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wedding dress

Bridechilla BlogBridechilla Podcast

364- Ditch Wedstress Stress Q&A with Aleisha

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

It’s time for you to ditch the stress in your wedding planning! One of the most popular shows are our Question and Answer episodes. So many Bridechillas are experiencing unique and difficult situations as they plan their wedding. Creating a community of support and encouragement is what Bridechilla is all about. In this episode, Aleisha discusses questions by recounting her own experiences and offering timely advice for Bridechillas and Groomchillas everywhere.

Listen to episode 346 of Bridechilla

A suggested episode for both partners

When planning a wedding, it is quite common for one of the partners to do the majority of the wedding planning. Often, the other partner might not be as thrilled about the planning part of getting married. They may struggle to understand the need for certain elements of the party or may express concern over the cost of the wedding. Bridechilla Stephanie suggested that Aleisha consider an upcoming podcast that would help both partners get on the same page. This potential episode could help bring understanding and unity for the couple. Listen as Aleisha considers this potential upcoming episode.

Sometimes you can look at yourself in the mirror and you hear yourself saying things and your like ‘Fuck I would never say that to someone that I loved or like or had nice positive things towards, why the fuck would I say that to myself?

Photo by Brooke Cagle 

How to help a friend after a break up

Even after the decision to get married has been made, trouble can come into the relationship. Not all couples that get engaged are able to go through with the wedding. All breakups are difficult. But breaking off an engagement can be especially painful. How can you support and help a friend who has broken their engagement? What can you say or do to encourage them and help them heal? Sharing from firsthand experience, Aleisha offers several ways to be a good friend during this difficult time.

Photo by Charisse Kenion

Say yes to the right dress

Since you only hope to ever get married once, it is important that you are happy with everything about the wedding. It is important to keep things in perspective and focus on the things that matter most. One non-negotiable for most Bridechilla’s is the wedding dress. You want to look and feel amazing in your dress on your wedding day. However, McKayla is having second guesses about her wedding dress. She says felt pressured to buy a dress on which she has put a sizable, non refundable down payment. What can she do? Aleisha gives some great advice for how to ditch the stress and get the dress you really want during this episode.

  • If you’ve really got the vibes in your tum-tum that this is not right for you, then you should start proceedings to get rid of that dress and find a dress that suits you.

    • Get in a Bridechilla Community

    One of the best ways to find encouragement and support through the Bridechilla Community is to join one of the Facebook groups. There are groups not only for brides, but also for Maidchillas and a new one for Parentchillas. These groups offer a place to ask questions, share ideas, and offer support to people who are experiencing some of the same things you are. Be a fully participating Bridechilla by joining in the conversation in one of these groups and ditch the stress in your wedding planning.

    Listen to episode 364 of Bridechilla

    Show Highlights

    • [0:47] Aleisha introduces today’s show, which is a Q&A session with questions submitted by the Bridechilla community
    • [1:58] Aleisha shares an iTunes review and feedback about a recent episode from Kat
    • [6:49] Bridechilla Stephanie would like an episode for the partners that may not be as invested in the wedding planning process
    • [10:40] How to help a friend deal with a break up with their fiance. Aleisha talks about her experience and gives advice
    • [18:35] Go to the Bridechilla store for the Bridechilla Survival, Field and Maidchilla manuals
    • [20:08] McKayla from Cincinnati is having second guesses about her wedding dress and wants to know how to handle it.
    • [28:29] Check out all of the Bridechilla Facebook groups

    Memorable Quotes

    • “I think we are all trying to change our approach and be a lot more body positive and just people positive in general.”
    • “If you are living in a share house, don’t have sex with one of the other share house people because it’s trouble. They’re not going to get into a relationship with you.”

    With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

    Show image by Sarah Diniz Outeiro

    Header image photo by Vitor Pinto

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    Bridechilla BlogGuest Post

    10 Steps to Find Your Budget-Friendly, Dream Wedding Dress

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    Finding a wedding dress is an exciting life moment, but also a stressful time for many. The vision of what this day is “supposed to look like” is sometimes soured by the stress, drama, and cost of the process.

    The wedding industry works overtime on selling us what a “perfect” wedding looks like. As a Bridechilla, you know that there is no such thing. This pressure for perfection compounded by the unsolicited feedback from friends and family.

    Chasing the approval of others and the elusive “perfect” wedding causes couples planning their wedding to spend much more than they intended chasing this elusive goal.

    This issue is certainly highlighted in the search of the “perfect” dress.

    When watching some of the reality shows about brides on the hunt for their dream wedding gown, it is common to see families spend double or triple their intended budget because they found “the dress”.

    In reality, they certainly could find a similar dress which looks equally gorgeous within their budget. Enchanted by the magic of it all and the skill of a trained sales associate, a credit card is used and the purchase is made.

    Today, I’d like to share a strategic plan for wedding dress shopping on a budget. By setting a realistic expectation of what your wedding dress shopping process will look like, you can stay on budget, enjoy the process and pull together a gorgeous wedding day look!

    Photo by Charisse Kenion 

    1) Include the right people in your wedding dress search

    Finding a wedding dress that makes you look and feel fantastic is a very special and intimate moment in your wedding planning journey; it is lovely to share this process with those you are close with, but do not feel obligated to include any particular person who might bring the energy down.

    When it comes to wedding dress shopping, involve those who are going to bring positive vibes, honest feedback, and respect for your wedding vision. Also, consider the dynamic of the group and any tension that might make the experience un-enjoyable for you.

    It is better to keep your crew small and find other ways to involve people rather than inviting 20 women to give opinions on wedding gowns.

    If there is a friend or relative that you do not want to involve, be diplomatic. If you leave someone out of the process, then do not share the experience on Instagram on Snapchat. Keep the moment intimate and enjoy it with those who are included. This is not meant to “sneak around”, but rather to avoid unnecessary drama over something that is not worth the energy.

    If you want to go browsing dresses with just your best friend or mother, that is ok. You are not required to make a big event out of each step of planning your wedding day. You will have many opportunities to include all the important people in your life in the wedding planning process.

    Photo by rawpixel

    2 ) Do some research in person, but have a cooling off period before making a purchase

    You may have a wedding gown in mind that has been pinned on your wedding vision board for years or you may have no idea what sort of wedding dress will suit your style. Either way, I recommend going into at least one bridal shop to “test drive” some different styles.

    Be sure you don’t rush this decision. You are going into a shop that will want to sell you something and there may be some sales pressure at points. Because of this, I recommend that you do not even bring a credit card with you. Seriously, leave your wallet at home and have a friend drive.

