: $980 + $200 at The Wedding Touch ($1180)

“This was the first and only dress that made my mom cry and it was the dress that really made me feel like the best version of “me”. I didn’t want a strapless dress and I wanted something with a vintage, classic look to it, and this was without a doubt the dress for me. Part of the initial $980 cost included having the dress custom cut to my height, which was worth it because it saved money and time in alterations — it was the perfect length when it came in and didn’t need to be hemmed. Had it needed a hem, it would have been very expensive to remove and replace all of the beaded lace. Alterations included taking the sides in, making the straps a tad tighter, sewing in cups, and adding a bustle. The style of the dress is: V-neck, A-line gown with beaded dropped waistline, beaded buttons and a chapel length train.”

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Mrs. Cherry Blossom’s Dress

Dress: Allure #8362 from Pearl’s Place
Cost + Alterations: $600 + $385 ($985)

“I purchased this dress from Pearl’s Place. The alterations included hem, waist alterations (my dress had a lot of beading so it took a lot of intricate work to shorten the dress and not damage the original beading and keep the original look), Velcro to attach my bustier, bustles, and about 3 visits for the alterations. Lucy even steam cleaned my dress and veil!

I went multiple times with friends and also with Mr. CB and fell in love a few times… but this was THE dress. When I walked out of the dressing room, Mr. CB said softly, “WOW!” I originally didn’t even want to try it on because it had too much bling on it, but Mr. CB insisted… and he was right, it was perfect.”

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Miss D’orsay’s Dress

Dress: David’s Bridal T9612
Cost + Alterations: $700 + $200 ($900)

Source

“Alterations I will need? Straps shortened, hemmed several inches (detaching/reattaching lace trim at bottom), taking the dress in a few sizes, making the armpit holes armpit “V”s instead of armpit holes (to avoid scratchiness) and a bustle.

When I first started looking for dresses I wanted modern lines with no lace. Instead, I fell in love with an all lace A-line/mermaid hybrid. I went to David’s Bridal to experiment with different shapes and sizes. This was the third dress I tried on and I loved it. I tried several more boutiques, designers, and dresses, but I kept thinking about this one. ”

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Mrs. Flamingo’s Dress

Dress: Bridalane style 355 - Champagne Colored Dress from Bridalane International
Cost + Alterations: $690 + $135 ($825)

“I purchased my dress at Bridalane International, a large manufacturer. Because I went to their warehouse, I got an extremely good price for the dress. The price included: shale, straps, veil, garter, and sash.There was  no detailing on the dress, which allowed me to wear very glamorous jewelry.

Alteration costs included making the dress shorter by creating additional draping (so no cutting was required).

If I were getting married again, I would choose the same exact dress. It was glamorous, comfortable, beautiful, and at night it shimmered. I seriously felt like a princess. I loved my dress so much I wish I could wear it again again and again. (Not bad for a dress I purchased 1.5 years before the wedding!)”

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Miss Stiletto’s Dress

Dress: Allure Couture (style unknown) from Wedding Belles in Barrington, IL
Cost + Alterations: $630 + $445 ($1,075)

“Buying a sample dress was a no-brainer for me - I wanted to walk out with my dress in hand the day that I found it and I wanted to be able to get more dress than my budget allowed for. I was budgeting around $1,000 for the perfect dress, so coming in around $600 was fantastic! I love the softness of the tiers and simplicity of the dress. Alterations needed include shortening the hem, adding a flower detail, adding cups, replacing a zipper and having it professionally cleaned (because it was a sample dress).”

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Miss Gloss’ Dress

Dress: ‘Eudora’ by Melissa Sweet from Boston Filene’s Basement Running of the Brides
Cost + Alterations: $725, alterations to be determined…

“I knew I wanted to buy a ‘gently worn’ dress to get ‘more for my money’ since I could never afford a designer dress on my budget. I’m having quite a few alterations done on the top of the dress since the ladies were trying to come out and play and had it changed from a halter style to straps to make it more comfortable. I loved it because it was relaxed and classic and the tulle makes me want to spin around like a little girl. The style: V-neck, A-line gown with rouched waistline followed by a chapel length train.”

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Mrs. Quiche’s Dress

Dress: Watters WToo Bride; Ivory English Net with Fawn colored grosgrain ribbon
Cost + Alterations: $650 + $40 ($690)

“I ended up buying my dress from a strip mall bridal store. I loved the dress A LOT more than I liked the store. Originally, I didn’t want to spend more than $700 on my dress. This dress was $750, and we talked them down $100 - so the total was $650. Alterations were dirt cheap at $40 (bustle & taken in on the sides)!

It’s hard to admit this, but I actually don’t like most wedding dresses! Gasp! So, I wanted something that was dainty, feminine, flowy and “me” and luckily, I found it in a Watters dress in style Alberta!”

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Mrs. Sea Breeze’s Dress

Dress: Allure Exclusive Bridal P74
Cost + Alterations: $999.99 + $350 ($1349.99)

“When I told the guys I work with that I was going wedding dress shopping and that I refused to pay more than $1000 for a dress, they guffawed and said “yeah right, you’re going to find some dress you love and call your dad who will slap his credit card down for his little girl!”. So I was really smugly satisfied that it came in at one cent less than $1000 - ha, take that, guys!! (Er… taxes and alterations don’t count.)

Going into it, I had no idea how hard it was to find a dress with clean lines and no sparkles or lace but luck was on my side (in the form of Mama SB) because I found it in the first store we went into. This dress is so completely “me” that I wish I could wear it every day.

