allina Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 My SO and I got engaged last June. While I am absolutely thrilled to marry him I haven't played the role of bride to be much. There was drama with his family, we haven't been able to find a venue, I was put off by how expensive everything is, the whole thing just made me want to elope. Since elopement isn't going to happen I have vowed to have a better attitude about the whole thing. I'm going to become the bride that everyone expects me to be and I'm going to enjoy this. I picked up a couple bridal magazines, I made a few appointments to see some venues and I emailed his mom about our progress so that she doesn't feel so left out. So LSers, share your wedding wisdom, advice, dos and don'ts. If the wedding is in September when should I go dress shopping? Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 So LSers, share your wedding wisdom, advice, dos and don'ts. don't spend too much cause most likely the marriage won't last ...actually i'm not joking If the wedding is in September when should I go dress shopping? now Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 don't spend too much cause most likely the marriage won't last ...actually i'm not joking now :rolleyes: I'm still going to stick to a small budget. My parents are paying for a lot of the wedding, and his parents are pitching in so I would feel bad spending too much of the parent's money. I don't understand why I would dress shop 6-8 months before the wedding, this has always confused me. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 If the wedding is in September when should I go dress shopping? November 2009. No seriously, go NOW. Any sooner and it gets dangerous. For example, 6 months is reeeeeeally pushing it, unless you can find a common designer and won't need any modifications or serious alterations. I'll PM you a place. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I don't understand why I would dress shop 6-8 months before the wedding, this has always confused me. Because once you find the right dress (about a month), it usually takes at least 4 months to have the dress made. Then you need to add in 2-4 weeks for fittings and alterations. Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 November 2009. No seriously, go NOW. Any sooner and it gets dangerous. For example, 6 months is reeeeeeally pushing it, unless you can find a common designer and won't need any modifications or serious alterations. I'll PM you a place. Oh so I really should do this soon I was planning on going like 3-4 months in advance, ordering the dress then having it taken in at the waist which seems easy (I'm expecting to have to get the dress looser in the waist so that it fits my boobs then having it taken in). I'm not expecting to need any other modifications Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Because once you find the right dress (about a month), it usually takes at least 4 months to have the dress made. Then you need to add in 2-4 weeks for fittings and alterations. Yep, sometimes it takes more than a month if you can't find the right dress! (like me!!!) I will saw that some chain stores (like Davids bridal) can make dresses within a few months but as SG said you need to leave some time for alterations. Also, if you buy off the rack you can just take it with you however they usually only have larger sizes available. I'm not too fond of buying off the rack (although you can save a ton of money!) as I would feel weird wearing a wedding dress that tons and tons of brides have tried on. That's just me though! They said mine will take 6 months to make! But yeah Allina, get going on the wedding stuff! It's stressful but fun!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Oh so I really should do this soon I was planning on going like 3-4 months in advance, ordering the dress then having it taken in at the waist which seems easy (I'm expecting to have to get the dress looser in the waist so that it fits my boobs then having it taken in). I'm not expecting to need any other modifications Well, you might not want to bank on that though. Certain designers have different size charts. You may have to have it altered in a lot of different places depending on who makes the dress. Also if you chose a strapless dress it will probably need to be altered in order for it not to fall down. If you get a dress with straps or a halter topped one, they almost ALWAYS have to be altered because they come standard length regardless of the size of the dress. If there is one thing you don't want to leave to chance it's the dress!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Oh so I really should do this soon I was planning on going like 3-4 months in advance, ordering the dress then having it taken in at the waist which seems easy (I'm expecting to have to get the dress looser in the waist so that it fits my boobs then having it taken in). I'm not expecting to need any other modifications Wedding dress alterations are an entirely different breed from regular 'ole alterations. What seems like a simple waist nip is actually quite a job for the dressmakers/seamstresses. Sheesh, don't you watch "Say Yes to the Dress"?!?!? Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 jesus christ we have to get you a wedding planner allina Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Oh btw Allina. Be prepared to be flexible with dates because venues book up fast!!! I bet most venues are booked solid for Saturdays in 2010. Our's is!!! Have it on a Friday or Sunday if you can because those dates will be available. Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 Yep, sometimes it takes more than a month if you can't find the right dress! (like me!!!) I will saw that some chain stores (like Davids bridal) can make dresses within a few months but as SG said you need to leave some time for alterations. Also, if you buy off the rack you can just take it with you however they usually only have larger sizes available. I'm not too fond of buying off the rack (although you can save a ton of money!) as I would feel weird wearing a wedding dress that tons and tons of brides have tried on. That's just me though! They said mine will take 6 months to make! But yeah Allina, get going on the wedding stuff! It's stressful but fun!!! According to SG I have to at least go to Alfred Angelo, so I went to their website and they have a million dresses, I'm sure I can just go there and pick one. I don't want a dress that has been tried on by a ton of people either. I just figured you order it and they ship in, like Nordstrom does, then when it arrives they alter it. Well, you might not want to bank on that though. Certain designers have different size charts. You may have to have it altered in a lot of different places depending on who makes the dress. Also if you chose a strapless dress it will probably need to be altered in order for it not to fall down. If you get a dress with straps or a halter topped one, they almost ALWAYS have to be altered because they come standard length regardless of the size of the dress. If there is one thing you don't want to leave to chance it's the dress!!! Oh ok, got it. I'm definitely getting a strapless dress.... I think Wedding dress alterations are an entirely different breed from regular 'ole alterations. What seems like a simple waist nip is actually quite a job for the dressmakers/seamstresses. Sheesh, don't you watch "Say Yes to the Dress"?!?!? :lmao: I do! And I've seen women be like "omg! I need it in a month!" And it's always worked out. jesus christ we have to get you a wedding planner allina I found two beautiful wineries that required hiring a specific wedding planner. Both wedding planners were psycho and completely obnoxious. One kept hounding me for months after I told her I didn't want to work with her Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 Oh btw Allina. Be prepared to be flexible with dates because venues book up fast!!! I bet most venues are booked solid for Saturdays in 2010. Our's is!!! Have it on a Friday or Sunday if you can because those dates will be available. Oh yeah, that would suck. That's probably what will happen, I'll finally find the place and it will be totally booked Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I just figured you order it and they ship in, like Nordstrom does, then when it arrives they alter it. Well, no. Nordstrom already has all the dresses in the sizes at a big wearhouse somewhere. With wedding dresses, they don't exist yet...they have to make it according to your measurements. There's only like 1 of each style at each store. With your figure, you'll likely be trying on sample dresses that are at least 4 sizes bigger than you. You'll get a good idea of the dress, but it would be exactly the same. It becomes exactly the same only once you alter it. I know a wedding planner who will do it for anywhere from $500-5000, depending on what you need. Lemme know if you want her contact info. Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 According to SG I have to at least go to Alfred Angelo, so I went to their website and they have a million dresses, I'm sure I can just go there and pick one. Go to Alred Angelo, they do have some nice dresses. They are PUSHY there though, they hounded me everytime I went in there to buy a dress. I have found that they are less pushy at independent stores then at chains. It makes for a more enjoyable shopping experience. :lmao: I do! And I've seen women be like "omg! I need it in a month!" And it's always worked out. Well, that's tv. I'm sure they leave out important details such as rush costs and all. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Go to Alred Angelo, they do have some nice dresses. They are PUSHY there though, they hounded me everytime I went in there to buy a dress. I have found that they are less pushy at independent stores then at chains. It makes for a more enjoyable shopping experience. This is true too. BF's brother's fiance went there, and while she loved the dresses, she was so turned off by how pushy they were, she wound up taking a picture of it to the place I PM'd you about to have it made (that, and she could tweak it more). Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 I don't think I want to work with a wedding planner. High pressure sales people will annoy me I think I'm going to schedule a dress appointment soon Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 allina, YES, get moving!! If you want to save some money, you can save it by getting your dress made, rather than ordering. But most importantly, venue first, including where you`re going to get married, whether mosque, temple, church, etc. Availability of venue and place you`re getting married, matter the most and are the worst, for booking. Then worry about caterers, photographers, bands or dj, clothing for everyone, especially yourself, invitations, after. The last things, should be cake, flowers, limo rentals, hair and cosmetic appointments, guest books, gifts, and all the frou-frou items, last. You`re pushing it for time allina. Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Ok, so I'm seeing two places on Saturday, I feel pretty hopeful. Once we book a venue I'll get right on the dress stuff Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 I saw a venue today that I loved! :love: This could be it! Also, my SO is serious and excited about the cake. We decided that cake is his project Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 If you love it, don't delay allina, just sign on the dotted line, as long as it's within budget. Venues can be snapped up in a hurry! That's cute about your fiance interested in cake. Great idea to put him in charge of it. Where will you hold your ceremony? Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 If you love it, don't delay allina, just sign on the dotted line, as long as it's within budget. Venues can be snapped up in a hurry! That's cute about your fiance interested in cake. Great idea to put him in charge of it. Where will you hold your ceremony? Fiance needs to still see the venue but we're ready to sign once he does. We want a September wedding and there is only one date that might be available, we might have to do an October wedding or take a Sunday date. Things at this venue are pretty full but we can manage something. The price is under budget which I wanted. Fiance has more of a sweet tooth and is excited about an amazing cake so it;s his project. We're seeing two more places tomorrow, but this place might be it! :bunny: Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 We found the place and are ready to plan this! :bunny: Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 We found the place and are ready to plan this! :bunny: Tell me where!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author allina Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Tell me where!! I don't want to post it here, but I will pm it to you once we are under contract and ready to go, don't want to curse it before it's all set :laugh: It will be in September Link to post Share on other sites
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