Hello Everyone, Been "lurking" on this thread for the past few days and have read every single post! Very, very insightful and so informative I tried on 7 dresses in a Bridal store with my bridesmaids a few weeks back, I went in with absolutely NO idea or plan on what style of dress I wanted, I let the Bridal Consultant give me some options and I'd see what style suited my shape and what I felt most amazing in.... I've unfortunately seen so many friends/family/co-workers get completely set on a gown that was completely wrong for them based on what they've seen looking amazing on a 6ft model in a glossy magazine, then being bitterly disappointed when they try it on and it doesnt work. I totally echo what Prettypig has said all through this thread!!!! Anyway, being 5ft 2 and 50kg (110 pounds) i sort of outruled the long, slinky lines.. (even though they are my fave style) and was convinced A-line would be my best shot, Funnily enough the Maggie Sottero - Claudette looked the best, although i had always believed that Ball gown styles would swamp me totally! I also tried on a couture dress that was almost identical, but with much more intricate beading on the bodice.... at $3300, HELL NO! Dresses in Australia are notoriusly expensive :-( I ordered the Claudette (minus the flower sash) on April 11th from www.eweddingdressshops.com for $420 inc shipping. NOW, after reading this glorious thread I'm strongly considering ordering a 2nd Dress, possibly a Allure c162 from Duosheng. heres the Allure Communication through eweddingdressshops has been good, they reply within a few hours (time zone between Australia and China is a bit easier to manage!) My dress is due to arrive at the end of next week, so fingers crossed it's a positive outcome! i may not need the back up afterall! i shall keep you posted on the arrival of the knock off Claudette when it arrives.... havent heard them mentioned on here as yet, so I may be the trial "Guinea Pig".
Hello Ladies! I have read this entire thread over the past few weeks, WOW what a great source of information! I had already ordered my dress (Inspiration is Maggie Sottero's Claudette - see below). from the unmentioned eweddingdressshops.com before finding this glorious thread, but still found the read wonderful. Dress arrived today, but I am at work and wasnt home to sign for it, :-( so Its being redirected to my work tomorrow :-) I ordered on April 12th and it's arrived (technically) May 6. As promised and all tracking numbers etc were correct. Any questions I had were replied to within a a few hours. Dress was $420 AUD inc. Shipping. Much better than the $2900 I was quoted from a Bridal Store here. (The retail dress prices in Australia are ridiculous) You cant buy much for less than $2000. So, $420 to me seemed worth a try! If not, I will definitely try Monica Bridal or Duosheng. I wish I had've found this thread a few days before I'd ordered!!!!!!! FINGERS CROSSED!