    This first visit should be an experimental phase. This will be a fun day to involve friends and family who want to be a part of this process. Be clear that your aim is NOT to make a purchase, but just to test out some different styles, so you can get clear on what you want.

    Try on a variety of gowns based on what the shop staff recommends for your body type. If you have a style in mind, aim to try on some dresses of that variety, just to make sure the style suits your share and is comfortable.

    Keep the tone light. Try on some silly dresses, as well as some style contenders, just for a giggle. Find the fun in this process and enjoy having these special people together to help prepare for this big celebration.

    I recommend trying on dresses within your budget only. On the off chance that it is love at first sight, you do not want to fall for something that you can not afford. There are gorgeous dresses at all price points, so blowing your budget on this expense category is completely unnecessary.

    If there is a dress you absolutely cannot resist, give yourself 24 hours to reflect before purchasing it. Bridal shops are known for their unforgiving return policies. Once you make the purchase, you have limited options if you change your mind. Take your time and avoid the pain of buyer’s remorse.

    Most stores will offer a courtesy hold for 24-hour or 48-hour without a charge (and if your wallet isn’t in your hand, that’ll have to work). Take a breath, reflect on the expense and check out step #3 before whipping out a credit card.

    Photo by Alora Griffiths

    3) If you think you found “the dress”...

    Now, it is time to tap the web for all it is worth and find yourself a cherry of a deal.

    While you will not always be able to find the exact dress for a deep discount, waiting the 24-hours to scour online like a CIA agent is a smart step. You can give yourself a minute to reflect before making such a big purchase and be certain you are getting that dress for the best price available.

    Open up google and search the brand name and style number to locate the professional photos of the dress on the brand’s website.

    Save that image and drop that professional image into google image search.

    The image search will pull up a long list of sites to explore, but first, browse the “visually similar images.”

    Each image will be linked to a bridal shop or online dress retailer.

    Grab a notepad and make notes of pricing listed on various sites. This will likely require calling some stores to check their current pricing. Depending on the dress, you may find that same dress you love for a deep discount with another shop’s current sales.

    If you are open to a pre-owned gown, which I would recommend considering, add “used” into the search. Step 4 notes some of the major pre-owned gown retailers.

    If considering a pre-owned dress, be sure to consider the original size of the dress and any alterations that might impact the way the gown fits. Alterations are expensive, so if you need to reshape the pre-owned dress to make it fit, the new gown in the correct size may end up being more affordable.

    By using this simple online search and waiting for 24 hours, it is often possible to score the exact dress you have on hold for hundreds less.

    As a test, while writing this article, I picked a completely random dress from Maggie Sottero and within a minute found this dress (pre-loved) online for 40% below retail price. The deals are out there is you spend the time searching for them.

    Photo by Taylor Harding

    4) If you didn’t find “the dress” yet... 

    Hopefully, you now have a much better idea of style and sizing from your visit to the bridal shop. With this info in hand, you can start using filters on some top online resale and sample sale websites to find better deals on dresses suited to your style. Without the overhead of a full store, online bridal shops can offer deeply discounted pricing.

    Sites selling new dresses at surprisingly reasonable prices are sometimes too good to be true; always seek out unbiased reviews for online retailers and be sure to read the fine print regarding returns to avoid a bad situation. There are some great companies and others that are less impressive, so be sure to do your homework.

    Here is a list of amazing sites that I recommend searching for pre-loved dresses:

    Tradesy

    Still White

    Poshmark

    Nearly Newlywed

    Brides for a Cure

    Brides Against Breast Cancer

    Adorned in Grace

    Fairytale Brides

    There are pre-owned bridal stores in most towns, too. Take a quick second to check for one in your area and you might find the opportunity to browse some gently loved gowns in person.

    Listen to this helpful episode of Bridechilla

    5) Once you locate the dress you love at the right price, it is time to place your order

    Spending an extra few minutes looks for a promo code or coupon online can save a little extra or at least cover shipping costs. To maximize your purchase, use a credit card with rewards so you can earn something back on your purchase.

    6) While you wait for the dress to arrive, research affordable seamstresses in your area 

    Rather than contacting the seamstress recommended by the local bridal shop, take time to yelp to see what seamstress options are in your area.

    As with all wedding projects, if you find a company specializing in weddings, they will likely be more expensive. Look for a highly recommended and reviewed alterations shop or seamstress that works with all sorts of projects.

    Call to get a quote for altering a “gown” (do not say the “w” word), they will likely give a ballpark cost rather than an exact cost since they do need to see the project to provide a true estimate.

    When you bring the dress into the shop, mention the quote that you were provided over the phone and that will help keep the cost most reasonable.

    Photo by Julie Johnson

    7) Hold an “unveiling” with your bride tribe when the dress arrives 

    If you order online, you will likely be very eager to rip open the box and try that gown on as soon as the UPS man leaves your porch.

    Be strong! Wait to open that box … this can be a fun way to involve your friends and family. Get a bottle of champagne (or whatever you all prefer) and invite the crew over for the exciting moment.

    They can help give feedback on any alterations needed. This is also a great time to chat about accessories and shoes (see the next steps).

    8) Purchase shoes that can be worn over and over again

    Many brides over prioritize their wedding day shoes. The truth is your shoes are not the star of the show on your wedding day. With the current wedding culture viewed via the lens of Pinterest and Instagram, it may seem like your shoes will get a lot more attention than they will in reality.

    There are a ton of cute “getting ready” photos highlighting some gorgeous shoes, but unless you have opted for a tea length dress, your gown will cover up your shoes for at least 98% of the day.

    I am not saying you should wear your old, ratty converse just because they will not be visible. It is your special day, so you want to wear shoes you love, but just consider buying shoes that you will use again. If you are going to spend big on special wedding day shoes, they should be shoes you will get a lot of use out of!

    Personally, I can not wear heels, so I opted for some goddess style sandals on my wedding day. After my wedding day, I literally wore those sandals until the soles fell off. Every time I wore them I remembered our amazing day and it brought a smile to my face.

    Select a type of shoe that works with the venue and, more importantly, works for your lifestyle. I’ve seen brides wear all different shoe styles for their wedding - boots to sandals to sneakers. Select something that will make your day special, but also will get used again rather than stored in the back of your closet.

    Photo by Tom Quandt

    9) Rein in the accessories and consider “something old” or “something borrowed”

    If you purchased your dress from a bridal shop, when you go back to the shop to try on the dress again, be prepared for the upsells. They will grab a veil, a belt, a necklace, and shoes and try to sell you the full look. 

