How much will you spend on your Wedding gowns?

[yomeishu]

Just wondering how many brides are willing to spend few thousand on their wedding gowns?

I am doing ala carte for my wedding gowns. I didn't really bother on gowns yet after I tried Vera Wang collection. I really like it. But their gowns are more than $10000 and the one I tried cost me $14000. Another bridal shop willing to do MTM for me and the cost is much more cheaper. But I don't know about their skills, Im worried the gowns turn out are not what I expected.

I do not have any budget constrain yet Im dilemma coz I will only wear the gown once in my life, am I going to spend such money?

need constructive advise or any of your experience to share with me

 

[carebearz]

Personally, I don't think Vera Wang gowns are worth the money. Take away the label, and they certainly aren't worth the money.
Besides, Vera Wang gowns are 'mass-produced', you can't really customize the designs unless you're a VIP or celebrity.

A lot of bridal shops can do Vera Wang style of gowns at much lower cost. Take for example, Michelle Huimin or Tan Yoong. They belong to the higher end bridal shops but at least it will probably cost like $5000 and onwards which is still a significant reduction from Vera Wang's prices.

I got my gowns at around $7000 without any photography, 1 WG, EG and tuxedo for my hubby. All are made to measure. And I kept all my gowns.

True I may never wear the gowns again and many of my friends said I'm stupid to pay that much to keep the gowns. But hey, it's my wedding and my money. If I wanna buy the gowns and keep them hidden in some corner, that's my problem.

At the end of the day, it's my memory and not theirs. You can be sure I didn't invite those friends to my wedding!

Sometimes, not everything can be measured in dollars and cents. I find Sporeans do tend to attach too much monetary value to things. If you have to rationalise over everything little item about your wedding, then it means you can't afford that particular item. So don't get it, as simple as that.

Like if you know your budget can only get you a 4-star hotel then why go email the 5 star hotels for their banquet packages just to get a kick? And when you know that you can't afford them, you'll be like wishful for the rest of your life. I've seen many couples gone through it and quarrelling over such matters.

So if you really like Vera Wang gowns and can afford it, then get them. Don't let anyone dissuade you otherwise. After all, it's YOUR wedding.

 

[flowerbride]

I do prefer MTM gowns as they are specially designed for me and fits my personality. I go to Ted Collections and have 3 gowns made at $3k which is very affordable. My colleagues deemed my gowns to be very expensive and gave me a lecture and reminded me tat I wont wear again, even if I wan to sell, they are not worth much. Oh please! I can afford it and I dont feel the pinch, I dont go into debt to prepare my wedding nor borrow $ from anyone. Why should they bother.

When they heard that I have a 50 tables banquet - one of them remarked tat I need not invite people who are not close to us. She only has just 5 tables each on each side of the family and they do it on seperate days. She cant understand why Sporeans have to hold their weddings together on the same day and get both sides of the family to meet. Just 5 tables at a local restaurant will suffice. Gosh, what a seriously k-poh woman. I dont have a 50 tables banquet because of 'face issue'. In fact mY FIL initially wanted us to hold 60-80 tables for all his business acquitances but I refused as I think it's pointless when I dont even know them.

Seriously, there are many people who likes to give their unsolicted comments. Since you can afford a Vera Wang gown and you do like a Vera Wang - just got for it! The gown should give u joy and since we are going to wear it once, why not! Considering we have spent so much on the other preparations. I cant afford a Vera Wang, so I never bother to check it out. I make do with what I can afford.

Do not bother with what others think. I do observe that people make those comments because they do not have the same expectations or the means, so they make me feel like a fool for spending so much, to rationalise why they didnt make their weddings more grand. I'm sure, if they could, they would have done their weddings differently too. There are ppl who have the means but think the wedding should be simple and need not spend so much, that's fine too. To each its own, just dont force their views on others.

So my bottomline is, if you can afford it, by all means get the things you want. You need not be ashamed that you can afford a Vera Wang. It's pointless if u like Vera Wang and can afford it but decide to get something cheaper (but u may not love as much) but people may like you more cos u didnt spend so much on a gown. If you end up hating it, then u will go and buy Vera Wang, u will spend even more. If I can afford a Vera Wang, if it fits me perfectly and the gown is totally perfect, I'm unlikely to get the bridal boutique to replicate for me. Just like there's bound to be a difference between a real chanel and a replica.

But really, do what makes you happy.

 

[yomeishu]

thanks for both of your advise. I like Vera Wang's gown is main because of their design. A friend of mine who is a fashion designer told me that I can copy the design. After all it's just a branded gown. She told me it's the tailor who cut and sew the gown for u more important than a designer who draft your gown. She said design is very subjective.

Flowerbride, when did u make yr 3 gowns at Ted wu? I thought 3k is very reasonable for 3 MTM gowns =)

 

[yomeishu]

carebear, where did u make your gowns?