Alterations were pricey but worth it because instead of just hemming the bottom layer of fabric, each horizontal layer of fabric was actually shortened to maintain the gradation of smaller to larger layers as you go down. I also added a detachable halter strap.”

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Mrs. Plumeria’s Dress

Dress: Custom Made from Jasmine Couture
Cost + Alterations: $700 + $100 custom cutting fee + $100 extra ($900)

“The custom cut was worth it — the dress was made specifically to my measurements (one of which was “apex to apex”… hahaha). I only needed it taken in a teensy bit at the top, a two-point over-bustle put in, and the gown pressed.”

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Miss Joey’s Dress

Dress: Custom Dress from Liza Rietz on Etsy
Cost + Alterations: $266, free alterations

“I was at home working one day and decided to take a break to see what was new on Etsy… and there it was.

I didn’t hesitate. I contacted Liza Rietz and asked her if the material of the dress was dressy enough for a wedding gown, and as soon as she said yes, I was sold. The material is a cotton sateen that is a really pale grey.”

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Miss Powder Puff’s Dress

Dress: Allure Couture #8373 from Becker’s Bridal in Fowler, MI
Cost + Alterations: $900 + $75 ($975)

“This was the second dress I tried on! I kept coming back to it, but I couldn’t quite make up my mind. That is, until one of my bridesmaids said, “That dress is so… you!” Sold!”

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Mrs. Deviled Egg’s Dress

Dress: Mori Lee, Only You Collection from Filene’s Basement Sale
Cost + Alterations: $250 (Retails for approx. $1200) + $60 by Nancy Smith’s Seamstress Shop in Ellwood City, PA ($310)

“I never really had a dream dress. A wedding gown just wasn’t something I cared a ton about and trying on dresses didn’t give me that bridal feeling so many other brides experience. I’m not sure if there was a “the one” dress out there for me - at least if there was one, I sure didn’t find it. However, I did have a lot of fun getting my dress at a Filene’s sale in Washington, D.C. back in August of 2008. The bargain and the experience made me happy enough with the dress and I was OK with how it looked on the day of the wedding. I thought the dress was appropriate for our venue and complemented the overall feel of the wedding. I haven’t received my pro-pictures back yet other than this teaser, so check back for some more pictures of the dress when I start my recap posts.”

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Mrs. Emerald’s Dress

Dress: Unconfirmed, but I think it is Demetrios Platinum DP110 from sample shop, Here Comes the Bride in Addison, IL.
Cost + Alterations: $870 + $180-ish by Mary Catomy in Schiller Park, IL (~$1050)

“When I first started dress shopping, my dress priorities were:

1. V-neck
2. Lace
3. Trumpet cut
4. Ivory
5. Empire waist.

At the very second shop I visited, I managed to find a dress that fit criteria #1 - 4, and it was THE dress (despite the fact that it barely zipped, but I had 10 months to lose a few pounds…). Unfortunately throughout the 10 months I saw sooo many other gorgeous dresses and had some serious cases of dress doubt and dress envy. But in the end, I felt beautiful in my dress and it FIT (thank you, South Beach diet).”

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Mrs. Tulip’s Dress

Dress: Alfred Angelo
Cost + Alterations: $240 (eBay)

“I had a “saved search” on eBay for my original Alfred Angelo. In all these months, exactly ONE showed up — in my size and for only $215! I dithered back and forth based on the fact that I already HAD a dress, and feeling snobbish about the idea of trading in designer Italian silk for mass-market American polyester with a zipper back… But eventually I decided to bite the bullet.

I love the Alfred Angelo dress. I love the way you can just unzip it and step in, and I love that it’s roomy and comfortable on me.”

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Ms. Bunny’s Dress

Dress: Unconfirmed from Wendy’s Bridal
Cost + Alterations: $650

“When I came out of the dressing room, the girls told me I had a HUGE grin on my face. “I will never forget that look,” bridesmaid Honey Bunny said to me later.

The girls knew it was the dress, and to be honest, so did I. I didn’t want to take it off, so we called my mother and my aunt, who were Christmas shopping nearby, to come and see what they thought.

With a $100 coupon provided by the store, the dress was right in my ideal price range. It will need some alterations, but I am absolutely in love with it.

It’s ivory taffeta and will be a little heavy for summer, but I’m just glad I got my dress shopping out of the way so early!”

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Mrs. Pineapple’s Dress

Dress: Unconfirmed from David’s Bridal
Cost + Alterations: $800 + $65 ($865)

This was my favorite from pictures on the web. However, I am not built like the model in the photos and I didn’t want to get my hopes up. It was also the most expensive dress I had planned on trying on, so in the back of my head I was almost hoping I wouldn’t like it on.

Then, once I had it on I loved it! I loved the color, I loved the ruffles! This dress was a size too big which threw me off a bit, but once it was clipped tighter I loved everything about it!

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Ms. Beagle’s Dress

Dress: Mori Lee from Netbide (online bridal store & I highly recommend them)
Cost + Alterations: $770 + $100 ($870)

“This is dress #2 for me and I love, love, love her!!! Sorry, no full length photos just yet! Design: strapless, a-line, ivory lace & tulle.”

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Ms. Mary Jane’s Dress

Dress: Cachet Strapless Tiered Dress
Cost + Alterations: $207, no alterations

“I went from a business-y suit to a light and airy sundress, then switched it up again to another sundress I already own. And then, the help of the wonderful Weddingbee community, I found this beauty. This dress is perfect for my simple courthouse wedding. It’s fancier than the cotton sundresses, and I love the little ruffles! It’s also a comfortable length for me. Love it!“