Upmarket dress shops

Teach30

Hi everyone, Looking for advice on where best to shop for good quality bride and bridesmaids dress.

Have been looking at the more well known shops and there are literally no dresses I like. I have considered getting a dress made and I still might but would love some advice on some good quality shops so I get an idea of what style would suit me and possibly buy a dress which would be easier. Budget is up to €5000.

Thanks in advance!

Scarinae

One of my friends had her dress made by Kathy de Stafford at De Stafford Bridal on Wicklow Street in Dublin, it was absolutely beautiful. I'm not sure how much it cost but I was so impressed with her dress I would consider it if I was getting married in Ireland.

pullandbang

Have a chat with Adele from Timeless Bridalwear in Trim. She often has end of season designer dresses at incredible prices. http://www.timelessbridalwear.ie/

pooch90

pullandbang wrote: »

Have a chat with Adele from Timeless Bridalwear in Trim. She often has end of season designer dresses at incredible prices. http://www.timelessbridalwear.ie/

Have to agree. I went with a friend here and the two girls were so friendly and honest about what was unflattering on her. Massive selection and some absolute stunners. They regularly throw up new stock on their FB page too. Only downside is that you can't order a dress in different size but once the dress is over sized for you then it can be altered. I've done my own dress shopping and gone with this girl and they really stood out.

For BM dresses, what about the Dessy line? Find the style you like and then their range of colours is massive. Loads of stockists in Ireland but def know your shortlist from the website to see if they have it in stock.

Teach30

pooch90 wrote: »

Have to agree. I went with a friend here and the two girls were so friendly and honest about what was unflattering on her. Massive selection and some absolute stunners. They regularly throw up new stock on their FB page too. Only downside is that you can't order a dress in different size but once the dress is over sized for you then it can be altered. I've done my own dress shopping and gone with this girl and they really stood out.

For BM dresses, what about the Dessy line? Find the style you like and then their range of colours is massive. Loads of stockists in Ireland but def know your shortlist from the website to see if they have it in stock.

Thanks to you and the OP for those recommendations, that bridal shop has some beautiful dresses.

I had a look at the BM shop and I know this won’t suit my bridesmaid. Their probably too debsy and too typical of BM style if you get me - she’s v fussy.

Has anyone ever bought or seen a BM wearing a wedding guest style dress, not full length, arms covered perhaps with a bow or belt... I don’t really know how to describe it. We’re thinking of looking in Brown Thomas - not Ted Baker style more dressy.

LirW

Teach30 wrote: »

Thanks to you and the OP for those recommendations, that bridal shop has some beautiful dresses.

I had a look at the BM shop and I know this won’t suit my bridesmaid. Their probably too debsy and too typical of BM style if you get me - she’s v fussy.

Has anyone ever bought or seen a BM wearing a wedding guest style dress, not full length, arms covered perhaps with a bow or belt... I don’t really know how to describe it. We’re thinking of looking in Brown Thomas - not Ted Baker style more dressy.

Friend of mine was a bridesmaid at a wedding where the girls had custom made dresses that looked nothing like the long flowy typical bridesmaids dress, they were tea length with a lovely peony flower print and short sleeves. They looked absolutely wonderful and I have to say I enjoy seeing bridesmaids dressed like that.

woodchuck

I had a look at the BM shop and I know this won’t suit my bridesmaid. Their probably too debsy and too typical of BM style if you get me - she’s v fussy.

Do you just have one bridesmaid? If she's that fussy, could you just set her a budget and let her go pick her own dress from wherever she wants? There's no reason she has to wear something that is labelled as a bridesmaid dress if you get me.

Teach30

woodchuck wrote: »

Do you just have one bridesmaid? If she's that fussy, could you just set her a budget and let her go pick her own dress from wherever she wants? There's no reason she has to wear something that is labelled as a bridesmaid dress if you get me.

Thanks yes that’s what we will prob do. I have three bridesmaids though so it makes it a little more difficult. The other two girls would have totally different shapes and colouring but I don’t mind if they’re in different dresses I just need to keep the MOH on side!

Any boutiques or band suggestions?

LirW

Have you ever thought about mismatched bridesmaids? Like give them a colour and they can choose whatever they want as long as it fits the colour. That results in the girls picking something that suits their style and shape.
Have a Google, done right it can look really cool.

LirW

LirW wrote: »

Have you ever thought about mismatched bridesmaids? Like give them a colour and they can choose whatever they want as long as it fits the colour. That results in the girls picking something that suits their style and shape.
Have a Google, done right it can look really cool.

