Wedding Dress shops

rider66 · 13-09-2011 04:49PM

I was having a MISERABLE time shopping for a dress. I am short and heavy so only 2 of the first 8 shops I went to even had anything I could try on, even though some of the others told me they had my size before I traveled to them! And even though they could order a size large enough for me (extra cost) it would have to be shortened and fitted (more extra costs)!

So, I ordered my dress online - did a TON of research and read more customer feedback than I thought existed! But I got a gorgeous, custom made gown for 149 euro, including shipping from China! It does not have the built-in undergarments, but it is well made and the vendor was very helpful and corrected the few small problems very quickly. I will be taking it to a local dressmaker to do a little something with the train, but between her charges, the new undergarments, and the original 149 euros - I'm just tickled at how much I saved! I also bought my fancy veil online from eBay for 15 euro!

I will also tell you that they customized my dress design a bit to suit me, changing the sleeves and back a little. This was one of the best things I could have done for myself. I can be much more relaxed on the day since I won't be worried about damaging a 1000+ euro dress!

The Lioness · 14-09-2011 11:38PM

Can anyone who has done a lot of dress shopping let me know if you saw many shorter, tea length dresses and if so, where? I don't want to go out with the dream of one of these dresses in my head if it's going to be impossible to find one. Thanks!

Nead21 · 15-09-2011 10:04AM

Dirty Fabulous Vintage Shop in Dublin have a lot of tea length dresses.

LeeHoffmann · 15-09-2011 10:12AM

Lioness, I haven't done a lot of shopping by any means but I have seen some. They're becoming more fashionable but still not the norm. A good way is to take a look at dress designers to get a feel for their style. Charlotte Balbier has a few new tea length dresses that are gorgeous! See the following:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10150792844795007&set=a.10150792834490007.720794.235774075006&type=1&theater
http://www.weddinggowntown.com/blog/2009/03/20/top-six-wedding-dress-trends-for-20092010/ (half way down the page)
http://thedressmarket.blogspot.com/2010/02/charlotte-balbier-marylin.html

Good luck!

Gatica · 15-09-2011 10:55AM

The Lioness wrote: »

Can anyone who has done a lot of dress shopping let me know if you saw many shorter, tea length dresses and if so, where? I don't want to go out with the dream of one of these dresses in my head if it's going to be impossible to find one. Thanks!

oh, I love those 50's style dresses! I've had a look before at those as well, the "forget me not" collection by Geraldine Tulloch has a short one that looks a bit like the ones LeeHoffmann posted.
I had also seen some on ebay, that made them to order. e.g. http://cgi.ebay.ie/wedding-dress-bridal-gown-short-60s-50s-audrey-hepburn-/270746284698?pt=UK_Wedding_Clothing&hash=item3f09bc729a

Dolbert · 15-09-2011 12:53PM

The Lioness wrote: »

Can anyone who has done a lot of dress shopping let me know if you saw many shorter, tea length dresses and if so, where? I don't want to go out with the dream of one of these dresses in my head if it's going to be impossible to find one. Thanks!

My friend got married in a Vivien of Holloway dress and it looked like it was made for her, she wore a pink petticoat but that would be entirely up to you! I think it cost her €200 for the dress and the petticoat together.

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Petticoats a Plenty are another online shop with some gorgeous dresses, a little more expensive at £350 but still reasonable compared to most bridal shops.

6034073

Gatica · 15-09-2011 03:53PM

I got something similar before off ebay and I must say that the fit around the sweetheart neckline wasn't great as I'm not particularly busty, and it also rode up on the back around the waist. It was the same style, but obviously by a different seamstress, so I guess the fit would vary by who you'd got to make it for you.
The dress on Petticoats a Plenty is same as one I saw off ebay... So lovely. It's a tad more expesive, so do check our their postage charges before you compare prices again.

Dolbert · 15-09-2011 04:20PM

Gatica wrote: »

I got something similar before off ebay and I must say that the fit around the sweetheart neckline wasn't great as I'm not particularly busty, and it also rode up on the back around the waist. It was the same style, but obviously by a different seamstress, so I guess the fit would vary by who you'd got to make it for you.

Vivien of Holloway are a very high quality dressmaker though, I wouldn't liken them to buying from eBay at all, which is a bit of a lottery.

