When I got engaged, I had to come to terms that EVERYTHING would cost us $$$. But I did have some kind of control. Especially in the wedding dress department. And after doing a good ol’ fashion hunt for the dress, I thought I’d give you guys a list of places to hit.
Photo courtesy of bouncyboutique
-Nordstroms: I know, I know – it’s a big, bad mall type store in the midst of a lot of cool, local boutiques – but it’s where I bought my first option for under $300. The best part about Nordstroms is that it has been the only place where I didn’t feel like I was being attacked with, “OH HOW WONDERFUL EVERYTHING YOU TRY ON IS LIKE MAGIC AND BUTTERFLIES AND PLEASE BUY OUR STUFF I LOVE YOU!” They are simply there to help you and give you the options that you specify. My personal lady was quite helpful and was grateful for her assistance. And bonus – I can return it whenever I want, as long as I don’t wear it out.
-Pretty Parlor: This Capitol Hill favorite is a great little place to get your vintage on at pretty great prices. Plus, because it’s a bit more picked over compared to Red Light you don’t feel like you’re sifting through Elizabeth Taylor’s 50 closets. While they didn’t have anything I loved, I noticed all their prices were pretty fair.
-Velouria: I just love the owner in Ballard. After telling her a few months back what I was looking for whenever she sees me snooping in the window she comes out and says she just got more dresses in and remembered what I was searching for in a dress. Again, I haven’t found anything that screamed ME, and while her prices can be on the higher end sometimes if you go to the back there’s a sale rack that I could see many brides liking.
-All Saints: Right now they have quite a few white dresses and most of them are under $300. Unfortunately none of them quite fit me right (those darn Europeans with their funky sizings), but they were so simple, yet pretty that I want someone to wear this one or that one.
-Le Frock: Another place I would hit during lunch, just to see because there prices are fair, their clothes are hand picked to remove clutter and you can always find at least 3 things to try on.
-Xtabay Vintage: Alas, the place I ended up with THE WEDDING DRESS only took me a few hours to get to. That’s right, this Portland boutique was just absolutely perfect for me. Vintage, classy and best of all my dress was only $85!!! I couldn’t have been happier.
I really loved that I didn’t have to hit David’s once. Because honestly, there are so many other great stores you can go to if you’re looking for something a little non-traditional – from Anthropology’s latest line to Diva Dollz to J.Crew to Etsy to The Frock Shop. So if you don’t have thousands of dollars to blow on a dress you might only wear once or rather, you rather save that money for your future with your husband and buy a dress you’d like to wear again and again (like me), then these places could be a great starting point.