My daughter did that last August for her wedding. 3 Bridesmaids were coming from Australia and London so they picked a color and got their own style in that color , worked great !

aquinn

Teach30 wrote: »

Thanks to you and the OP for those recommendations, that bridal shop has some beautiful dresses.

I had a look at the BM shop and I know this won’t suit my bridesmaid. Their probably too debsy and too typical of BM style if you get me - she’s v fussy.

Has anyone ever bought or seen a BM wearing a wedding guest style dress, not full length, arms covered perhaps with a bow or belt... I don’t really know how to describe it. We’re thinking of looking in Brown Thomas - not Ted Baker style more dressy.

Yes, my Sister was my one and only bridesmaid last year so we went to Folkster and picked practically what you described. Skirt, belt and top with sleeves. All done in about 20 minutes on a Monday evening when both tired and the outfit was super. She looked fantastic and more importantly was very comfortable in it.

Teach30

aquinn wrote: »

Yes, my Sister was my one and only bridesmaid last year so we went to Folkster and picked practically what you described. Skirt, belt and top with sleeves. All done in about 20 minutes on a Monday evening when both tired and the outfit was super. She looked fantastic and more importantly was very comfortable in it.

Thanks I’ve shopped in folkster myself and it’s totally my style but I know my sister will think the fabrics aren’t of a good quality etc and it won’t be to her liking. She’s late forties too and to be fair I do think some of the folkster stuff is aimed at a different age group.

Head is melted from it! She just has a very different style and won’t go for cheaper brands etc. Budget isn’t an issue. Think we’ll be looking for a dressmaker ...

SozBbz

I've recently heard of this place, although haven't been. Seems to carry a unique range of bridal designers, rather than the same labels you see lots of places.

https://www.theone.ie/

Not sure what to say about your sister but personally I'd give her the colour scheme you have in mind and ask her to bring you some options.

Teach30

SozBbz wrote: »

I've recently heard of this place, although haven't been. Seems to carry a unique range of bridal designers, rather than the same labels you see lots of places.

https://www.theone.ie/

Not sure what to say about your sister but personally I'd give her the colour scheme you have in mind and ask her to bring you some options.

Thanks a mil for that link, they have some fab stock I’ll definitely try and get to Dublin to have a look.

I wish I had a colour scheme to give her but I don’t! I’d prefer her to get the dress first and go from there as there’s no point in putting her in colours I like as they wouldn’t suit her at all! Pale colours would wash her out as she doesn’t wear tan so I’ll have to let her choose her own.

SozBbz

Teach30 wrote: »

Thanks a mil for that link, they have some fab stock I’ll definitely try and get to Dublin to have a look.

I wish I had a colour scheme to give her but I don’t! I’d prefer her to get the dress first and go from there as there’s no point in putting her in colours I like as they wouldn’t suit her at all! Pale colours would wash her out as she doesn’t wear tan so I’ll have to let her choose her own.

Do you have a colour for flowers or anything?

One wedding I was at did a "soft" black tie theme... the guests wore whatever but the bridal party was gents in tux style suits and the groom in a proper tux, and the bridesmaids all wore different black dresses. the Bride gave them each €200 and they each got what they wanted. One girl added some money and got a really high fashion dress. The four different choices looked really smart when all put together.

The flowers were cream and soft pink. Looked very chic and sophisticated.

On bridal stores, Beau Bridal in Naas is also supposed to be very good. The White Gallery in Newry is brilliant too.

Teach30

SozBbz wrote: »

Do you have a colour for flowers or anything?

One wedding I was at did a "soft" black tie theme... the guests wore whatever but the bridal party was gents in tux style suits and the groom in a proper tux, and the bridesmaids all wore different black dresses. the Bride gave them each €200 and they each got what they wanted. One girl added some money and got a really high fashion dress. The four different choices looked really smart when all put together.

The flowers were cream and soft pink. Looked very chic and sophisticated.

On bridal stores, Beau Bridal in Naas is also supposed to be very good. The White Gallery in Newry is brilliant too.

I have a florist booked alright but not a notion on colours, I assumed the bridesmaid dresses would dictate that!

I actually saw the what your describing a few months ago and thought to myself how ridiculous! I couldn’t understand why the bridal party would wear black and have the groom and his boys in tux and dicky bows in the height of summer - just shows everyone has a different idea as to what’s nice.

Appreciate the ideas though - I’m not into weddings one bit and never take notice of the details, probably why I’m a bit clueless about it all.

SozBbz

Yeah obviously everyones tastes are different, black never would have crossed my mind but when I saw it, I thought it worked the way it was done. I guess the advantage of black is that you don't have different interpretations of what black is, its just the one shade. White is really the only other absolute simple colour, and I've seen that done nicely too, but I totally understand that not all brides would want others in white.

