Dress Inspiration

Dress Inspiration

June 9th, 2010 @ 3:59 pm by Mrs. Knitting
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The idea of spending money on a wedding dress always stressed me out a bit. Obviously, I want to look as good as possible for the wedding, but the thought of spending money on a dress that I was only going to wear once was not something I was excited about.

My grandmother generously gave me $1000 to find a dress, but I hoped I would be able to find something I loved for $600 (Canadian) max. I realize that spending $600 on a dress is really no small amount, but I was pretty much positive I would never be able to find something I liked for less. I wasn’t even sure I would be able to find something I liked for $600.

Anyway, I started looking at dresses on the Internet back in October to see what kinds of things I wanted for my dress. Here’s a selection of my favourites:

The Carolina Dress by Lea Ann Belter (a Toronto designer!)

This dress is pretty much the ideal for me. Lace, sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves. Sigh…

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I actually think it’s possible that the back is even more gorgeous than the front:

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A few more Lean Ann Belter lovelies:

Beatrix

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Amelia

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A few beauties from David’s Bridal. As Canada doesn’t actually have a David’s Bridal and I will definitely not be crossing any borders to find a dress, these weren’t even actual options, but I still think they’re lovely:

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Katya, by Monique Lhuillier

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Cap sleeves, lace, AND a bow? Amazing. I love Monique Lhuillier and am quite jealous of brides who get to wear her incredible creations.

A selection of my favourite celebrity wedding dresses:

Jenna Bush

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Tricia Nixon

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Grace Kelly. I am completely in love with those sleeves, but also curious how she managed not to overheat…

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Looking at these pictures it becomes pretty clear that I have a type when it comes to wedding dresses. Here’s what I determined my criteria was from looking at these pictures:

Lace! I really really love lace a lot.
Cap sleeves
An interesting back

So now the trick is to find a dress that incorporates all of those details, but is pretty inexpensive. We’ll see how I do…

Anyone have any excellent budget dress hunting tips?

Tags: toronto, wedding-dress |

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33 Responses to “Dress Inspiration”

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Bee

Miss Seashell (message) 1,713 posts, Bumble bee

We have the exact same taste!

6/9/10 @ 4:09 pm (reply)

Guest

marlew

being a Torontonian..even if you don’t buy there..go check out Jealous Bridesmaids in Bloor West Village - super super amazing people working there.

6/9/10 @ 4:10 pm (reply)

Member

MJogan (message) 124 posts, Blushing bee

Are you sure we can’t convince you to hop a boarder to shop? LOL

Two words: Designer Sample.

I went to a non-profit salon that one of the bloggers also recently mentioned called The Bridal Garden. It sells donated designer samples to benefit the Brooklyn Charter School at a FRACTION of the retail price. Yes, many of them need a stitch here or a bead there, but the savings are definitely worth it!

I would check with local salons about sample sales. I worked at a bridal salon- here’s a trick few people try (but frequently works): If you try on a dress in a salon that’s a sample and would fit with alterations- ask if you can purchase their floor sample. I HIGHLY recommend offering a fair price (you can start with 50-60%% of the retail price, but be willing to part with up to 75% IF the sample is in near perfect condition) when you ask, don’t leave it open to them to figure out what they want to charge. A good salon knows that rotating floor samples is important and they may be willing to part with their sample.

Other tips: sometimes a local designer (like your Lea Ann Belter) may be able to make the dress you love in a less expensive fabric or with fewer embellishments. Small bridal salons that work closely with the designer will know what is (and isn’t) possible. If you fall in love with a dress and it’s just a hair over your budget, ask if the designer has a trunk show coming up. Trunk shows are a way designers feature their new line by sending them around to the salons that cary them. During a trunk show, typically all styles by that designer will be 10-25% off.

I hope that helps! It can be such a daunting task!

Best of luck!!

6/9/10 @ 4:17 pm (reply)

Member

Miss Biner (message) 1,101 posts, Bumble bee

Are we twins? Seriously. Your requirements are IDENTICAL to what I’m looking for! I have a scar down my back and I kinda want to show it off…

The second DB dress is a serious contender for me. But I haven’t tried anything on yet as I’m yet to be engaged.

6/9/10 @ 4:17 pm (reply)

Member

Bellum10 (message) 39 posts, Newbee

What about this dress?

http://www.kittychencouture.com/bridal/2008/brier_rose.html

Looks similar to the syle you like!

6/9/10 @ 4:19 pm (reply)

Guest

I wasn’t sure what I originally wanted but then keep finding myself drawn back to a very similar dress to what you like (lace, cap sleeves and interesting back). Honestly, the interesting backed dresses have been my very favorites. I think I’m going to end up getting Allure Couture C155 (http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=525)

6/9/10 @ 4:26 pm (reply)

Member

sapphirebride (message) 1,747 posts, Bumble bee

I think you’re my new Bee ‘twin’–wedding in December, similar taste in wedding rings and dresses, and a determination to not spend a fortune on a dress!