The Lioness · 15-09-2011 09:23PM

Ladies, thanks so much for your help, there are some lovely dresses there! I've renewed hope that I'll find something to suit me. I love that one from Petticoats a Plenty, I'm going to give them a call tomorrow to check out the postage rates (thanks for pointing that out, Gatica)

becs21 · 23-09-2011 08:20PM

Hi Ladies,

I'm new to Boards but loving reading all the posts, lots of places i've never heard of before - have to check some of them out. I was going to a wedding fair tomorrow but my sister saw an ad for a sale at the hotel in blanchardstown shopping centre tomorrow so we're heading to that instead - i'm a size 9 (know i'm a freak in the footwear dept) and the girl running the sale has some bridal shoes in my size also going to check out the dresses but it's my first time - has anyone bought their dress 1st time out or would i be mad even if i'm getting one for a fraction of the normal price???

Gatica · 23-09-2011 08:44PM

of course that's not mad! if you find a dress you love and it's at a bargain price, why miss out?
if you're the kind of person that will continue seeing dresses you like after and may regret it, then don't

btw, there was another girl on another forum that was looking for size 9 shoes... Where did you get yours? I'll see if I cant find it, may be of help to her.

Gatica · 23-09-2011 08:46PM

never mind, just saw that you already posted there :rolleyes:

fuddy1 · 27-09-2011 12:11PM

Havent been dress shopping yet so looking for everyone else's wisdom. getting married november '12 so want something to wear with dress for photos outside so i wont freeze. would love a full length coat to go over the dress but cant really find anything online. Have seen cloaks but would prefer a coat.....anyone seen anything out there?

Gatica · 27-09-2011 12:21PM

Capes is the only thing I've seen too. I saw a lovely long coat online and enquired about the price and it was over 1000 Euro, so was a no go for me.
I'm planning on getting a lovely white shawl.

kateof · 27-09-2011 12:47PM

My friend tried on a beautiful coat and dress in marians galway (theyre closing the galway shop and have a big sale on) I think it was size 12/14 or maybe 10/12. If I remember it was reduced to 750 euro or there abouts. It was fab, but she's getting married in Italy and it was too covered up. Good luck with it.

Gatica · 27-09-2011 03:23PM

Would still be too expensive for the likes of me

kateof · 27-09-2011 08:03PM

See if you like it first, then make them an offer you can afford! they close this friday!

fuddy1 · 28-09-2011 12:00AM

yeah its a bit expensive for me too. thanx tho. am wondering if a coloured coat might be a better bet, easier to find and hopefully cheaper....my mam doesnt like idea of me not wearing anything thats not white/ivory but i think a strong colour might look nice outside in winter time....

kateof · 28-09-2011 12:59AM

I know what you mean, i saw a full length red cape with a hood, (like the scottish widows), they had it in Ivory too. I've no idea of the price, but they looked really cool. good luck with it.

wildrover444 · 03-10-2011 03:35PM

hi just putting this post up for a friend:

Has any used ebridalsuperstore.com to order a wedding dress, or know anyone who has used it and would you recommend it.

Haven’t a clue what else to ask

Betty Draper · 12-10-2011 12:11PM

I am freaking out here.

i am getting married in April and i cant find "the dress"

I am not wearing white (groom is though).

I am looking for tea-length, 50's /60's style in red/blue or polka dots - i really dont care about the colour either halter neck or 3/4 length sleeves

i am not looking to spend a fortune.

i have no problems getting it made, if i could find the style and get to try it on, cos i am not sure if the style will suit me

Dolbert · 12-10-2011 12:37PM

They stock these in Retro in George's St arcade, Dublin so you can try on the style - the ladies there are very helpful.

Betty Draper · 12-10-2011 01:29PM

Dolorous wrote: »

They stock these in Retro in George's St arcade, Dublin so you can try on the style - the ladies there are very helpful.

brilliant - thank you, will be dropping in there this week.

thanks

Betty Draper · 17-10-2011 08:14AM

Thanks All, just to let you know I bought my dress in Retro at the weekend.