I think you should go onto pintrest for some inspiration. Also, maybe don't worry too much about dresses that are specifically for bridesmaids. Your sister is in her 40's so you're probably better off just taking a trip to Brown Thomas or similar and finding a nice dress that she likes thats age appropriate and not to cutsey as some bridesmaids dresses can be. I'm only in my early 30's and I'm over the look of purpose made bridesmaids dresses, so I can totally imagine not wanting to wear one when over 40! I might be the worst person to advise here though, as I'm not even having bridesmaids. I've 2 best friends who will be getting ready with me, and I'm paying for their hair and make up, but theres no duties throughout the day, they're wearing whatever they want, and theres no top table as such, so they can sit with their own partners for dinner. They'll be my go to girls on the day, but their main job is just to keep me company -nothing formal!

Perhaps your sister isnt choosing right now because she's got too much choice. Really the colour scheme is something you should decide, so maybe once you figure that out, she'll feel more comfortable if she has more clearly defined parameters? I know I'd struggle to know whats right if someone gave me too much choice!

Teach30

SozBbz wrote: »

Yeah obviously everyones tastes are different, black never would have crossed my mind but when I saw it, I thought it worked the way it was done. I guess the advantage of black is that you don't have different interpretations of what black is, its just the one shade. White is really the only other absolute simple colour, and I've seen that done nicely too, but I totally understand that not all brides would want others in white.

I think you should go onto pintrest for some inspiration. Also, maybe don't worry too much about dresses that are specifically for bridesmaids. Your sister is in her 40's so you're probably better off just taking a trip to Brown Thomas or similar and finding a nice dress that she likes thats age appropriate and not to cutsey as some bridesmaids dresses can be. I'm only in my early 30's and I'm over the look of purpose made bridesmaids dresses, so I can totally imagine not wanting to wear one when over 40! I might be the worst person to advise here though, as I'm not even having bridesmaids. I've 2 best friends who will be getting ready with me, and I'm paying for their hair and make up, but theres no duties throughout the day, they're wearing whatever they want, and theres no top table as such, so they can sit with their own partners for dinner. They'll be my go to girls on the day, but their main job is just to keep me company -nothing formal!

Perhaps your sister isnt choosing right now because she's got too much choice. Really the colour scheme is something you should decide, so maybe once you figure that out, she'll feel more comfortable if she has more clearly defined parameters? I know I'd struggle to know whats right if someone gave me too much choice!

Your setup sounds like my absolute dream! I’d have loved that except my fiancé has to have his three besties up beside him!

Thanks a mil for the advice, I’ll send her off in her own time to look as we wouldn’t agree at the best of times. I wouldn’t mind sending her into BTs but at this stage it’s only a/w dresses in so we might have to wait until next year.

I’ll prob narrow the colours down if I have to esp if we are running out of time next year and she still hasn’t something.

Best of luck with your planning, you make it seem easy, I really need to get my head into it a little more..!

SozBbz

Teach30 wrote: »

Your setup sounds like my absolute dream! I’d have loved that except my fiancé has to have his three besties up beside him!

Thanks a mil for the advice, I’ll send her off in her own time to look as we wouldn’t agree at the best of times. I wouldn’t mind sending her into BTs but at this stage it’s only a/w dresses in so we might have to wait until next year.

I’ll prob narrow the colours down if I have to esp if we are running out of time next year and she still hasn’t something.

Best of luck with your planning, you make it seem easy, I really need to get my head into it a little more..!

Ah, not at all, you'll be fine! My biggest bit of advice is just to do what will make yourself and himself happy on the day. Don't be swayed by others opinions into doing things that aren't "you". Don't be afraid to say "im just not doing that".

I always imagined I'd have a fairly normal wedding, but in fact I've probably red lined about 50% of what most people think is mandatory. Things that are gone include
-bridal party
-church
-a day 2 event
-a first dance
-a traditional cake - getting one made of actual cheese from Sheridans as well as some french patisserie brought in at the traditional cake time.
-being walked down the isle - civil ceremony anyway so not much of an isle, but we're going to walk in together. Our two dads are going to sign the register.
-our photographer specialises in documentary style, we're only planning to spend 10/15 mins of formal photos. Some of us, some with each family, and some with both families together. I'm just not doing endless permutations.

I'm just focused on a relaxed, informal vibe with a focus on amazing food, wine and music.

Once I started redlining things I actually felt more relaxed. Your to do list gets shorter straight away! You'll get there, just do what makes you happy and don't worry about other peoples opinions - some people will always have something to say, so you may as well please yourself.