    There is nothing wrong with this. Of course, you want inspiration for how you might fill in your look, just do not feel pressure to make that purchase immediately.

    Much like a used car salesman, the staff member may suddenly remember there is a special sale on all accessories today only. Take a breath - you can find suitable accessories easily and there is no need to break your budget.

    And, honestly, that sale is probably available all of the time. False scarcity is a commonly used sales tactic used to scare you into making an unnecessarily quick decision.

    Before you invest some of your wedding budget on accessories for your wedding day...

    Does your mother, grandmother, aunt or future mother-in-law have a special necklace that would go perfectly with your dress?

    Or perhaps, your great-aunt has an old brooch that can jazz up the waistline instead of a belt?

    Can you borrow your best friend’s pearl earrings?

    From my experience, honoring the special people in your life by including their item as a part of your wedding day look is not only budget-friendly but also a significant complement to the person.

    Before getting out your credit card and dropping some cash for some new accessories you’ll wear once, chat with those closest to you and see if they have some pieces of jewelry or a veil or maybe even shoes that fit your vision.

    Photo by Scott Webb

    10) Once you’ve had your dress altered, be mindful of not needing last minute alterations

    Once you have paid a pretty penny for the dress to be hemmed and tailored to perfection, you do not want to gain or lose any significant weight.

    If you have a significant weight change due to wedding nerves, you will be spending some extra money on the second set of alterations. Do your best to take care of yourself as your wedding day approaches. And if you know that nerves cause major weight swings for you, consider a dress that is more forgiving (perhaps a corset back).

    If you are considering a crash diet for the months leading up to your wedding day, let that go. You are engaged and in love with someone who wants you just as you are. Stop stressing and enjoy this special time!

    This article was written by Heather Loree Fier, author of The Wedding Hacker: A Budget-Minded Planning Playbook. 

    ​

    Blog header image photo by Jessica Rockowitz

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    Bridechilla Blog

    I ditched my wedding dress just weeks before my wedding

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    I have a confession. I bought two wedding dresses. I changed my mind three weeks before the wedding and although it was a mild panic, I wouldn't have it any other way. The dresses were COMPLETELY different, like parallel universe different.

    One morning I woke up and realised the wedding dress that I bought (and that I had been trying to make more 'me') wasn't the one. In fact, I realised that it was the one that I thought that I should wear...that in my mind, I was expected to look like 'a bride' when none of our other plans for our wedding were really fitting with tradition, so why did I have to?

    Here is the story, perhaps my first real foray into being a Bridechilla, a leap that I took away from following the pack, where I decided not to settle because I thought I should and instead one sunday hit the shops with my dear friend to find 'the real one'. 

    My original Gown was a 'Wedding Dress' aka traditional


    Originally I purchased a traditional strapless dress. Now, anyone that has listened to The Bridechilla Podcast or has read my book, The Bridechilla Survival Guide will probably know my feelings about strapless dresses, if not, here's a quick summary. 

    You don't have to wear a strapless gown...

    Strapless gowns are not for everyone.  I know that every Jane and Jill buys them, but if you’ve got a larger rack, bingo wings, a tummy, you’re short, you’re super skinny, the list goes on, they’re hard to pull off and, to be honest, they can look (and feel) pretty average.

    My point is, you should wear what makes you feel gorgeous and comfortable on your wedding day. It’s your day to shine. It shouldn’t be about what everyone else wears, or what a magazine says you should wear. On your wedding day, you should feel like a jazzed-up version of you, not a character. You want to look back at photographs and think, “Gee whiz, I looked and felt smashing,” not, “Why are my boobs hanging out? Or squashed down? Why did I wear the same dress as everyone else?”

    Whatever you choose to wear on your wedding day, you want to make sure that you feel fucking fabulous. I keep saying feel because a big part of looking fabulous is feeling fabulous; owning it and selling it. As a Bridechilla, I know you have personality. Let it show. Whether that means wearing cowgirl boots and colorful jewelry or a dress with a big skirt and pockets, make sure whatever you choose embraces and celebrates who you are!

    Aleisha Bridechilla Original Dress

    The original dress, with me adding a belt and cardigan...anything to make it 'different'

    What was 'wrong' with the original dress?


    There was literally NOTHING WRONG with my original dress but then also EVERYTHING WAS WRONG.
    My original gown was very pretty. It had a lovely big swooshy skirt, and it had pockets. When I tried it on, I thought, “This is how you are supposed to look, Aleisha. This is Bride Aleisha.” Bride Aleisha* did look pretty, and the dress was very nice, but every time I tried it on, I struggled with it. I kept hitching it up, and even though it was boned and rather sturdy, I felt like it was going to fall off, or that I’d be yanking it up all day. The more I thought about it, the more I worried. When I visualized our wedding day, I couldn’t see me in that dress. It was like someone had snuffed me out of my imagination!

    We were getting married in the depths of winter, and I was worried about being cold (yes, I am a Nanna, but comfort should be considered!). Did I think perhaps the dress was lacking the wow factor? Maybe.

    I wanted the dress to look “different,” so I thought, let’s add a belt!

    Fourteen belts later, no go. How about a bolero? A sash? A funky cardigan? A wrap? A sequined throw? Waaaaaaaaaaaaa.

    What if this dress is all wrong and I fell for the bridal industry bullshit about what I am supposed to look like, wearing a strapless gown when that wasn’t me at all. Ding ding ding. We have a winner!

    Let's go emergency dress shopping...like now. 

    A month before our wedding I called my dear friend Julia and said, “I’m embarrassed to say this but the dress isn’t right and I wonder if you have a couple of hours to go shopping?” She was at my house within the hour. We went on a fast and furious shopping binge, visiting a big department store and picking every cream and white dress that we could find off the racks. Our venue was a ’50s house. It was stylized and chic. I love the Mad Men just-getting-married-at-the-registry-office look.

    Why, why, why did I buy that big dress that ate me?

    With every little vintage style shift dress that I tried on, I realized that the dress I had was all wrong. By three that afternoon, I had chosen a gorgeous cream Marino wool Jersey dress that not only made me feel amazing, but it also covered the bits that I wanted to cover and showed off the bits that I have worked hard for!

    I loved it. It was $300, and I couldn’t have been happier! So, that’s how I came to have two dresses. It’s not that I didn’t like the original dress, it just wasn’t the dress that made me feel like me; the new one did. I donated the original dress to Goodwill. I hope that someone found it and loved it, and it made them feel gorgeous and special.

