[nelie]

Or if you want to make yourself feel better when you are budgeting for your wedding, you can use an investment calculator like...
http://www.daveramsey.com/article/in...g/#/entry_form

If you spent $35,000 total, which is about the average wedding cost these days, then in 20 years, without adding anymore money to an investment account, you'd have approximately $260k in 20 years

[Em Coconut]

I got mine from jkdress.com, they can make a copy of your dream dress if you send pictures...Really satisfied!

[Daki]

I will be ordering my dress from www.jasminesbridalshop.com/. They do replica dresses. They are more pricey than your average from-China-dress but from what I understand it's worth it. They even update their blog with actual dresses that they've made, http://www.jasminesbridalshop.com/blog/. Personally, I have two major reasons for choosing a replica dress company over a designer. The first being that I just can't bring myself to spend so much money on a dress. The second is that I want a WEDDING dress but I don't want it in white or ivory. Wedding dresses have a certain look that other formal gowns don't and it isn't because they are white.

Jasmine's Bridal Shop has premium grade fabric or designer grade fabric. Regular, premium or designer grade craftmanship (From what I understand wedding dresses are premium or designer grade only). For premium or designer grade craftsmanship they will send you photos of YOUR dress BEFORE they ship it. In order for them to ship it, you have to approve it. That's where you can tell them to make the skirt more full or to fix this or that.

You can request swatches of fabric, it will cost $45 because shipping is $20 and they require you request at least $25 worth of swatches (a dollar a piece).

I've only had one email exchange with them but unlike other Chinese dressmaker sites, the person you communicate is fluent in English. I believe he even lives in the US. This is really helpful so they clearly understand what you want.

The key to ordering a replica is to be very clear and concise and to provide as many pictures and close ups as you can get your hands on. Make sure you specify what exactly about the dress is important to you.

Check out this: http://www.weddingbee.com/search/?se...&sa.x=0&sa.y=0 (Click on boards) A bunch of brides on the WeddingBee boards have ordered from Jasmine's and posted pictures of their dress.

[JudgeDread]

Thanks to all the further suggestions! I can't believe how many sites are out there.....I think Sunday my mom and I will venture to David's Bridal first. If I can't find something I like there, then I may have to look into those knockoff sites. My only concern is the beading, I LOVE the bling bling rhinestones and beads sown in and am concerned about who can pull that off...if I were to have it made.

Alas, I am frugal, an $1800 dress is crazy for sure. We plan on spending as little as possible on the wedding. I want to do a bunch of DIY projects for the wedding. The venue is costing us $3445, and that will give us 3 nights and 4 days. It is actually a huge Tuscan styled house at the bottom of a mountain! This way my family can stay with us, and we can have the grooms supper (a cookout probably), and the wedding/reception at the location. So the other major expense will be food and alcohol.

[JudgeDread]

So for an update, I did go to David's Bridal Monday.......and well nothing.

Not saying I didn't like any of them, which I did. I guess a part of me wants to keep looking before buying. I know I can't justify that 1800 on a dress to myself but I can't get over that "WOW" I feeling I got in that dress.

It didn't help I was cramping and my lower back kicked my *** while trying on dresses!

[Pink Hurricane]

DAVIDS BRIDAL!!!!!

The other suggestions are wonderful as well. I had the most luck with Davids Bridal. I ended up with the dress I have always wanted, it was so perfect in so many ways, and it was marked down from over 1K to $399 plus tax. It was a steal, and everything I had ever wanted. You should never have to spend over $500 for a wedding dress. You might even be able to find dresses for even cheaper, exactly the way you want it!

[carbstart]

I spent nearly $2,400 on my dress. I know, I know. I'm only getting married once, my parents offered to pay for it, and it's a very special event. A wedding is different to everyone. For my family they want to splurge to celebrate our marriage and our family and friends. Do what makes you happy and what you can afford

[JudgeDread]

Originally Posted by carbstart

I spent nearly $2,400 on my dress. I know, I know. I'm only getting married once, my parents offered to pay for it, and it's a very special event. A wedding is different to everyone. For my family they want to splurge to celebrate our marriage and our family and friends. Do what makes you happy and what you can afford

wow! that is a lot!

Well I'm starting to think if I can't find another dress that I like as much as the 1800$ one, then I may buy it and sell it later. That way I can get some money back for it and I won't feel bad....that is if I can avoid staining it!