How Much to Spend on "The" Dress!??

Jenna20 · September 5, 2009

Hi Ladies...So Ive been out dress shopping and stumbled upon a very reasonable dress for under $800. I recently went out shopping again last week and came across Jim Hjelm dresses which are in the price range of $4000-5000+. There is a Pricilla of Boston dress that I believe starts at $3000+ that Ive seen in a mag as well.

Girlfriends of mine have spent $4000+ on dresses in the past....and I do love the dress I did find that is a Jim Hjelm, I just think, seriously...that price seems crazy! Then I also think...well its your wedding dress...??

What I am getting at is how did you ladies justify the cost of your dress and what did you think was feasible to spend?

~Angela~ · September 5, 2009

I have said since I have been looking that I won't spend over $1200 on a dress. I don't know why that particular number. Most things I have been looking at have been in that range. I love, love, love the Jim Hjelm #8800 dress but it is not even available to try on here in Ontario, and the one place that does carry his stuff said they could order it for me for $5500. Ummm....no thanks! Just last night though, I tried on a dress that was $2500 and I loved it! I didn't look at the price till after I had it on. So now of course, I am somewhat torn as well. I think it's somewhat silly to spend soooo much on a dress that you will only wear one once but, like you are thinking, it's your wedding day. I have no solution for you ...but I can tell you that I can absolutely relate to what you're going through!!!

JOSIE · September 5, 2009

I think my dress was around 1,500. That was way more than I was intending....it totally depends on your budget, IMO. If you have the money to spend 5K and the dress looks amazing, by all means, go for it. But in my case, we're trying to keep the wedding itself in the 10K-15K range, so blowing 5K on a dress would be half my budget and I want to save more for wedding stuff! Thats my .02, hope it helps!

jennierin · September 5, 2009

My advice would be to spend what you can afford. If it is within reason to spend 4 grand on the dress of your dreams than go for it!

I set my budget for $1000.00 but ended up spending twice as much as that, knowing full well that I would have to pull in some serious overtime to be able to pay it off when the time came. I did, and it was SOOOO worth it for me.

I don't think that there is anything wrong with spending a small fortune on your wedding dress provided that you won't go into serious debt for something that you will wear for one day (or two if you are having an AHR).

I have watched a bride walk down the aisle in a dress that cost no more than $100.00 and on the other side of the spectrum, been to a wedding where the gown cost over $10,000.00 (and believe me, she could afford it!)... Anyway, I guess what I am trying to say is that if it is within your budget to get the Jim Hjelm that you have fallen in love with...then there is no reason to have to justify spending that money on the dress of your dreams!

LadyTrunck · September 5, 2009

My dress is 1600, Melissa Sweet: Mari. I actually found it online right after I got engaged, and knew it was the one. Since Priscilla of Boston doesn't list prices online (only dollar signs) I knew it was under 2k so that's what I was expecting. I was happy to find it was less! However, I love it so much, I would have probably paid more... like everyone says, it just really depends on your budget! I would also advise to not get your heart set on a dress before you know how much it is, because you run the risk of being disappointed, and potentially spending way more than you can afford!! Best of luck, please post pics when you find it!

islandbride317 · September 5, 2009

I originally bought a David's Bridal dress for $350 on sale...and after much thought and consideration (I'll wear it for my AHR), I got the DRESS OF MY DREAMS a few months later:

Are you aware of designer Maggie Sottero? And her ever more LUXE line, Sottero & Midgley?

Here is a pic of my dress (Sottero & Midgley RSM1038 ), which I love more than I have ever loved ANY article of clothing....and for the low price of $1300.00! Not only is it my dream, but my mother said it was HER perfect vision of what I would wear for my wedding, whether it was in Jamaica or not! I adore it!!!!

It's more glamorous than I ever could gave imagined!

Here is ME in the same dress (the sample was a 6 and I am a 12 so please excuse any misfittings here):

And the DRAMATIC back of the dress which I adore!

And then there's the Maggie hairpiece, which matches the gown EXACTLY!

ALL THIS GLORIOUS-NESS FOR LESS THAN $2000? TOTALLY DO-ABLE!!!!

*Meagan* · September 5, 2009

My budget was $1000 and I stuck to it.. my dress was $949!! but that does not include alterations etc! I think if you find a dress that is un reasonable you can always find a similar dress that is reasonable!

itsfinallyhere · September 5, 2009

I think how much you spend is a person preference and budget consideration. When I originally went out to look I started with a budget of $1000 - $1200. But after seeing what was to be found I was hard pressed to pay more than $500. After much searching. I found me dress, a maggie that was in the stroe for $1285, but I got it online for $200 on sale !!!! I feel really good when i get what i want at a pric I like! So my best advice is don't rush into anything. If you love a dress it will haunt you. You will see it more than once. Do lots of research, after all weddings are big business for a reason.

meghan · September 5, 2009

I'm having my dress made for me because I am so small (5"2 and 94 pounds). I had such a hard time finding size 2's or 0's that could be altered appropriately to fit. Getting one made is a lot more expensive and I'm getting something quite elaborate...it is $4200 but my mom is buying it for me. I don't know if I would spend that much if I was paying for it myself.....Haven't really thought about that. I think though that if you really love a dress, you should get it. Its a once in a lifetime thing.