    The second dress, the one- image by Louisa Bailey Photographer

    How to buy the dress YOU want

    Wedding dress shopping is an emotional and fun process (for most) but because of this pressure that we’ve collectively created as a society, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. We talk about it ‘being the best day of our lives’… let’s stop that! I had an amazing wedding day but I do hope that sometime within the next 100 years (cryogenics anyone?) that there’s a few more of equal awesomeness coming up.

    Buy the dress you want.

    Bugger the big price tags or what stylists or ‘fashion experts’ say… wear a dress, or a suit or a tutu that makes you feel fucking fabulous and go with it.

    When it comes down to it, it’s not about dresses, it’s about you standing with your other chosen person, in front of your friends and family, committing to being an awesome team and having a great time. You could wear a bin bag and still rock the hell out of it. Trust me.

    My Wedding dress shopping tips

    • There will always be another dress. Don’t be compelled to make a decision on the spot. 
    • Be like Fonzie, act cool.
    • For many brides, a process of elimination is your best bet. Try on a range of dresses, even those you don’t think will suit you.
    • Don’t be afraid of secondhand and pre-loved gowns.
    • Pick a dress that you love, that makes you feel fabulous. Forget trends and what looks good on waifs.
    • Read more about Aleisha and Rich's wedding

    Catch up on more Bridechilla Wedding Dress Blogs

    Learning to Love My Dress- Bridechilla Chloe shares her story. She was disappointed with the wedding dress that she chose, but the process was too far along to change her mind. So after a private cry, she started brainstorming ways to personalize her wedding day look and regain the love for her wedding dress.

    Why Renting Your Dress Makes Sense- Buying a wedding dress (or jumpsuit or suit) is a big decision. More often than not these are one wear only beauties that will be shoved in a much-needed storage space, forgotten about until you move house. In this age of sharing lifts with strangers and holidaying in other people’s apartments, there are also a plethora of start-ups that have launched offering premium rental services for wedding attire, that if considered just may save you money, storage space and the headache of what the heck to do with all this stuff after your big day, (like the brides in this article, who said their 'something borrowed' was made a heck of a lot easier with a rented gown).

    How to Feel Comfortable In Front Of The Camera- Not everyone was born to be in front of the camera. But everyone can look like they were on their wedding day with the right photographer. On this episode of Bridechilla, I talk with Cavin Elizabeth', an international wedding film and digital photographer based in San Diego about how to feel more comfortable in front of the camera. During our conversation, Cavin gives tips on choosing the right photographer, how to pose, who should do your hair and makeup, and how to treat your photographer and other vendors right. 

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    Bridechilla BlogBridechilla Podcast

    326- Choice is Stressful with Sarah Powell

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    This week's guest, 'Instagram's' Sarah Powell (@thissarahpowell) who is a Bridechilla, Celebrant and fellow podcaster.
    We share a wonderful half hour together talking about 'knowing when you know', the power of choice and the relief that can come from taking the leap and locking things in.
    The only thing Sarah hasn't found for her November wedding is the dress. A super enjoyable chat and I know you'll adore Sarah just as much as I do!

    We also discuss her two podcasts The Jules and Sarah Podcast and Wobble. Both are co-hosted with Jules von Hep (@julesvonhep) and are a must if you want a little more happiness and positivity in your life. 

    Listen to the episode

    Thanks to this week's Sponsors Nutrafol

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    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Online Wedding Dress Shopping

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    By Erica Greenwold Reisen

    I often get questions about online wedding dress shopping. People who know me or have read my website bio know that before I got into wedding planning, I went to college for fashion design. I worked for a bit in the bridal fashion industry as a designer, dressmaker, and alterations specialist. I have worked with everything from David’s Bridal bridesmaids dresses all the way through fully beaded couture gowns which cost upwards of ten grand.

    Like everything in the wedding industry, with wedding fashion, you need to understand the difference between price and value. Ideally, you want to find bridal gowns, suits and bridesmaids dresses which are of the best quality and value for the amount of money you are willing and able to spend. 

    Research Styles & Set your Budget

    When you get engaged you might be feeling excited to rush out and start shopping for a gown but it is important to sit down and do some research first. Figure out what you are comfortable spending on a gown and take some time to look at what is available within that price point before you make any appointments to try dresses on. Call the bridal salons and ask them about their price ranges and whether they can accommodate your budget. Also ask about average alteration costs and consider that in your budget as well.

    Now you know what you are comfortable spending and what styles are available in your budget. If you are able to go to local shop where you can see the dresses in person, you will have a pretty good idea what to expect from your dress when it arrives. Independent shops or chains like David's Bridal are going to have pretty consistent quality control and high standards, even for more modest price points. 

    But what if you have decided to shop online... How can you know that the gown (suit/bridesmaids dress/romper/etc..) will be what the seller claims it to be when it arrives on your doorstep? We have 5 tips to help make your online wedding dress shopping experience great, plus some red flags and other issues to watch out for in addition to the tips. 

    The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly of Online Wedding Dress Shopping | Bridechilla Wedding Planning Blog | Photo by Charisse Kenion via Unsplash

    Photo by Charisse Kenion

    5 tips for Online Wedding Dress Shopping:

    1. Shop with an established & reputable sellers:

    With brands like BHLDN and Modcloth on the scene, online shopping for weddings can be pretty much stress free. These are my go to suggestions if you are looking for a Wedding Gown under $1000 and you want something that is unique and different from what is sold at the bridal chain stores like David's Bridal. For Bridesmaids dresses, try Weddington Way, Brideside, or Azazie.

    2. Consider non-Bridal websites & stores:

    The world is your oyster and you can find gorgeous evening wear and trendy, fashionable wedding looks just about anywhere! One of my favorites is ASOS for budget friendly options, but you could also branch out to some of the higher end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstroms, or Bloomingdales.

    3. Independent Online Designers:

    There are some incredible independent designer brands who you can order from online. Lace & Liberty, Celia Grace, Chotronette, and Amy Kuschel to name a few. These won't all necessarily be money savers, but they are unique and you can trust the quality of the gowns and your overall experience should be a positive one.

    4. Designers on Etsy:

    There are absolutely some incredible designers and dressmakers doing incredible work on Etsy, and many of them offer a couture experience without the couture price tag. The important thing to understand about Etsy is that it is very easy for someone less reputable to set up shop and steal images from other designers, misrepresent the product being sold, and leave you with an unusable dress. Research the designer extensively. Read reviews, both the good and the bad. Look for consistency in their product images and overall style.

