The $75 Wedding Dress

I got engaged in June 2007 and I found my dress in July 2007. Most gals have a dream wedding dress in their mind since they were a little girl and are willing to pay lots of money to make that dream come true. I had no "little girl" dream of what my wedding dress would look like and I sure wasn't willing to spend a lot of money on a dress I would wear once! I always thought a resale dress would be just fine but I didn't think such a shop existed until I found Once Again Bridal in Clinton Township, MI http://www.onceagainbridal.com/

Before I visited this shop I went to the upscale shops and David's Bridal and every store presented me with accessory items I didn't want. I always felt that they were doing whatever it took to increase my vision of what I should like on my big day (and in the process get me to buy much more than I needed). I looked at dress prices at these stores and was shocked, it wasn't a fun experience.

However, when I went to Once Again Bridal I found 7 dresses I liked and all of them were in the $300 range. On the way to the fitting room there was a dress that caught my eye, but it was in another part of the store, close to the register. It was so beautiful, in a rich cream color (I didn't want a bright white dress because I have a fair complexion), it had sleeves (I didn't want strapless and that is what most expensive stores offered) it looked pretty but comfortable and it had a long train. I wondered if it was in my size and it was! I tried it on with all the other dresses to see how it looked.

I knew I could afford any of the dresses I brought into the dressing room, and gave each style a chance, but the one I liked best was the one I found on the way to the fitting room. I asked why that dress was on a rack away from the others and the lady mentioned that the dress was on their sale rack. (I didn't notice the sign hanging above the dresses) I looked at the price tag and it said $150!!! I couldn't believe it. I then asked her to show me veils and she brought me a beautiful veil that matched the dress perfectly. I thought I could only afford a short veil but she brought a fingertip veil that looked so dramatic, lovely and best of all AFFORDABLE. This was the first dress shop where they brought me what I wanted and didn't start adding accessory items randomly. I felt very respected and good about spending money in this store.

The best part of all is when my mom went to purchase the dress we discovered that the dress actually cost $75. (Everything on the rack was 1/2 off) My veil cost more than the dress, it was $80. I love that dress and I don't want to part with it but I know I'll never wear it again. I debated if I should try to sell it or hold onto it. For $75 it is worth keeping around and I don't think I would be saying that if I "invested" a large amount of money on a dress. I'm glad I get to keep it. Once Again Bridal is the best.

Here is a photo of me in the store for my final fitting: