Am I the only one? (Who thinks wedding gowns are gaudy and mostly ugly?) Bite my tongue!

I don't like them because they are so heavy like 800 lbs of material. I got frustrated at first because they kept bringing me huge heavy dresses. I ended up getting a much lighter one and liked it. What don't you like about them? Specifically?

My DB dress was pretty plain - just a bit of sparkle and no over-the-top flounces, ruffles, layers or anything. I wanted simplicity and to be comfortable! Keep looking - you'll find something.

I never wanted a dress with lots of embellishment, and I was really disheartened when I looked at websites and bridal magazines, where 99% of dresses were just soooo over the top. I am 41, and certainly there are dresses that are just too young for me, but that wasn't the biggest issue - it was more just that *for me*, I just do not like all the stuff stuck on dresses from top to bottom, like Bedazzling gone wild!

My advice: start looking at BRIDESMAID dresses!

Alfred Angelo, for example, offers nearly every one of their BM dresses in white and ivory, and guess what? They are all under $300! Bonus! Some of them are even identical to 'bridal' versions of the same dress, that cost 2x as much, because they're a heavier 'bridal satin' fabric.

My dress is this one in white... http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7166/?pg=0

It has pockets! For $30, I added mesh straps that are almost a cap-sleeve, and though there is a small diamond-shaped cluster of rhinestones that looks a bit like a brooch at the hip, I will remove that and buy a sash with a bigger cluster of rhinestones to tie around the empire waist, for $120.

I strongly encourage you to look at Alfred Angelo's Bridesmaid dresses AND special occasion dresses on their website, where you can change the color of the dress to see how they look in white or ivory. You will be shocked how 'bridal' many of the BM dresses look - and in fact, the associates have told me at AA that many, many women buy a BM dress as a reception dress or for less formal weddings - which is why they offer them all in White, and also b/c after the royal wedding interest in white BM dresses went up.

I tried on several wedding dresses, too, but some of my favs in the BM line (seeing them in person) are:

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/505/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7205/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7180/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7267L/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7269L/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7268L/?pg=0

http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Bridesmaids/7041/?pg=0

I do not favor strapless dresses - IMO, they are typically not the most flattering style for most women, so I looked at 4 BM dresses that were strapless, but I looked at them with cap sleeves or straps (which AA stocks samples of) so I could think of them in a different way.

Also, I couldn't disagree more with your mother about the sashes!

My mother is 68, and she was uncertain about my dress UNTIL she saw it with a sash! It was like "bingo!" she loved it... the sashes create shape, pull the look together, and elevate a simple dress to another level. Do NOT buy into the idea that the sashes are for young girls only... nothing could be further from the truth.

if you don't like the bow in the back of the dress, remember that a seamstress can snip off the long ends that are used to tie it, and sew the sash directly into the side seams of the dress, which gives you the effect, without the bow/tails at the back of the dress - this is especially important if you have a lace-back dress, which can look fussy with the added bow.

Good luck!

I went to four different dress shops and they all had a huge variety. I would definitely branch out and look at the more mainstream shops! I also found that it helped to browse designer websites for the dresses I was interested in an then looked to see what shops in my area carried those designers.

The styles of dresses at American stores would make your head spin.

Try David's Bridal. Just make sure when you go that you tell them what you're looking for. When I went for my dress, I told my consultant I didn't want anything flashy or poofy.

Like Rebecca said, look at BM dresses that can be ordered in white/ivory and also Mother-of-Bride dresses -- extra bonus -- probably less expensive than wedding dresses.

My dress is actually a white bridesmaid dress! I didn't want poof, bling, a train.... nada. Best part was the price: $275! I can't wait to pick it up in a few weeks.

I'd highly suggest looking into bridesmaids dresses in white! I first tried it on in black and still fell in love. I tracked it down in white to try on, and it was perfect. SOLD! Stay open minded! GOOD LUCK!!