    5. Rent or purchase a used gown:

    Companies like Once Wed, Borrowing Magnolia, Still White, and Rent the Runway... all are resources for buying or renting used and even sometimes never worn gowns at a discount. These sites inspect and guarantee the gowns are legitimate (not knock-offs) and in good condition before putting them up for rent or sale, so you can feel confident knowing that you won't be getting a dress that is trashed. Many of these sites also have at-home try-on options.

    Photo by Heather Miller

    What to watch out for:

    1. Importers Disguised as Small Businesses or Independent Designers:

    These importers will masquerade as small independent designers and will sometimes even make false claims about where the garments are made. A true small, independent design business would be hard-pressed to have even 20 gowns in their repertoire with quick turnaround, so if you see 100+ unique designs, you can bet those are being sourced from a variety of factories overseas. A seller offering a bunch of color options is also likely sourcing from a factory. When shopping on Etsy, be wary of any shop boasting a ton of designs, colors, fabrics all available with only a few weeks turn around at a low price.

    2. Ultra Low Prices:

    If you see a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. You might get a great dress for a steal, but you may also be taking a gamble when it comes to quality or you may not even get the item you think you ordered. Ultra low prices generally indicate that the gowns are being imported from overseas and when it is not coming from a reputable distributor, there is no guarantee that the gown you get will be of decent quality or even the same dress you thought you were ordering.

    3. Ethical Concerns:

    While you may not have the budget to spend thousands on a dress, which is totally fine, it is important to understand that discount wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses are often made in sweatshops. While many garments sold in the US and UK are made in China, India, Bangladesh, etc... there is at least a little more oversight if you are buying through established brands and companies. When buying direct from these overseas sellers, there is less accountability for the worker's conditions and buying on price alone contributes to the race to the bottom that we see in the garment industry today.

    4. Knock-offs and Counterfeits:

    The internet is rife with designer knock-offs and counterfeits. Overseas factories that produce designer dresses have even been known to take the patterns, cut them in a similar (but cheaper) fabric, and sell them as the real thing at a significantly discounted price. This is stealing and it is super illegal and immoral. If you see a dress that is being advertised as a designer label gown but at a super low price, it is likely a counterfeit or stolen. In addition to the ethics concerns, counterfeit and stolen goods can be seized by customs, leaving you with no dress at all!

    Likewise, it is not cool to take a design and ask a dressmaker to copy it detail by detail just because the original is outside your budget. Please don't do that. It devalues the original designers work as well as the time and skill of the dressmaker you are asking to recreate it!

    Photo by Celia Michon

    The Intersection of Price and Value

    The fashion industry in general has some pretty major shortcomings for sure, and many of those shortcomings extend into bridal fashion. The best thing you can do is educate yourself and understand the intersection of price and value. Stick to trustworthy brands and support independent and local businesses when possible. Be skeptical, ask why garments are priced the way they are. Read reviews (all the reviews, not just the 5 star ones!). It is entirely possible to have a fantastic online shopping experience when looking for wedding fashions, you just have to do a little research to make sure the product you are getting is worth the money you are investing in it!


    About the Author: Erica Greenwold Reisen is the content editor of Bridechilla,  owner and wedding planner at Folie à Deux Events, and a former wedding gown designer with a BFA in Fashion Design. You can find her various projects online at Folie à Deux Events and Secularly Wed or chat with her in the Bridechilla Facebook Community!


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    Why Renting your Wedding Dress Makes Sense

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha
    Renting your wedding dress

    Buying a wedding dress (or jumpsuit or suit) is a big decision. More often than not these are one wear only beauties that will be shoved in a much-needed storage space, forgotten about until you move house. In this age of sharing lifts with strangers and holidaying in other people’s apartments, there are also a plethora of start-ups that have launched offering premium rental services for wedding attire, that if considered just may save you money, storage space and the headache of what the heck to do with all this stuff after your big day, (like the brides in this article, who said their 'something borrowed' was made a heck of a lot easier with a rented gown).

    Rent your wedding dress?

    Sure! Your wedding dress is probably the most expensive dress/outfit that you’ve ever purchased, and if you’ve experienced visiting a bridal salon on a limited budget, it can be a real challenge when your ‘dream dress’ is $5000 over your budget (you’ve got a budget right?).

    The cost per wear ratio of a wedding dress is pretty low, with the average bride wearing her gown for 6-8 hours, it doesn't give you a bunch of time to enjoy your big purchase in the long term.

    So what are the advantages to renting a wedding gown?
    • You can hire multiple gowns- costume change anyone!
    • You are spoilt for choice, wearing something that has just come off the runway for ¼ of the price
    • You can afford a designer gown that may be out of your price range
    • Dry cleaning costs are included in the rental price (just don’t trash the gown).
    • You can take advantage of a hire package and also rent your attire for other key moments of your wedding celebrations, like your bachelorette party and rehearsal dinner.

    Rent The Runway offers an incredible selection of dresses and attire choices that can easily be 'converted' to wedding dresses. I say converted as a way not physically converting the dress (don't do that, or you'll get to keep it and pay for it!), I mean more of a mind shift, to not needing your dress to be purchased in a wedding dress store, or be handmade to actually make it a wedding dress.

    Your wedding dress/jumpsuit/tutu, is whatever makes you glow, feel gorgeous and happy.​
    Wedding Dress

    Amber Gown by Nha Khanh

    Wedding Dress

    Tiered lace dress by Nicholas

    Wedding Dress

    Sugar Coat Dress by Allison Parris

    One detail I adore with Rent The Runway is the customer photos. On each listing, you can scroll through tens, sometimes hundreds of images of previous customers wearing the dress and read feedback and see how it fits, wears and looks on a variety of body shapes and skin tones. 

    Not looking for something long and 'wedding gowny'? 

    Vow to Be Chic have a collection of 'little White Dresses', a casual, comfortable option to wear on your wedding day, especially for a destination wedding or if you plan to tear up the dance floor at your reception. They have a big selection of fun and flirty ideas, including jumpsuits, cocktail dresses (which are great for a second dress or costume change to dance your ass off) or something more glam. All dresses pictured below can be rented for under $100. 

    Wedding Dress

    The Suzie by Erin Fetherston

    Wedding Dress

    Coco by Nicole Miller

    Wedding Dress

    Theia by Kaylee

    Renting wedding veils, Jewellery and accessories:

    The veil is probably the least re-worn purchase in your entire wedding budget. I mean they’re gorgeous but hardly day wear and somewhat hideously impractical for future use. Friend of the Bridechilla Podcast, Brittany Haas is the founder of Happily Ever Borrowed, a premiere online wedding shop that rents designer bridal accessories worldwide. Brittany works in fashion and has developed relationships with some of the most wanted wedding designers, such as Enchanted Atelier & Elizabeth Bower. She’s curated an exclusive collection of veils, tiaras, headpieces and jewellery to “frost yourself” on your special day. Wear it and send it back for another Bridechilla to adorn herself with! 

