Gutted - lesson learnt is don't fall in love before you know how much it costs!

Erm.....................at the risk of being a bit harsh surely it doesnt matter WHAT you wear as long as you marry the man of your dreams?

When we got engaged I had all these ideas about my dream dress, once I realised the costs I changed my plans and bought 2nd hand, which saved us both ALOT of money and you know what..... the end result is still the same, I still get to marry Rhys, just not in a stoooopidly expensive dress I will only wear once.

My rule of thumb is - if you cant afford it you cant have it

Sorry if I seem a little harsh

S

Believe me....I know if I can't afford it, I can't have it!! I'm having the smallest, most low key wedding ever (only 2 guests!)! I'm more upset that H2B is being so nice and trying to justify it when I can't!

I don't think you're being harsh at all, I know I can't have it. I'm just annoyed at myself as I thought I'd sorted this bit out! xx

Ah c'mon sara, give the girl a break - she's already said she can't justify the cost! (btw you're in a feisty mood today!!! i like it.... ?)

but i do agree with sara - it's the getting married, not the dress that's important. though i guess it must be really disappointing. but an excuse to go trying on dresses!!!!

Can we see an example of your dress? Maybe we can find one that is cheaper or a similar design....all is not lost.

Its something similar to this, but in Ivory...as you can see, its not exactly elaborate which is why I'm annoyed its so much!

This one is a Bridesmaid dress so think I'm going to go down that route.......

And your budget?

Forgot that bit! no more than £500 including alterations...

Any recommendations welcome!

Oooooo nice dress, yeah get a bm dress in ivory, you'd save yourself a fortune!!!! you'd be spending under 200 bucks n would be a gorg dress.

Though dress making can seem the cheaper alternative you have found out your dressmaker is charging more than you anticipated and thats a shame. You thought ud go down that route to save money - like many brides do, and get your dream dress at a much lower price. Sorry you've had your heart broken by that....but def go down the BM dress look as you'll be able to get those in any colour

Oh Bec, it sounds a bit like my flower quote today - way more than I told h2b it would be!! I guess I have expensive tastes.

Your h2b sounds really sweet offering for you to have it anyway. Mine nearly fell off his chair when I told him how much the flowers would be!

The florist I have chosen is lovely though and with her great advice I have managed to get away with different and less roses here and there to cut the amount down by loads.

I cant do it right now, but later this evening, I will use my google powers to help you find a lovely dress.

Will anything here https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10001_81649_-1

or here http://www.monsoon.co.uk/icat/bridaldresses&bklist=icat,4,shop,bridal,bridaldresses

do?

Im sure others here will have a more fab suggestion.

Have you thought of looking on the high street? Debenhams and monsoon amongst others have some gorgeous dresses at the £200 mark, some are even cheaper! You could check out their websites maybe? ?

Ha ha box of bald kittens! you beat me to it! you can obviously tupe faster than me lol! ?

Marks and Spencer, Debehams and BHS have a good wedding range too

I'd looked at High street originally, as Littlewoods had some lovely dresses.....think I need to spend some time googling tonight to try to get motivated again!

Nona - The main reason I'd looked at having it made was with wedding being abroad I didn't want it to be too heavy, and also lady was a family friend so the price was "mates rates!"

I've calmed down a bit now I've put my sensible head back on and thanks to you lot and your fab recommendations! I spoke to H2B, and I just cannot believe for such a simple dress it was so much! H2B taking me out for tea at 7.30 to "take my mind off it" so at least something good has come out of it!

skills ?

That really is a beautiful style of dress. I'm sure you'll find something similar.

A lot of the Dessy or Alfred Sung bridesmaids dresses are made of nice light fabrics. With alterations, they'd definitely come within your budget.

Sucks when you find out you can't have what you want though. I was in tears in the bath for ages when Andy told me the original venue we wanted was twice the price we expected!

Thanks Ladies.....I'm going to pop out to Ikea on our way out for tea and buy my jars / tealights for our reception to get back into weddingy spirit!

Been looking at Bridesmaid dresses since thats where I got my original idea, so think going to go down that route and see what comes up. That way, at least it will still feel weddingy with fittings and the like! I know it sounds selfish, but since my wedding is so low key and untraditional, I'd like to feel a bit "bridal" at some point during the planning! lol xx

Thanks for cheering me up! x

Aside from the train, this one is almost identical!

http://www.littlewoods.com/rf/p.do/women/bridalwear/fishtail-wedding-dress?groupId=474683849&Nu=this_product&SNtk=&Np=1&SN=151+4294484384&Ntt=474683849&D=474683849&Ntk=group_search&Dx=mode%2bmatchall&thisprod=474683849&N=151+4294484384&Nty=1&Mis_item_id=15&Mis_item_loc_id=1&product=474683849

Fresh from Bluewater chastising me ? I have gone back to being fluffy and come up with an idea......

