J Crew Bridesmaid Dresses

After thinking long and hard, I decided to have a few bridesmaids. But I didn't want to burden them with a bunch of unnecessary costs- especially after the trip to Vegas!!! (more later) I'm sure everyone has a story involving a polyester nightmare bridesmaid dress, so I was determined to get attractive and potentially re- wearable dresses.

I looked online a little, and eventually settled on J Crew dresses. J Crew has a great selection of simple and re-wearable bridesmaids' dresses, and most importantly, they can be found on e-bay for less than 50 bucks! I originally found a great sale on the website- and unfortunately they did not have enough of the proper sizes. So instead of trying to find 5 identical styles in identical colors in the right sizes on e-bay, I am going to be a little different and have them wear all different shades of green. The dress style will be the same, but it comes in two different fabrics, and J Crew discontinues the colors each season, and comes out with slightly different ones. So the shades will be close, but none will be identical. It looks great in other bridal parties, and I like that they won't be matchy- matchy.

I have 3 of the dresses, and am on the look- out for 2 more. It has been a little stressful, but I wanted to do all I could to save them money! The actual dress is called "Sophia." The picture below looks like the sophia dress in the tricotine fabric, a smooth silk. The other fabric will be silk chiffon.

I have not yet decided on bouquets. I may have them carry feather fans, but I would have to start DIYing these immediately, or find some at a reasonable price online. What do you think- would you like this dress as a bridesmaid?

The DRESS!!!

After a loooooong and frustrating search, I found THE DRESS! I was very picky, and had quite a low budget at the beginning. ($400). But I just wouldn't pull the trigger on a dress in this price range. I had been looking at Pronovias, and there are some great deals on these dresses on e-bay. But I couldn't find any of my favorite from this post - the Pronovias Recova, or the Paula Varsalona gown. Also, I never even got to try on a dress that I had been salivating over on the Internet - Alvina Valenta 9658.


After I got out bid on a different Alvina dress, I contacted a wholesale bridal shop in Strongsville, OH, called Anything Bridal. They could have ordered my beloved Recova for only around $1200. The catch was that I was so late in ordering it would come in a few weeks before the wedding. What if something went wrong, or I needed extensive alterations. I was also second guessing myself. Plus, $1200? And I wasn't sure if I could resell this dress.


I went all out on the Internet looking for the 9658. I stalked this dress. I found a girl on the knot who wore this dress, found her e-mail, and asked her if she would sell it (no response). I know I must have sounded like a crazy person. I checked Preownedweddingdresses and OnceWed religiously. These are very good resources for a budget bride. I could tell you every popular dress and how much they go for at this point. The reason I was having so many problems was that this dress was from 2006, and that it cost $3000 brand new. I found one girl online selling her used one for $2800. I just couldn't buy it. It was too much for a used dress.


I checked every single city's Craigslist. Also a good idea - I found good deals on alot of other dresses. But not mine! After this long and frustrating search, I got an e-mail from someone telling me they had a sample of this dress, perfect condition, price of $2,000. I was almost in tears, I was so happy. I whipped out my credit card on the spot! It's way over my budget, and needs alterations, but I just wanted this dress so bad! I am planning on taking perfect care of it, and re-selling it after the wedding.


Without further ado, I give you my dress:

Have you gone over your budget for The One?

A Peacock Wedding!

Here is my inspiration board, so you can finally see what I decided on for decor:

Countdown...

Its been awhile readers... the past few months have been pretty stresfull and frustrating. Its down to the end now...

2 and half months before the wedding, and here is my to- do list:

1. Finish my registry (my shower is in 3 weeks...yikes!).
2. Finish purchasing the bridesmaids dresses off e-bay.
3. Buy my shoes (I'm lusting after J Crew green silk shoes).
4. Buy my birdcage veil.
5. Purchase peacock feathers to go in the invitations.
6. Get the invitations printed, address the envelopes, and mail them.
7. Finish buying the ostrich feathers for the centerpieces after getting my refund from the e-bay seller that ripped me off (let me know if you want to know who this seller was).
8. Figure out fans/ bouquets for the girls.
9. Finish buying the LED tea lights from the Christmas Tree Store.
10. Make sure the girl from the knot is still going to sell me her gold chargers.
11. Send pictures of hair and make- up to my cousin Mary who is doing said hair and make-up for me on the big day
12. Book the limo (must STOP procrastinating, I got an awesome rate 2 months ago and NEVER booked...)
13. Decide on cake - and subsequently buy cake stands
14. Figure out when I can go into the Courthouse with the caterer and DJ to finalize layout and logistics
15. Send wedding band ideas to our jeweller
16. Decide on honeymoon
17. Gifts for parents, bridal party, etc
18. Buy a tripod and out together faux photo booth
19. Decide on buying a camera or getting last minute videographer off Craigslist
20. Finish collecting wooden wine boxes and have my dad put together a card box
21. Order linens online (that's right, I'm buying them, its cheaper)
22. Buy some clothes to wear on my bachelorette part in VEGAS!!! woohooo
23. Finish collecting corks, and prepare them for place cards
24. Make a hair appt for highlights and brows, a dr appt...
25. TRY NOT TO LOSE MY MIND!

What have I actually gotten done since December...well I'll try to write a few posts, but I bought a dress, am having it altered, booked a DJ, asked bridesmaids, planned a trip to Vegas, had invites designed.... so I've been busy! I'm BACK