    Use the codeword BRIDECHILLA for free shipping with all of your orders from Happily Ever Borrowed. 

    Wedding Dress

    Ana Cathedral Veil

    ​

    Wedding Dress

    Blanca Crystal Hairpiece

    ​

    Wedding Dress

    Amaia Belt

    ​

    Be prepared, take all of your accessories to your trial

    Remember if you are wearing a veil or fabulous hair accessory take it with you to your hair and makeup trial to ensure that your hairdresser and makeup artist can experiment with how it will sit on the day and bring your look together. 

    Renting FTW

    ​The memories of your wedding day with be something that you can relieve via images and videos (and your brain) hopefully for years to come. We all know that costs can add up quickly and if you can save money and also time in the future (selling and cleaning dresses takes time), renting your wedding dress might be a great option for you. Take advantage of free shipping and try on trials that pop up regularly and make sure you know what you can and can't do to the garment while you are renting (e.g can you change the length?). Most companies include garment insurance which will help you out if any damage occurs during your rental process. 

    Have you or would you rent your wedding dress? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

    We know planning a wedding is complicated, so where do you begin? Right here.
    Download The Free Bridechilla Starter Pack. It contains all of the things I wished I had on hand when we were first got engaged.

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    Learning to Love My Wedding Dress

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    Bridechilla Chloe reached out to us to share her story. She was disappointed with the wedding dress that she chose, but the process was too far along to change her mind. So after a private cry, she started brainstorming ways to personalize her wedding day look and regain the love for her wedding dress.

    Proposal? Perfect.

    Ring? Heaven.

    Fiancée? My soul mate.

    Wedding planning? No, thanks.

    My fiancée and I got engaged in March 2016. At that point, we had been together six years already, and I knew very early on that I wanted to marry him. What I didn’t know was that I did not want to plan a wedding.

    It began with the obligatory post-proposal comments five minutes after we had shared our exciting news. Had we set a date? Was I going to be a vintage/modern/rustic/<insert adjective here> bride? What colour scheme had I chosen? Would my makeup complement the flowers and bring out the features of the room and make the Groom’s boutonniere POP! or accentuate the chair covers?

    Aside from wondering what the fuck a boutonniere was, I found all of these questions made me want to retreat, pay someone to organise everything and hibernate until the wedding day when I could show up, look pretty and have a good time.

    Not only was paying someone to do everything out of my budget, but I also have some Type-A ‘I-like-to-be-in-control-and-everything-perfect’ tendencies that would not cope well with outsourcing.

    So. I decided to start with the thing that I was most excited about… the dress.

    I was never the girl who had dreamed about her wedding dress, so I was open to trying on anything and everything to find the right dress for me. My only ‘essential’ was that I had to feel comfortable and everything else was up for grabs. I went to a ‘Meet the Designer’ day at a bridal boutique and tried on several dresses. That was when I saw a dress in the most fabulous fabric I had ever seen. Even though the style wasn’t quite right, I was able to work with the designer to create a dress using that material and in a style I knew would work for me. I felt boring. 

    My aforementioned Type-A personality was about to spontaneously combust at the thought of buying a dress I had never seen in full, but the designer drew the dress I envisaged, and I felt confident that I knew my style well enough for the dress to suit me.

    Fast forward six months and I went to try on the (almost complete) dress for the first time.As I stared at myself in the mirror while the zipper was being fastened, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of… blah.

    There was nothing wrong with the dress. I loved the fabric, the fit, the buttons and the train. The designer, the shop assistants and my mother flapped about telling me how beautiful I was, but I just couldn’t get on board.It just didn’t meet the vision and expectation of what I thought it would look like.

    No tears of joy, no visceral reaction to seeing myself in the dress I was going to be married in, just… nothing.

    So there I was, standing in the bridal boutique with the dress on, feeling sorry for myself while trying to smile and pretend I was over the moon and in love with the dress.

    ASOS BRIDAL High Neck Embellished Maxi Dress

    ASOS BRIDAL Embroidered Cami Mesh Maxi Dress

    If there were a Bridechilla test on what to do when you don’t like your dress, I would have passed this one with flying colours.

    Instead of losing my shit in the store, I went home and allowed myself a few hours of self-pity, chocolate eating and gracefully shedding a single tear ugly-crying in private. After a bit of self-reflection, I realised quickly that I needed to get over myself. I had accepted that I wasn’t getting a new dress unless I was willing to pay another small fortune, so I had to get creative about how I would fall in love with this dress and how I could feel a bit more like me when I wear it on my wedding day.

    Listen to a recent episode of Bridechilla, all about wedding dress stress

    Hair Style

    My hair is my thing. It always has been. It’s full of volume, does pretty much whatever you tell it to and my hairdressers seem to be obsessed with it. Most of the time, I have it up and out of my face and the day I tried the dress on was no different.

    While I had the idea that I would wear my hair up on my wedding day, the minute I let it down, it transformed the look of the dress. It framed my face and changed the look of the neckline that I was so disappointed with.

    Since trying the dress on again, I have decided to go with a half-up, half-down situation for the hair so that it is out of my face but has the ‘look’ that improves the dress.

    Tip 1 – Be open to experimenting with a different hairstyle! You may very well find that the look you had your heart set on actually doesn’t do you or your outfit justice.

    Talk to your hairdresser and get to know what is achievable for your hair and what would work for you, e.g. you would be disappointed if you paid $120 to have your hair styled into 1940s glamour waves only for them to drop 30 seconds after leaving the salon because your hair is too fine.

    Listen to the professionals!

    Also, listen to the advice of those you trust, to tell the truth about what suits you (not just those who have opinions and can’t keep them to themselves).

    Make Up

    I thought back to all the times I have had a bad hair or face day and what I do to give myself a bit of a szhoozh.

    My go-to is a red lip. It draws attention away from anything I am trying to pretend isn’t happening, such as birds nest hair or the eternal dark circles under my eye. While I haven’t decided if I’ll channel T-Swizzle on my wedding day, I know it’s an option that would make me feel fabulous and boost my confidence.

    Tip 2 – makeup can transform a look.

    Get fun and get creative with makeup but be true to your style. Whether it’s a winged eye, Kimmy K-style contouring or some pouty lips, don’t try anything that you haven’t tried before and that doesn’t feel like you.