Why not, go to your local college, to the textiles dept or the local fashion college and ask (there's no harm in asking!!) if they have a student who would be willing to make your dress.......as part of their coursework ..... I suggest this as a colleague of mine did this with their local college in Herts, she paid for the materials and there was no labour costs as obv this the student volunteering their time.

Her dress (here comes the naughty bit...) was a similar design to one of the Berketex dresses, with colour added to make it different and lots of personal touches from the student......she apparently sewed a photo of her late nan to the underskirt of the dress!

I know its naughty, but if this is what you want then why not?!?

Hey lovely

I saw some beautiful v. simple ivory dresses simillar to that in a BHS catalogue this weekend, I will have a google now for you

x

Https://www.bhs.com/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/653118/91594

how's that?

I agree with everyone that you will def get something in a similar style within your budget. I cant say 100% if these all come in ivory, but I'd imagine there is a good chance they do, here are some bridesmaid dresses, the first is Dessy and the other 3 are True Bride. You should have a look on their wesites and see if there is anything you like.

Have you been to any bridal shops? You could get a dress that isn't big and you may be able to pick up an ex- sample dress or get a wedding dress for under £500, there are loads of dresses for that, especially if your looking for something a bit lighter etc to take abroad.

Dont let it get you down, you'll find something. I hope your feeling a bit better after being out for Dinner ?

Have you thought about using a chinese seller to make it? I've seen very similar styles and beading on dresses that have been made by Landybridal and Millybridal and they will be a fraction of the cost. They will also be able to make it to your exact measurements and I know that at least Millybridal will send you regular email updates with pictures etc.

I'm having my dress and my two flowergirl dresses made by Millybridal for a total of £390 including postage and my dress has a complete lace overlay with crystals and beading on it.

Hey, I'm back....thanks for all your suggestions - will have to check them all out in the morning as I'm knackered so off for an early night xx

Thanks again x

Nice one kelly, That looks just like it.

Us hitchers always pull through with great results!!

Bec - who is the designer and what is the dress you loves name. Just remember that if you are shopping in a big city the cost could be hundreds more than a shop out in the stix (where I am hee hee)

Let us know its details and I'm sure some of us can phone around to see if we can get you a better price - how much was it???

HTH
Heather HIB

If you like the Littlewoods one, but don't want the train, my BMs are having a similar dress. It's Alice James 3601and it comes in white and ivory (and a whole load of other colours too!). They were £120 + alts.

HTH

Sara x

Hi Heather, I was having it made so no such luck unfortunately!

Sara...off to google that now! x

hi bec i have found some online for you not exactly the same but similar and all dresses can be made in white ivory etc etc the dresses i have shown her range from £90 to £150

MsT to MrsB - I really like that top one! What is it called? Where is it from? How can I get it?

Hi Bec, not sure if this will be any help, but ive found this website through ebay, the shop makes the dresses and the prices are fantastic, i have ordered my bridesmaid dress from tehre and they are £60 each!! bargain i thought. Anyway, they also have a colour chart on there so you could have the ivory style. ohh and they deliver for £15

https://www.ebay.co.uk/Sweetsend-Factory-Shop/Victoria-Rose.html

Hi there

have you tried alfred angelo, the dresses are v pretty and cheaper than a lot of designers

What about this one: http://www.alfredangelounitedkingdom.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=27fa3ab6-07da-4a25-86ac-9f988f9db2f8&categoryID=0fb8d3ca-5030-43bb-9e1b-90ffb001ae14&pg=0 (it's only got one bell for pricing which means its one of their most reasonable dresses)

and this: http://www.alfredangelounitedkingdom.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=094963b8-b5fc-4d16-b636-69be8c9ea059&categoryID=0fb8d3ca-5030-43bb-9e1b-90ffb001ae14&pg=0

http://www.alfredangelounitedkingdom.com/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=9f09a4c0-2939-4eaf-9046-b3068c214d16&categoryID=0fb8d3ca-5030-43bb-9e1b-90ffb001ae14&pg=0

hope that helps xx