Dellighted with myself, just need to hide it now so i dont get bored looking at it

beltzar · 15-02-2012 12:38AM

Hey folks,
Getting my dress made here. http://www.clairegarvey.com/

Clare is very easygoing and friendly. If you're looking for something a little different this is the place to go. She has designed clothes for Sinead O Connor, Mary Coughlan, Enya, Ali Heuston etc.

Her shop is worth a drop in if you're in town. She's in Temple Bar, close to Dame Street.

I'm just worried now how to match up the grooms outfit to "go with" my dress. We are thinking of basing it on Seth Bullocks Sherriffs clothes in DEADWOOD.

Am I crazy!?

thumper10 · 20-02-2012 10:04AM

hey everyone, well going to look at dress for the second time in baldoyle this coming weekend, bringing the 3 Bm to give them a look, but hopig to order the dress, just need to get a bit more on the pricing side of things, before i order it......

for those of you still looking, there's a shop in ballinasloe- Duane Bridal, all i can say is out of the 7 shops i went to, that shop was the most informative, and realistic, explained why a dress would or wouldnt - just thought she was the most honest and worth the trip....

best of luck hunting

Miss Fluff · 22-02-2012 01:28PM

I bought my dress at Marian Gale's shop in Donnybrook - it's absolutely stunning and the service was second to none, would highly recommend her

thumper10 · 23-02-2012 03:55PM

hey,

so i'm near the end of my dress shopping hunting, went to a few places in dublin and then galway (mother and mother inlaw day)

All i can say is if you dont get a good vibe from them and dont have to listen to "oh how beautiful you look" when you try on every dress, then give them a chance....

From visiting about 7 shops, the most informatiive for me was Duane Bridal in Ballinasloe......explained why the dress suited or didnt suit you, and what would suit your shape....if only she had the dress i wanted

I'm going back to Baldoyle Bridal this weekend, to show BM's my choosen dress and then will negotiate with them on price, not expecting to get much off, but did get price of 300 less from another shop so worth mentioning the price difference, fingers crossed

best of luck with the hunting

banshee_bones · 25-02-2012 05:41PM

Been dress shopping myself of late and wouldnt mind sharing my experiences.

Butterfly Bride: Laid back atmosphere, no pushy sale, the lady (owner?) seemed to know her stuff. I didnt find much to my liking but ruled some stuff out! Was the first shop so didnt know what to expect!

Moreland Bridal: Very different experience to that of BFB there are two other B"B trying on at the same time as you so it can be a bit distracting, got to choose 5 dresses but the woman I had was so so lovely and as we ruled out different things by trying on each dress she knew what I was looking for and I probably ended up trying on ten by the end of it

Lovely selection of dresses and a fantatsic sale section. However my BM was with me and is also a B2B and she had a very scatty and disinterested assistant so to echo another posters sentiment it's never so much the store as the assistant you get on the day.

Anabel Rose: Lovely shop, all to yourself for your appointment, the girl who dealt with us was knoweladgeable and friendly and in no way pushy. Five choices and I found a "top three" and I think the ONE could be one of them so will probably be going back for a second visit.

DeStafford: Decent enough selction to choose from. I ended up icking out stuff I wouldnt normally have and it was fun, also because I had a great assistant, very friendly and very engaging with me and knew what I was looking for, gave honest advice and worked within my budget. Gave me a brilliant quote for a contender for the ONE I felt I had found earlier. Kathy herself was in the shop at the time and was also friendly to deal with.

Beffy · 04-04-2012 03:31PM

I must have tried 40 dresses on at this stage. Unfortunetly being tall etc a lot of styles suit me. I can't pick one. I keep getting told i'll know, or I won't want to take it off etc :rolleyes: i'm not enjoying the dress hunting process, anyways here are a few of the shops i've been to...

Ivory rose bridal - Cork - Very helpful, prices are very reasonable. Will be going back to try some dresses on again.

Say I do - Cork - Very professional, little bit stuffy. Friendly though.

DeStaffords - Howth - Very friendly, patient.

Baldoyle bridal outlet - Not a good experience at all. The woman was very abrupt. Dresses weren't great. Also the BM dresses were all very debs like.

The Courtyard - Kinsealy, Swords - Extremely friendly. Probably the best so far. The assistant was actively picking dresses she thought would suit me rather than just letting me pick ones. Very laid back etc.

Wedding Dress shops

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