    ASOS WEDDING MINI FLORAL VEIL HEADBAND

    ASOS WEDDING FLOWER BACK HAIR CROWN

    You don’t want to be looking back on your wedding in ten years’ time and ask yourself why you look like a clown.

    Accessories

    When I tried on my dress, I couldn’t help but think that something was missing. It is a beaded, structured masterpiece but it was still crying out for a lil’ something-something.I tried on a jewelled belt and statement earrings and found they transformed the look of the dress and made me feel a bit sassier and more like me. I could now see myself walking down the aisle in the dress with that belt and those earrings. They completed the look for me.The shop assistants at the bridal boutique almost fainted when I mentioned I was going to get married wearing flat shoes. But I haven’t worn a pair of heels for longer than an hour in a very long time. Why would I choose my wedding day to put myself through that kind of torture?

    Comfort is so important to me, so I have managed to find some sweet flats online that will both be comfortable and match the art-deco vibe of my dress.

    Badgley Mischka +Cara II Sandals

    Kate Spade New York Keds Glitter Sneakers

    Tip 3 – Have some fun with your accessories.

    If you are wearing white, accessories are the perfect way to incorporate some colour into your look for the day. If you are following the ‘something old, something new’ tradition, your ‘something blue’ could be shoes, a sash or belt, or even some jewellery.

    There is no need to go overboard with the accessories, though. Sometimes less is more, so consider how much you have going on around the top half of your dress before you add those earrings, that headpiece, a necklace and a veil.

    Amaia Belt from Happily Ever Borrowed

    Now, I am not saying that how you look is the most important thing about getting married. What is important is for me to feel like myself on my wedding day. After all, that’s who my fiancé fell in love with. So this is what I need to be at peace with the dress that didn’t make me cry tears of joy like they do in the TV shows.

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    Jenny Packham 2018 Bridal Collection at The Ritz

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    I was absolutely delighted to be invited to view Jenny Packham's 2018 Bridal collection at the iconic London Hotel The Ritz, as presented by friends of the Bridechilla Podcast, BrideBook. It was my first visit to the Ritz for a gal from Hobart Tasmania, I am happy to say that it was even more glamorous and classy than 'one would expect'. 

    Since its opening in 1906, The Ritz London has been a distinguished address in the heart of the city and the byword for luxury, elegance and service, playing host to royalty, aristocracy and stars of stage and screen. This was the very first blogger event held at the Ritz and I am sure never have their been a group of techy people, iphones out, filming every gorgeous detail, as there was at the Bridebook event!

    BrideBook founder Hamish Shephard hosted a Q&A with Jenny who shared some wonderful anecdotes on dressing celebrities and brides over her thirty-year design career. One of the UK’s most successful and independent fashion brands with global recognition, Jenny is renowned for her effortlessly elegant designs and that was very apparent in her 2018 Bridal collection.

    A huge thanks to our wonderful photographer, Philippa Gedge for capturing the day! It was truly a wonderful experience, filled to the brim with people I admire and without being overly gushy, I would wear everyone of these Jenny Packham beauties if my purse and the opportunity allowed! 

    ​The room was filled with absolutely stunning, bright floral arrangements by renowned London florist Paul Thomas. 

    Dare, Barley embellished gown.

    Crush, Ivory flock tulle ruffle gown.

    Beau, Crystal embellished tulle gown.

     Verity & Bloom, Ivory pearl and crystal embellished halter neck bodice and tulle skirt.

    Adorn, Scarlet flock tulle ruffle gown.

    Delicia & Bloom, Ivory embellished bodice and tulle skirt.

    Honour, Ivory embellished tulle gown.

    Jenny Packham and Hamish Shephard

    With my friend and regular Bridechilla Podcast guest Nova from Nubride.com

    To my left the gorgeous from Bridalmusings.com a Bridechilla Podcast favourite

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    Bridechilla Podcast

    268- Finding ‘The Dress’- Adventures in Wedding Dress Shopping

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    Finding ‘The one’, the dress (or pantsuit, or tutu) that you wear to your wedding, for some brides is a piece of cake. For others, it can feel like a test given by the wedding gods to challenge your mental health and make you question everything you ever believed about tulle. Some brides might have been dreaming about the details of their dress for years- although as you will hear in this episode, a lot of those ladies have a big change of heart when they try on the ‘dream dress’ and realise it isn’t ‘the one’ at all and thus begins the existential dress crisis.

    A really enjoyable and knowledge packed episode of the Bridechilla Podcast, featuring wedding dress buying experts Danielle and Taylor from The Wedding Shoppe who both worked for years ‘on the floor’ as wedding dress consultants and both have seen EVERYTHING...and more!

    LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

    TOP WEDDING DRESS BUYING TIPS

    Crowd Control

    When it comes to bringing people to a bridal appointment, how many is too many? We definitely recommend only bringing in the number of people you REALLY want to be there. For someone people, that may just be 1 person, whereas for others, that might be 11. It completely depends on the bride's personality and what she's comfortable with.A bride shouldn't feel obligated to bring everyone just because they want to go. Friends and family should be understanding that this is a rather intimate experience for most and the more opinions is not always better.As past consultants, we've seen brides come in with just her mom or maid-of-honor for the first appointment where she can narrow down her selection and then will bring the future mother-in-law, bridesmaids, etc, for a second appointment where she actually chooses a gown!

    Opinionated friends and relatives

    How should a bride handle the opinions of her guests? As consultants, we've seen everything from the over-opinionated Aunt Carol, to the timid Mother who won't express an opinion at all. We completely understand how influenced a bride can be by the opinions of others, but she needs to remember that this decision is ultimately up to her, as she'll be the one wearing it.

    How do you know if you've found 'The One'

    How do you know it's "the one"? That's a tricky question, since every bride reacts completely differently, but let's just say this -- It's totally okay not to cry!

    In fact, the majority of bride's we've seen don't have that super special moment where they break into tears or start jumping up and down in excitement. Some brides "just know" when they try on their dress and others have to go through a super long process of elimination, but our advice would be -- when you find a dress you love and it makes you feel comfortable and beautiful, get it.

    There are literally endless options of dresses out there and if your goal was to try on every single style, it would be never-ending.

    How do you know if you've found 'The One'

    Should I try on a dress that's out of budget? Please, don't. We obviously can't tell you what to do, but if you have a super strict budget, you should definitely stick to it! We've seen brides who have insisted on trying on a gown that was significantly over budget and of course, what happens? They fall in love with it.

    Unless you know that there is space in your budget, we definitely wouldn't suggest trying on anything that you can't reasonably pay for.

    Give it time!

    Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are bridal gowns. Be sure to plan ahead and shop for your attire well in advance. Because brides generally need 2 or 3 dress fittings, you’ll want to shop for your outfit about 8-12 months before your nuptials.

    It will take about 16-20 weeks for your gown to arrive after you place your order, so allowing ample time for shipping, alterations, and fittings is important. The earlier you start shopping, the less stressful the entire experience will be.

    THE WEDDING SHOPPE INC

    For over 40 years, the Wedding Shoppe has helped countless couples find their dream attire. Their large selection, unbeatable prices, and memorable customer service have helped them grow into a premier wedding retailer in Minnesota, and one of the largest bridal salons in the country. They’ve won numerous awards recognizing their expertise, but the Shoppe Stories are what keep them motivated and inspired. Visit and see for yourself!

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    Bridechilla BlogGuest Post

    Four Wedding Gowns & My Budget’s Funeral

    by Aleisha
    written by Aleisha

    By Bridechilla Jenn

    If the film rights to the story of my wedding planning were bought tomorrow, I’d highly recommend the title “Four wedding gowns & my budget’s funeral”.
    Four wedding gowns?
    Four wedding gowns.
    Let me explain. Dress one and two were bought online as budget driven purchases. When I started my dress search about 8 months ago, we had yet to book a venue but I knew, or at least I thought I knew, what I wanted, and importantly what I didn’t want. Strapless, ballgown, fishtail, corset backs and anything ‘shiny’ were absolute no go’s for me. Nothing that made me look too bridal. So after a little Pinterest browsing I narrowed down the ‘look’ to dresses with long, lace sleeves and an open back. I wasn’t interested in any particular designers and had no wish to visit any bridal shops. I was a budget bride on a mission and as luck would have it, I found a dress that checked all the boxes and for just over £150? Bargain!
    Blush coloured lace?
    Why not! And so it arrived and I felt pretty good about my purchase.
    But pretty soon the peachy tones began to bother me. It was pretty, but it didn’t really look like a wedding dress.

    Enter dress two

    One of Jenn's lucky four wedding gowns! 

    Another online purchase, with long lace sleeves but this time in white and at £100, I was sold. My friends agreed. Great!
    And still well within budget in spite of dress number one. Now at around this point, our wedding planning was getting into full swing. Our wedding venue had just been booked, I joined a wedding orientated Facebook group and for the first time started speaking to other brides, I had started browsing wedding blogs for ideas for colours and noting wedding supplier recommendations.
    Over time through osmosis or cosmic intervention I had unintentionally opened up my mental browser to a whole host of wedding dress styles.
    I think because I had closed down my dress criteria so early on, I had yet to explore any other options. Though I was pretty convinced that a ballgown would likely make my 5”3 frame appear as wide as I was tall. After a little Googling I began to realise if a dream dress happened to be designer, it could still work on a budget, if you knew where to look.

    Let me tell you about sample sale dresses. I own two. I’ll get to that in a moment. But via the website Preloved I learnt about a sample sale of designer dresses in a nearby bridal store. Here was my first taste of real life wedding dress shopping; being offered champagne, literally being put on a pedestal…and it wasn’t that bad.

    Here I found dress number three...

    For an ex-sample it was in pristine condition. This dress was luxurious and just a little bit sexy. Bridal, but in an unexpected way. 

    Now at this point I should of heeded the warnings to STOP LOOKING.
    When you meet the man you’re going to marry and he asks you and you say yes, you do not keep swiping right. You delete the app altogether and move on. You’re done. Right? But my guilty pleasure after work was to continue to browse through the beautiful wedding dresses in the sales online, partly to reassure myself that I had made the right decision. Looking back, it was probably because I was having doubts that I had chosen the right dress - a surprisingly common occurrence after doing a little online soul searching on my bridal Facebook group.
    So with no genuine intention of buying another dress I found myself at another bridal store sample sale. An acid test if you will. Purely to cleanse my system of wedding dresses and try on that ball gown and confirm that yes, they do make me look as wide as I am tall (I wasn’t wrong). What I didn’t expect was to get “that feeling” about a dress. A dress that had almost everything I said I didn’t want. That feely feeling that made the next 8 dresses (I have ninja changing skills when I need to) pale in comparison. Two more shop visits just to make sure, and that was that.

    Welcome to the dress party number four…

    What happened next? Well one and two have made several appearances on eBay. Three still hangs on the side of my wardrobe, it’s fate undecided. To sell or not to sell? Part of the reason I chose it was because it wasn’t so bridal that I thought with it shortened and dyed, it could pass for a beautiful evening dress to be worn again long after the
    “I do’s”.
    And now that we’ve relocated the wedding to Italy, a light, airy dress such as number three would be a blessing in the heat when it’s time to throw shapes on the dance floor. Although dress four is without doubt The Dress (and I no longer dress stalk the sample sales online by the way), dress four is big, four layers and a hooped skirt kind of big that would melt me into a puddle after a couple of minutes of vigorous dancing.
    I wouldn’t be the first bride to wear two wedding dresses. And although my inner budget bride can stand there pointing out the obvious; realistically I can afford it and even with the cost of alterations factored in, my two dresses still come in less than the cost of one brand new designer gown.
    But it’s all swings and roundabouts as they say.

    Another one of Jenn's lucky four wedding gowns!

    My friend recently got engaged and finds my story of the four wedding gowns amusing. A funny story for the grandkids it might be; there are still some pearls of wisdom to pass on to brides embarking on the dress hunt.
    One.
    Set your budget. Don’t go too extreme one way or the other and end up regretting your penny grabbing budget dress (or dresses) as I did.
    Two.
    Do a little research before hand. There are some good websites out there that are almost like catalogues of all the current seasons dresses with links to stockists. Knowledge is power!
    Three.
    Be open to trying on every kind of dress style, even that weird one with the tiers the shop assistant calls ‘the wild card’, you just never know. Wedding dress shopping is all about trial and error. Dress four has everything I told myself I didn't want.
    Four. Designer dress on a budget? Absolutely do-able.
    Sign up to the Instagram accounts, Facebook groups and mailing list of designers and local bridal stores to catch the sample sale alerts. Utilise preloved, second hand whatever you want to call it websites to find gowns at a fraction of the original price.This applies to accessories too (my ex-display bridal designer shoes came in at almost 80% off).
    And lastly, don’t be afraid of the B word. Bridal.

    ​

    Bridechilla Jenn is a  London based Doctor lucky groom who is marrying Art (short for Artem, short for Artemis - he's part Greek), in Italy, just outside Florence next July. Read more about their planning process here. 

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