Why I'm Dreading Wedding Dress Shopping

Guys, I thought I would have a fun time looking for my wedding dress.

I'm flipping out.

Why?  Because of my &$%-&$^@ expensive taste! XP

What do I like?
Texture

  Dimensional lace

  Unique

What does every budget dress look like?!?

Meh.  Simple and streamlined I am not.

Yes, I mentioned the eBay dresses before, but now that I'm doing more research, I have found that these are just "inspiration" photographs, and not what really comes shipped to your home.

There are some great sites here and here where you can see the difference...

Nice, but not the same...

I mean I could try out eBay and see what happens, I have enough time, I'm just worried that they can't do the complicated things I would want in a gown.

So my next step is researching these knock-off sellers and see if any have more positive reviews than most, try them out, and if it doesn't work out, go to plan B.

What's plan B?

A LOT of research.

Plan B is searching on Craigslist, eBay, WeddingBee Classifieds, BravoBride, RecycledBride, sample sales, etc. to find that one used or sample gown that is going for a reasonable enough price.

Like finding a needle in a haystack my friends.

So now I'm incredibly deflated...and getting a headache :p

I mean why does the WIC (Wedding Industrial Complex) have to be this way? Any white prom gown costs *more* than the same thing colored would be.  All wedding dresses are labeled as "affordable" if they're less than $1K.

Sometimes this seems like the cheaper option...

You what I think is affordable? $250
Highest price? $400, and it BETTER look like the dress from the Gods! ):<

I'm starting to feel that I can't escape this wedding budget blunder...yes, my mom IS going to pay for the dress, but it's just the damn principle of the thing!  I don't want anyone to pay more than $400 for a one-day deal for me.  And that's that.

And is it my fault that I like a little style???

Meh, maybe my new edition of Bridal Bargains can help me :P

Hopefully my dress ideas start becoming a bit clearer and the dress will come to me...but I think it will be playing hard to get.

Wish me luck <3

An Affordable Wedding Book Every Bride MUST Have

Okay, I checked out the 9th edition of Bridal Bargains from my local library,

(Great money saving tip: Check out as many recent wedding books and magazines you can from your local library for free!)read only up to page 40, and I am already thoroughly convinced that I will buy the newest edition if I ever get engaged.

This. book. is. gold.

It's down-to-earth, tells you like it is, no fuss, no games. If you have any intentions on saving money on your wedding budget, YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK! Read the whole thing, and then carry it around with you everywhere!

These authors really know what they're talking about, and they mention all the little things that even I wouldn't have thought of, but are fundamentally important, such as using a credit card for all your wedding purchases to protect your investment. Apparently most credit card purchases above $50 or more within certain restrictions are protected by law. I didn't know this, probably due to my lack of a real generic credit card :P But that's another story XD

They also will help you debunk lots of myths the Wedding Industrial Complex wants you to believe in order to help their bottom line. It's harsh but it's true! It will tell you what to avoid and where to go for lots of lovely wedding necessities.

In other words, it's awesome!

But enough of me blabbing about the book's content, go read for yourself!

(Perhaps I should put a disclaimer after each of these almost-an-advertisement posts, no one is paying me for any endorsements you find in my blog, (sadly, lol) this is just my personal, albeit strong, opinion. XD)