I have been to two different dress shops so far and my intention was to go to lots, try every different style and see what deatails suit me best, make me feel the most amazing and which dress I couldn't stop thinking about. I did not expect to find a dress and break down or say "this is the one, put the others back!"
So far, the results of trying on are the same. The sweetheart neckline, dropped waist seemed to absolutely be my favourite style without a doubt. The dresses I had tried were incredibly beautiful, beautiful detail, sparkle in all the right places, perfect in theory, but I did feel their was something missing, which I figured I would find in other shops.
Out of curiosity and because I couldn't think of anything else, I googled and googled and found dress after dress that had all the qualities I was looking for, but still, not giving me that wow factor. Apart from one.
This one dress is so different to any I have seen, but still has all the style must haves that I am looking for. There is just something about it that gives it the wow factor. It also happens to be one of the very first images I had saved in my wish list folder, but never thought I would find it and if I did, it would be well out of my price range. All dresses pale significantly next to this one, including every dress in my wish list now that I know the shape that suits me.
Obviously I followed the link and here is the problem.... It's a brand new, custom made dress from china at £100.
The seller has 100% positive feedback and comments on the surprising quality. Even if it's not the most amazing quality and fit, surely adjustments by a seamstress would be far less than a gown from a bridal shop? Even if the dress was taken to pieces and remade totally with new fabrics, I still think I would be saving. The only thing that's stopping me is it seems too good to be true.
I have plenty of time, provided the style will be relisted. I don't want to impulse buy, but on the other hand, I want that dress!
Sorry for the essay! What are your thoughts ladies?
CommentAuthorkittyh
To be honest I really think it depends on if you can afford to lose the £100 if it turns up and its completely wrong/poor quality etc. I personally would probably take the risk and then if it wasn't right I would just keep looking but obviously some brides are on a much tighter budget so that just isn't an option.
What I would say is that at 19months away it is quite early to be stressing that you haven't found 'the one' there is still plenty of time and lots of new dresses will be coming in to the shops soon so maybe hold off for a bit. :)
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
I honestly had no intention of finding the one. I had started looking early because I wanted to try on everything ruling things out as I go, month, by month, slowly but surely. It just happens this dress popped up for a second time! It's not anything like any other dress I have seen. I honestly thought it would take months to even find the style I wanted as I am generally quite indecisive and there are so many beautiful dresses and amazing designers. I certainly didn't expect to find something so unique ticking all the boxes, but that meant taking such a risk!
CommentAuthorFlossie
I think you're actually in a great position to just order it now and see what it turns out like. If it's not like you imagined and you're not happy with the quality, then the good thing is you have plenty of time to get it altered if needs be or just to get rid of it and start again with your search all together. I don't think it would be £100 completely wasted as I'm sure there would be a fellow bride to be out there somewhere willing to buy it off you. So.. I say take the risk because at this stage you don't really have anything to lose and time is on your side. At least if you don't like it then you can cross off another thing on your list, and if you love it then HURRAY!!
P.s. do you have a photo of it? Xx
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorJennK
As Flossie said, do you have any pictures?
I think £100 isn't a huge amount to risk if it arrived and wasn't right, but then again it depends on your budget and how happy you feel about it :)
Oh, be aware that you might also get a customs charge as well xx
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorAprilS61
I agree with Flossie, however it does depend on your budget. If you had a dress budget of £1000 I would go for it and take the risk. If you had a budget of say £500 I would be in two minds as it wouldn't leave you with much for a new one if it wasn't what you were hoping for. That being said, I was budgeting £1000 for my dress and all accessories, and I found my dress in an outlet store at an amazing price of £650 and took it home on the day. I think your budget is the biggest factor to your decision x
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorJR2015
Is it an actual picture of the real dress you will receive or is it a photo they have stolen from another designers website? Because sometimes you just dont know what you are going to get.
Personally I wouldnt risk it, just because if it did arrive and it wasnt right it would cause more stress to get it fixed that it's worth money wise. Alterations probably wouldnt be that much if it was too big/small etc but if you have issues with shoddy workmanship, cheap materials, dodgy boning etc then that takes much longer and more expense to put right. Plus add custom tax on top of that (which you will have to pay, theres no avoiding it) costs start to add up.
Need to see a photo of the dress really.
CommentAuthor*KelBel*
I think you should give it a go, at £100 it's pretty great price and if u don't like it try again. Could you not show the picture to a seamstress here and see if someone here can make it?x
Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
Mummy to 4 girlies and baby blue boy Due 10/05/2016
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
Thanks so much ladies.
I have uploaded a picture to my profile and put it in it's own album titled "THE dress"
I have also put a link on my wall to the actual listing.
Very tempted to go ahead and order for the sake of £100. Kelbel, that may just be the back up plan if it doesn't turn out as I hope!
CommentAuthorFlossie
Ooooh that is gorgeous Carrie.. I can see why you are so smitten with it! It really is different and I think it would look amazing on you!!
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorKatieH
I was planning on doing the same but found my dress in the first shop I went to. When you find the 1 you find the 1 :)
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
You are both so right. Gonna sort out my measurements and order it. The absolute worst thing that can happen is I will have a seamstress make me the dress from scratch. I love it and I am not going to find anything else that comes close!
CommentAuthorInDreamland
It's a beautiful dress. If you're happy to risk it and maybe just need some alterations then go for it x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorSammi_with_camera
That dress is rather amazing! It reminds me of a dress I've seen but struggling to think who the designer was or where I saw it. Let me have a think xx
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
Oh yes please Sammi. Let me know.
Thanks for all your help ladies :-)
CommentAuthorSammi_with_camera
I really can't think and it's driving me nuts! I did a google image search and it only came up with china dress sites.
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
That's ok. You will probably suddenly remember at 3 am some time next week!!
CommentAuthorSammi_with_camera
Found it! Saw it whilst looking at dresses on the bay of e. Ok it's not quite the same but you can see the influence so maybe you look at the designer. I'll pop link on your wall xx
CommentAuthorCarrieD26
Oh yes, I absolutely see what you mean. Thanks for doing that for me. :-)
