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I get a lot of questions about specific designer wedding gowns, and how to find them. This guide will help answer some of those questions:
1. Samples: Most designer sample gowns are 3-8 years old, that is, they haven't been seen in regular boutiques in 3-8 years, usually 5-8. If your gown is from a current or recent season, it's unlikely you'll find a sample of the specific dress you want. If your heart is set on one specific gown, you have two options-- buy it used or a buy a floor model.
2. Floor models are usually about 35% off of the original retail price. If that 35% discount makes the dress within your price range, you should immediately call the designer headquarters and find all of the boutiques in the country who carry the dress. At least one should be willing to sell you their floor model. Floor models are usually a size 10-12, so you should consider the cost of altering if need be.
3. Used: You may be able to find a used gown and should put a wanted ad on craigslist, and on ebay's want-it-now. You should also check preownedweddingdresses (dot) com on a *regular basis*. Used dresses are risky because while they've only been worn once and are in good condition, they have usually been altered. Re-altering can be *very* expensive, so again, you should consider that cost when buying a used dress.
4. If I had to give you specific advice, I'd say ditch the specific gown you want. Weddings are expensive, and it's simply not worth devoting 50% of the wedding budget to one dress. You can find an older, but new/never-worn flattering silk designer sample for a *fraction* of the cost of a recent dress. Most designer gowns are beautiful, well made, and easy to fall in love with. Fall out of love with the specific gown and start looking at samples which have a similar neckline and style.
5. I have a list of a couple websites where you can find designer silk sample gowns from pre-2005. Most of them are still pretty pricey, but they may be worth checking. I am not allowed to post 'outside links' in this guide, so feel free to contact me and I'll pass them along. (please make sure to include your email address when you contact me). In my experience, Ebay is about as cheap as it gets-- you can get a lot more bang for your buck. Feel free to peruse my gowns by by clicking here . Also, these sellers have great prices and designers (I don't know them so I can't speak for them, but their storefronts are professional and they seem to me to be good sellers):
Seller 1
Seller 2
Seller 3
Seller 4
Good luck!
Joanna
Mondainestyle
1. Samples: Most designer sample gowns are 3-8 years old, that is, they haven't been seen in regular boutiques in 3-8 years, usually 5-8. If your gown is from a current or recent season, it's unlikely you'll find a sample of the specific dress you want. If your heart is set on one specific gown, you have two options-- buy it used or a buy a floor model.
2. Floor models are usually about 35% off of the original retail price. If that 35% discount makes the dress within your price range, you should immediately call the designer headquarters and find all of the boutiques in the country who carry the dress. At least one should be willing to sell you their floor model. Floor models are usually a size 10-12, so you should consider the cost of altering if need be.
3. Used: You may be able to find a used gown and should put a wanted ad on craigslist, and on ebay's want-it-now. You should also check preownedweddingdresses (dot) com on a *regular basis*. Used dresses are risky because while they've only been worn once and are in good condition, they have usually been altered. Re-altering can be *very* expensive, so again, you should consider that cost when buying a used dress.
4. If I had to give you specific advice, I'd say ditch the specific gown you want. Weddings are expensive, and it's simply not worth devoting 50% of the wedding budget to one dress. You can find an older, but new/never-worn flattering silk designer sample for a *fraction* of the cost of a recent dress. Most designer gowns are beautiful, well made, and easy to fall in love with. Fall out of love with the specific gown and start looking at samples which have a similar neckline and style.
5. I have a list of a couple websites where you can find designer silk sample gowns from pre-2005. Most of them are still pretty pricey, but they may be worth checking. I am not allowed to post 'outside links' in this guide, so feel free to contact me and I'll pass them along. (please make sure to include your email address when you contact me). In my experience, Ebay is about as cheap as it gets-- you can get a lot more bang for your buck. Feel free to peruse my gowns by by clicking here . Also, these sellers have great prices and designers (I don't know them so I can't speak for them, but their storefronts are professional and they seem to me to be good sellers):
Seller 1
Seller 2
Seller 3
Seller 4
Good luck!
Joanna
Mondainestyle
Guide created: 05/28/08 (updated 06/08/08)
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