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Oh Lord. More dresses!
In an effort to actually be able to afford to feed the guests at our wedding, I decided to look at some less expensive dresses. I did what any frugal North Carolina bride would do, and I headed to the Burlington Bridal Mart.
On their website, their own directions reference both a Waffle House AND a Hardee’s. ‘Nuff said.
So, now I’ve found two more dresses, in addition to these other designer beauties. This first gown is lovely and amazingly affordable, but I’m not sure it goes with an outdoor wedding and barn reception in the fall. I think it would be awesome for a beach wedding, or even a pretty summer garden wedding. Maybe I should reconsider our date…
Venus Pallas Athena PA9931-PA9963
Source (Check out this gorgeous back!)
The next dress is quite similar to the Vineyard Nora that I loved, but I would want some alterations because the sleeves are kind of broad, especially on my narrow shoulders. It’s $1,000 less than the Nora (but still three times as much as the one-shouldered dress above). It also has the cool keyhole back (like the Nora).
Both dresses are fine. Maybe good, maybe great even! But the open-air dressing room, unpolished saleswomen, and fluorescent lights were kind of stressful for me. Good thing I had Mini Magic (my little sister and MOH) there to help out, take pics, AND try on some heavily discounted bridesmaids’ gowns. (You’ll get to see those after I find my camera cord.)
So between these two and the other three, which one do YOU like best? Did you wear a dress that didn’t exactly “go” with your venue?
HAHAHAHA I love Bridal Mart… also I almost got 2nd dress. It’s so amazing…
I went there two weeks ago with my sister to order her bridesmaids dress! (I live in Philly so we were visiting). It was a crazy place and NOT what we were expecting.
But we embraced the location, ordered her dress and I even purchased a BM dress on clearance that I’m revamping for my rehearsal dress! Over all not a terrible trip-even for a couple of girls from the north hehe 
The second dress is REALLLY pretty! The lace will be very romantic and hug your figure nicely
I’ve heard of Bridal Mart. I kinda wanted to go, but I was too sketched out!
I’m loving the first dress. It’s gorgeous, and the back is fantastic!
I love that they used Hardee’s and Waffle House for direction references….may have just made my day actually.
So glad we finally have a bee from North Carolina! Wish I had heard about this place when looking for my dress. I ended up going with a J Crew dress but love the options!
I love that Venus dress. And it’s cheap? That would be a done deal for me. I actually really like a lot of their dresses - they’re so pretty without being fussy!
@sdrury89: I know, right??? Only in NC!
@Beluga: I think that dress was around 400$…. It was sooooooo pretty. They had just gotten it and I literally took it off the mannequin to try it on!
That reference to Hardee’s just spoke to this Carolina girl’s soul! To be in the south…
But the dresses: love the open back, gorgeous~
My FSIL just tried on a dress like the American Allure at David’s Bridal. I’m not sure of the style number but I’m pretty sure it was around $500.
Awwww, not to burst the Southern gal bubble, but I had a Hardee’s up in PA too!
Also, I just love that first dress. I want to imagine it’s appropriate somehow.
I think the Venus dress could totally work for your dress with that season and venue. Especially if you love it. I think the structured top helps.
both of those dresses are so pretty! and i’ve seen ballroom gowns on beaches–so it’s whatever makes you feel the best that is the right choice!
Aww, Burlington… bless. The dresses are both gorgeous, though!
The Venus is so dreamy! I think you can definitely make it work for your wedding–so long as you’re confident wearing it, nothing else matters!
I LOVE the 2nd one!!! That was one of my top runner ups! 
Oh my gosh the Bridal Mart!!! Miss Magic you are making miss the South and it’s hilarious ways. I went to Elon and basically lived in Burlington for 4 years. What a hoppin’ place I really love that last dress… so beautiful!
I love both gowns but am partial to the American Allure because it resembles my own dress lol. I had a lace/chiffon/keyhole back dress from David’s Bridal because it closely resembled an extravagently expensive designer gown. It also had a style remniscent of the 1920’s which was our theme and the era in which our venue was built.
I am sure you will find the dress of your dreams even if you have to shop at a few more salons
I fell hard for the Jim Hjelm in your last post, but think these are both great dresses, too. I hope you ended up choosing one you loved!
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Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NC Age and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Researcher Engagement Date: December 1, 2009 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Barn at Valhalla About Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
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