 

[pinkglove]

carebearz & flowerbride: Totally agree with e both of u! If u can afford e stuff u like n it's not like having to run into debts, why shld others be bothered & give discouraging comments. Everyone has a different priority in life n not everyone needs to find stuff that is most value for $. my gowns r $4k+ without photography n am gg for overseas PS, i hate it when pple say stuff like, wah,so rich ah..come on, it's not like i really need to b ultra rich to afford such stuff.. It's within me n my fiance's means n we're comfortable spending it. and these pple who said that to me are def not those who can't afford,it's just tat they're willing to spend on diff items. E.g. they willing spend on big cars.

So qwerty, go with ur heart n do what makes u happy e most esp when budget's not a constraint n i tink flowerbride wrote ted collections, not ted wu...

 

[peanutslim]

dear all- chanced upon your message while i am surfing on the internet. basically i am also in a dilemma - not sure if i should get something off the rack, that is to find something that suits me before i sign with the bridal guys OR I should go for a made to measure tell them exactly what i one and pray them somehow i will look good in it! verawang dresses are really beautiful but i am just worried if the final product is what i want!

flowerbride - will u recommend ted wu? if yes can let me know who to look for? i think 3k for 3 dresses are very affordable.

thanks to all

 

[yomeishu]

hi peanutslim, you mean your package with ted is 3k for 3 gowns? if so, that's very good price! His gowns are very nicely done, the workmanship really no doubts =)

 

[yomeishu]

oh sorry, l think ted wu and ted collection are different

 

[yomeishu]

hi pinkglove, thanks for ur advice too. you are absolutely right that those ppl keep asking like..wah so rich...etc...quite annoying too. Actually l did visit other designer bridal like amanda lee, tan yoong and ted wu.. l am really impressed by their workmanship, design and their consultation..very different from those traditional bridal shop

now only need to make the decision

And, l got a common advice from the experts that is they told me that VW's gowns are mass produced so it's not really customized for me like what carebear posted in this thread

To be honest, after visited ted wu, tan yoong and aml. l am quite certain on what lm looking for. Thank u all for the advice

 

[thiasy]

I couldn't find a suitable wedding gown in my bridal studio in JB, so custom made my wedding gown with the online store. Cost me S$320 + $50 postage = $370. Just received my gown yesterday and decided to share it here. hehehe... V nice and fitting. Got alot of beads and embroidery, but camera too lousy. so cannot see. hehe.. Added on the pink ribbon to be in line with my pink theme. hehehe... Hope to be a pinkish princess bride this Oct! hehehe...

 

[enid]

Hi, I have a vera wang diana inspired gown for sale. http://www.singaporebrides.com/forumboard/messages/153856/1542009.html?1289654168

 

[1112bride]

Hi Ladies, need your advice.. Which is better?

1) Go for designer boutiques n pay separate cost for Pre Wedding PS etc. Cost est about $5K with photo frame and nice photo album?

2) Take a Wedding Package from BS.

 

[megal]

Personally, I don't really like the one stop BS. I find them too pushy. I have a friend who is a fantastic photographer, so I will probably get my gowns and photography separate.

Ted Wu gowns are really really nice. But definitely out of my budget. Ultimately, I guess you will need to decide on something within your budget and a designer that you are very comfortable with. Just have a look at their gowns and go with gut feel.

 

[junio]

Amanda Lee Wedding is good!

 

[megal]

Yes. I quite like Miah. Still deciding on which BS I should go with.

 

[junio]

I am with MIAH and my wedding is just over.. i am soo in love with my gown.. still deciding to buy it over or not!

 

[megal]

Jun - who was your makeup artist? Did you go MTM with Miah? Or OTR? How is their OTR gown collection?

On congrats on becoming a Mrs!!

 

[junio]

My make up artist is Sophia. She is goood. i did MTM wedding n evening gown with miah. now i feel like buying them over. the only gown that make me glow. no regret. all my guest said i look stunning.

thanks you.. enjoy the process

 

[dorvino]

I had the same dilemma when I was deciding on the gowns.

End up I went to a MTM shop, called Swaggers Couture to custom made my gowns and my fiance suits.
Blog is here: https://horribleswaggerscouture.wordpress.com/

The owner cum designer is called Eddie Ang. Not only he kept delaying fittings, he committed the delivery dates but failed to deliver a gown and a suit! We need it for pre-wedding photography in Paris. I was going crazy! I found a gown to replace the one he could not deliver, he agreed to compensate and pay for the rental. Gave us a cheque that bounced not once, but twice! Told us to go to his shop to collect cash, and when we got there, the shop was closed and locked. He wasn't there! Best right!

We paid him $4,500 which includes actual day make up, kua, bouquet and car deco. Now want to cancel the package with him but he MIA. Total waste of money and time, and created nothing but nightmare for us.

So, my experience is - unless you know the designer well and can already see the quality, otherwise it is better to go for OTR. What you see is what you get, and not having to get a nasty surprise when the gowns turned out ugly!