Plus Size Bridal Gowns on a Budget

May 13, 2009 07:00 AM | Comments (4) | Posted in budget bride, bridal fashion, plus size fashion, ebay, goodwill, lane bryant, bridal fashion for less, budget wedding guide, Plus Size Bridal

Q: I am a plus-size bride in dire need of a beautiful wedding dress on a budget. I live in the New York area and everything seems to be in a size two.

A: There are many options out there for brides on a budget, including plus-size brides. Here are a few:


Lane Bryant.com
The fashionable plus size bridal company has created a line of beautiful and budget bridal gowns for plus size fashionistas. Collection features simple sleeves dresses, similar to the weddings dresses designed by J.Crew, for under $150 dollars.  Read my review of the line


The Bridal Building
1385 Broadway
New York City
This is the place where many designers have their showrooms and sales offices. These showrooms are open to the public on Saturdays and you can find designer dresses from 30% off retail prices. Tailors are available on the spot.


The Bridal Suite of Manhattan
262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212.764.3040, Fax: 212.764.3018
Contact: Bernadette Pleasant
bpleasant@BridalSuiteNYC.com
A large selection of styles and prices. Call ahead to see if they are having a trunk sale.


Last Call Neiman Marcus
Woodbury Commons (Central New York) and Franklin Mills (outside of Philadelphia, PA.)
These outlets of the high-end Neiman Marcus store carry a wonderful selection of gowns, for up to 80% off their retail price. Sizing is hit or miss, though I have spotted plus-sizes before.


Kleinfields
110 West 20th Street
New York, New York 10011
Phone (646) 633 4300
e-mail: info@kleinfeldbridal.com


THE place to shop in New York for bridal gowns is Kleinfields and the store featured on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress”. Brides travel here from as far away as Washington, D.C. Kleinfields has a large selection of gowns to fit every size and price range. Call ahead for an appointment.

David’s Bridal
location: wherever there’s women…but one Manhattan location on 25th and 6th Ave
A large selection of affordable, but somewhat plain,  plus size wedding dresses.


Local Thrift Shops
Thrift shops can offer wonderful bridal treasures, if you don’t mind wearing a second-hand dress. It’s always worth taking a look at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. In New York City, also check out Housing Works Thrift Shop in Chelsea.


If you can’t find your perfect dress at any of these stores, try finding it on the internet. Online bridal shops like CocoMyles, Watters.com and Bridal Shop at Yahoo can offer a wide range of sizes and cheaper prices because there is little store overhead. Also try eBay, which has a huge selection of plus-size bridal gowns, some new and some not so new. When using eBay, make sure you ask for several pictures of the item and purchase with a credit card that has buyer protection—not a debit card. That way, if any problems develop, you might be able to get a refund from your credit card company.


Happy Shopping,
The Budget Fashionista

How To Find A Great Mother Of The Bride Dress On A Budget

May 12, 2009 07:00 AM | Comments (0) | Posted in budget bride, bridal fashion, bridal fashion for less, budget wedding guide

Just cause you’re the momma, that doesn’t mean you have to look frumpy. We have a couple of tips to help you look fabulous for the big day.

1. Shop Early – Since most weddings are planned well in advance of the actual date, moms of the bride should take advantage of the end of season clearance specials and discontinued dresses that are often offered for way less than you will find anywhere else.

2. Expand Your Territory – Even if you live in the smallest town, the internet brings nationwide shopping right to your doorstep. Browse styles, colors, and designers online at different locations to compare prices. Many times there will be discounts available only to online shoppers. If you find something you love, go first to a dress store where you can have precise measurements taken before ordering. Also, it may be wise to have an alteration specialist on hand in the event you need some additional touch ups to the dress. Do not order online if you are in a hurry for a dress.

3. Capture Your Style – If you do happen to find a dress or two you love online or in a store but you can’t afford at full price, shop around online to find a similar dress that may be on sale at another location.

4. Think Outside of the Wedding Store – Interestingly, you can often find dresses that are very similar to those found in a wedding shop but cost way less if they are bought in a non-wedding store. Try a nice, dressy pants suit from a store like Ann Taylor or check out the clearance racks of your local Macy’s or Dillards for suits from brands like Tahari. Seems that putting the word “wedding” in front of another word, raises the price. Instead of shopping for mother of the bride gowns, try looking for shops that carry evening wear, cocktail dresses, or formal wear.

5. Go Consignment – Consignment shops are a great place to find an affordable mother of the bride dress. Shops typically are very particular about the merchandise they resell and since many mother dresses are only worn once, you can often find a basically brand new dress for a considerably less price.

6. Think of the Future – In most cases, wedding attire for the wedding party and parents of the bride and groom are bought simply for that one occasion. When shopping for a dress, consider a basic style that will be suitable for other occasions post-wedding. While you may be extending your budget a bit for the wedding, you could end up saving yourself top dollar down the road by having a nice, formal dress for other occasions. Skip beads and sparklers and go for basic but beautiful.

7. Budget Borrowing – If you find yourself in a situation where you have a non-existent budget when it comes to a mother of the bride gown, perhaps there is a relative or friend that would be happy to lend you their own dress. But make sure they’re a distance the relative or didn’t wear the outfit to a wedding where they were photographed.