Dress troubles...

How many shops have you tried? It took me 8-10 shops. Very frustrating. When I tried a dress way out of my budget out of desperation it gave me the idea to try separates and I finally got the look I wanted. But for my reception dress, I was totally open to big alterations and it turned out perfect (from a strapless to a tea length with 3/4 sleeves).


What style are you wanting?

Girl, Yess!!! I’m having major issues. I recommend you keep trying different stores.

I went to five or six bridal boutiques and tried on 10 dresses at each store. I never had the experience or feeling of finding "the one". During the months of dress shopping, I was able to secure a wedding date at a church and reception venue. Once I did that, a vision started to form and I chose a dress that best matched my vision and both spaces. I tried the dress on two or three times before purchasing it, and again, three more times to review and get fitted. On my wedding day, the dress looked perfect - it fit my vision, the church and reception spaces beautifully.

View Quoted Comment I have went to 5 shops so far and searched online dresses but that is sketchy to me. I have probably tried on over 50 dresses. But your right it is very frustrating!


Styles have changed as I’ve tried on, I want a A line dress with some lace on top and buttons down the back. I have also gone between a satin ball gown. So I have a range of shoes I like which I think is making it harder for me to chose.

View Quoted Comment Hmm, I bought a lace bodysuit from Martina Liana (with sleeves which were so hard to find), then paired it with a layered ball gown skirt from Morilee. Anything in separates interest you???


Anything close that you might be able to alter? Seamstresses work wonders.

I suggest not getting stuck on specific features (or a lot of specific features) and instead picking one or two things you really love and considering a variety of dresses that meet those looser requirements. You may find that the dress you fall in love with is different than the dress you initially imagined.

I bought my dress pre-owned off of StillWhite and felt like it gave me a lot more options. I live in a rural area and there is only one bridal boutique within an hour of me and it caters to a specific style of bride and only carries a handful of brands. Buying pre-owned online gave me many more designers and styles to choose from and opened up more options because it allowed me to look at dresses that would normally have been outside of my price range if purchased new. I ended up spending about a third of my budget on a dress that would have been double my budget new (and was much nicer than dresses I tried on that cost 2-3x more at the bridal boutique). With the money I saved I can even consider getting a second dress for my reception that is a different style than my ceremony dress. I never really considered myself a "two dresses for one wedding" type of gal but I like two very different styles so now at least I have that option of getting a super modern crepe dress to go with my more traditional lace one.

I was def having this issue until my incredible bridal consultant brought something out that was the complete opposite of what I wanted. ( i went in for a full tulle ball gown and came out with a lace mermaid!) I would have never in a million years picked it out for myself, mostly out of insecurity, but after i put it on, still not sure, she asked me could I see myself walking down the isle to my best friend in this. that was it, we all lost it and sobbed and signed the check!

There are places that do custom orders online if you know exactly what you want. They sketch them out and make it for you, then ship it to you.

I couldnt find anything like what I wanted in the store but went online and got a beautiful dress to custom measurements through JJ's and then had a local seamstress add sleeves.

Figure out what elements of the dresses you like and see if you cant work with one of the custom dress places. It might not cost as much as you'd think.

Try different styles and and different designers. If you have a couple favorite designers try different styles on from them.

Try all types of styles. You usually end up selecting a dress that you initially thought you'd never do. Also, keep in mind that it takes time for the dress to be ordered and then you need alterations on top of that. You're starting to run out of time. Good luck!