Post all "Knock Off Wedding Dress" questions/comments here

[emilyk78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prettypigpig Ok ladies, I just got my dress last night, and took some pics with the tripod today..after work while FI was away. The album on photobucket.. the dress pictures by prettypigpig - Photobucket

Beautiful dress! And so unique!!

[Eden]

Hello, everyone.. Thank you for posting your experiences with Gianinar! I was skeptical about them after I read so many bad reviews about Weddingo, Peridress, and such, but I'm happy to see that Gianinar is the real thing.

 

Anyway, are there any other eBay sellers that are trusted and inexpensive? I saw a couple people mention Cloudshow, and say that apparently they're a bit quicker. When I order my dress (I have well over a year before my wedding, so it'll be awhile), I'll only have a drawing for reference, so I'm still a little worried.

[prettypigpig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eden Hello, everyone.. Thank you for posting your experiences with Gianinar! I was skeptical about them after I read so many bad reviews about Weddingo, Peridress, and such, but I'm happy to see that Gianinar is the real thing. Anyway, are there any other eBay sellers that are trusted and inexpensive? I saw a couple people mention Cloudshow, and say that apparently they're a bit quicker. When I order my dress (I have well over a year before my wedding, so it'll be awhile), I'll only have a drawing for reference, so I'm still a little worried.

I had a drawing, plus some pics to show the details that I want to the dressmaker. If you wanna work with ur own vision, you need to be very clear and precise, otherwise ...they may not come up with smth you like/want.

[Eden]

Okay, thank you. I have a few photos, and I'll try to find someone to draw a more detailed picture before I order.

Your dress came out looking beautiful, by the way!

[RunningBride24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danyelle You ladies have successfully convinced me to get a dress made from a vendor in China. Your dresses all look SO freaking beautiful!! I have a small budget and want something beautiful. My only option here would be a davids bridal dress, and while some of them are very pretty, I can get a more detailed/beautiful dress for the same cost. Did you ladies go shopping and try on the styles you wanted before ordering the lookalike? Yes! Definitely go shopping and determine what style, fit and material you like! Then you can go from there! I don't think you'll be disappointed. I am going to have to, I don't know what styles will look good on my body. I may be falling in love online with a dress that wont look right on me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mkandola Ethics Smethics!! If you are buying a dress from a regular retailer, chances are that it is made in China anyway! Why do you think it takes 3-6 months to have it shipped in? I think people are being naive if they think that they are paying more for a dress to be 'creatively designed and sewn by a well-paid seamstress in the USA or Canada' The wedding industry is a lucrative business and supplies outsource their labour all the time to make the most bang for their buck! So, in my opinion ... if you can get a 'knock off' dress that you like online ... DO IT! My girlfriend actually ended up ordering a Maggie Sottero from a retailer in China or Hong Kong. The dress was regularly $1800 CND and she got it for about $200 (alterations included) ... that is bargain shopping!

I'm TOTALLY with you! When I first started reading this thread I was heated over this debate. It's how any business works. I say if we can get it for cheaper WHY NOT Totally with you!

Sooooooo my dress was shipped TODAY!!! I'm so excited!!! I just had them add some silver beading to the straps. For those of you who already received your dress, how did it arrive? I'm worried about it being wrinkled or smashed during the shipping process. What did they ship it in?

[prettypigpig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBride24 I'm TOTALLY with you! When I first started reading this thread I was heated over this debate. It's how any business works. I say if we can get it for cheaper WHY NOT Totally with you! Sooooooo my dress was shipped TODAY!!! I'm so excited!!! I just had them add some silver beading to the straps. For those of you who already received your dress, how did it arrive? I'm worried about it being wrinkled or smashed during the shipping process. What did they ship it in?

Ah...must be so exciting for you! heehee....get your tripod ready for pics in 1 week!
The reason why most of the brides buy their dresses from bridal shops is they can see and touch the actual dress, and usually there is a minimum quality control on their products. Of course, this "reasurance" comes with a price tag of $1000 and up, plus the $500+ alter fees after (because bridal shops only order in standard sizes, and want squeeze more profits out from the brides). Profit margins are usually 70% and up, some items like the veils, the margin is 90% and up. Again, if you already got squeezed out $3000 for a dress, a $300 veil seems marginal.
Ordering a dress online is more risky, and some brides are risk averse when it comes to their dress. Other perception is online dresses look cheap and poor in quality, that again..can be true sometimes, but there are a lot of good quality sellers out there.
I picked this route, after going to all the bridal shops in Montreal, and got discouraged by those old style/ugly/expensive dresses in size 10. Also tried Davids Bridal too, but their materials are really average. Furthermore, 99% of the dresses that I tried on were MADE in CHINA. That is when I started to do my own research and locate those chinese manufacturers and exporters.
My dress was shipped with 2 BM dresses and 1 veil, and not a lot wrinkle at all on the three dresses. If you hang yours straight, it will get straigten over time.

[mimi73]

I love seeing everyones dresses! I can't wait for mine to be done getting altterations!

 

As for shipping, mine came in a teensy envelope, but had surprisingly few wrinkles.

[RunningBride24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prettypigpig Ah...must be so exciting for you! heehee....get your tripod ready for pics in 1 week! The reason why most of the brides buy their dresses from bridal shops is they can see and touch the actual dress, and usually there is a minimum quality control on their products. Of course, this "reasurance" comes with a price tag of $1000 and up, plus the $500+ alter fees after (because bridal shops only order in standard sizes, and want squeeze more profits out from the brides). Profit margins are usually 70% and up, some items like the veils, the margin is 90% and up. Again, if you already got squeezed out $3000 for a dress, a $300 veil seems marginal. Ordering a dress online is more risky, and some brides are risk averse when it comes to their dress. Other perception is online dresses look cheap and poor in quality, that again..can be true sometimes, but there are a lot of good quality sellers out there. I picked this route, after going to all the bridal shops in Montreal, and got discouraged by those old style/ugly/expensive dresses in size 10. Also tried Davids Bridal too, but their materials are really average. Furthermore, 99% of the dresses that I tried on were MADE in CHINA. That is when I started to do my own research and locate those chinese manufacturers and exporters. My dress was shipped with 2 BM dresses and 1 veil, and not a lot wrinkle at all on the three dresses. If you hang yours straight, it will get straigten over time.

Ahh thanks Prettypigpig. You look AMAZING in your dress by the way!!!! :) I'll be sure to post pictures once mine arrives.

[prettypigpig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningBride24 Ahh thanks Prettypigpig. You look AMAZING in your dress by the way!!!! :) I'll be sure to post pictures once mine arrives.

Thx! Can't wait to see your dress!

[Lolita29]

Bonnie thanks for sharing Monica Bridal with me, i have been in contact with them for my BM dresses and so far they are great to deal with, i'm also in talk with them about making me a dress for my AHR and they're offereing to send me an invisable bra. Did they send you one?