I’m wearing the Maggie Sottero Karena which is much like the dresses above except with a halter-top. I found it from someone local on the Weddingbee Classifieds–brand new, half price, from a bride who had changed her mind. I strongly suggest checking out the classifieds, Craigslist, preownweddingdresses.com, and OnceWed.

6/9/10 @ 4:29 pm (reply)

Member

supergeek (message) 111 posts, Blushing bee

I <3 the Stephanie James Josephine which is covered in lace but I think it’s over $2,000. Sash & Bustle (on Queen St?) I think carries her line. Also, did you wind up trying the Bride’s Project (Danforth?) It’s all used gowns but the $$$ goes towards cancer research and they start at like $300.

6/9/10 @ 4:29 pm (reply)

Member

jordynrose (message) 6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

Gorgeous inspiration photos. With your winter wedding you could definitely pull off the Grace Kelly sleeves.

6/9/10 @ 4:42 pm (reply)

10.

Member

cecullaton (message) 627 posts, Busy bee

Two words… Windsor Bridal… near Yorkdale mall. It looks a little odd when you go in, but it is MASSIVE and has hundreds upon hundreds of gorgeous gowns, at really reasonable prices I advise taking a look… I spent HOURS there looking throuhg dresses for myself and my best friends, (3 of us getting married within 6 months!!)

6/9/10 @ 4:51 pm (reply)

11.

Member

geniebean (message) 24 posts, Newbee

My trick - find designers you like, sign up for their sales updates, and hit them! I scored an Alfred Angelo for $99 at their clearance sale. It was off-the-rack and will have to be cleaned and altered, but even with that it’s still a fraction of the original cost. Good luck!

6/9/10 @ 4:53 pm (reply)

12.

Member

ginnyc (message) 553 posts, Busy bee

Buy second-hand or a sample! Seriously, there are so many new-with-tags dresses for half price out there!

6/9/10 @ 4:57 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Valhalla (message) 1,425 posts, Bumble bee

Yay for another Canadian Bee!! I got a lace sample dress for $600 from The Bridal Gallery in New Westminster, BC. Here is a link to the dress:

http://www.venusbridal.com/detail.php?did=685

Ways to knock the price down - buy a sample, get a design that is “last year’s model” (no one knows but you!), and check out pre-owned options too. I also hit up some bridal consignment stores and found some beautiful dresses too.

6/9/10 @ 5:34 pm (reply)

14.

Member

alishaneva (message) 2,152 posts, Buzzing bee

You have some of my absolute favorite dresses ever in this post! You must be my dress twin or something - and I’ve got a bit to go until I pick mine … so it’ll be interesting to see what you go with!!

6/9/10 @ 5:42 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. Hamster (message) 4,046 posts, Honey bee

I love your inspiration pictures! It’s a look I could never pull off but admire on other lucky brides Have you checked out sample sales?

6/9/10 @ 5:51 pm (reply)

16.

Member

iheartshoes (message) 6 posts, Newbee

I had the exact views on dress hunting as you did! The thought of spending a lot of money on a dress that I was going to wear once made me nauseous and I certainly didn’t want to spend more than $1000 on a dress.

The best tip I got when dress hunting in Toronto two months ago is a little place called Your White Dress. (http://www.yourwhitedress.com/) It’s a discount bridal store near Yorkdale Mall that carries dresses from previous seasons and EVERY dress is priced at $299! The staff there was great but you have to be open minded about what you’re looking for. All the dresses are sorted by size and you buy off the rack.

I ended up getting my dress (an Alfred Angelo for $650) at Windsor Bridal which is right around the corner from Your White Dress so maybe a trip out there is in order

6/9/10 @ 6:10 pm (reply)

17.

Member

fromcharleston (message) 651 posts, Busy bee

I love your inspiration pictures! I will tell you, less lace = less money. Perhaps a simple dress with a lace bolero? Watters/WToo has pretty affordable dresses and I came across this customizable dressmaker called Rhyme Couture (www.rhymecouture.com). I don’t know of anyone that’s used it and I haven’t found any reviews anywhere but their website, but take a look anyway!

6/9/10 @ 7:11 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Linds

that was exactly my inspiration too!

my dress was “clara” by anne barge - except with an ivory sash instead of the purpley one in the pictures that come up on google.

6/9/10 @ 8:19 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

Julie

I was looking for a lace dress with cap sleeves too. I ended up finding a strapless lace dress that I loved. When it was hemmed, the seamstress used the extra lace from the bottom of my dress to add the cap sleeves. They looked great and she made them removable so I didn’t need to decide whether to use them until the day of. Just another idea so you can keep your options option!

6/9/10 @ 8:32 pm (reply)

20.

Member

ellenmg (message) 16 posts, Newbee

I agree with a lot of the others - go for a sample! I was able to get a lace maggie sottero (brinkley) that I never would have been able to afford otherwise. I love a sale! no one will be the wiser

BTW- love love love your style! very romantic!

6/9/10 @ 8:51 pm (reply)

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