Thread: Ordering wedding dresses versus BD costumes

I was just reading a book 'Bridal Gown Guide" that listed all the scams and problems brides run into when ordering a gown. For instance, alterations, sample gowns, loose beading, different size charts, and wait time. For those of you who have custom ordered your outfits, do you see any similiarities to wedding gown orders. Just curious.

Edna

One similarity I can think of is that, even if you order the right size, it's still likely going to need several alterations for it to look just right.

From what I've read, most wedding dress prices make dance costumes look cheap by comparison.

my first thought was, no! it's not at all the same. but then I realized, in a lot of cases, it's quite similar.

with a wedding dress: you go to a bridal salon, see a gown you like, try it on, even though it's probably not your size. they take your measurements, you give a downpayment, and then wait for several months for your gown to come in. you can use the in-store alterations for big $$$, or find someone on your own and save some money. or, you find a gown you like online, order it without ever seeing one in person, and order it and hope for the best. or, you see a gown you like in a shop, find the dress at a discounter online and order it that way.

with a costume: you go to a hafla and see a costume style you like and try it on, even though it might not be your size or color. you order one from the vendor, wait for several months for it to come in, and move the hooks and straps yourself or pay a seamstress to do it for you. same deal if you see a costume on somebody or find one online.

you need to do your research and know what you're buying. with reputable designers (say, amsale or vera wang, pharaonics or bella) you can feel safe with the quality of what you're getting - and you'll pay for it. if you go a step down (david's bridal, hanan), you'll be pretty safe getting a nice costume at a good price. below that (online discounters, turkish airport specials) it can be easy for the novice to be hoodwinked into getting something that's poor quality.

with bellydance costumes, there aren't really the bridal industry money suck issues: wedding dresses have extreme emotional and social values that you get drawn into, once you have the dress you feel that you need to purchase the ridiculously expensive accessories like veils, purses, shoes & underthings, wedding shops can take advantage of you by implying that going with an independent seamstress isn't safe. with a costume, they come with everything you need usually, so no other upsells. plus you get to wear them more than once. and have more than one. ;)

Wow Elisa that was a great tip!

I am planning my wedding as we speak and was just looking for information on here.

See, there are advantages to designing and making your own - both wedding dresses AND costumes!

{{{HUGS}}}

Wow. I hadn't realized the similarities were so extensive.

Originally Posted by catwomyn

From what I've read, most wedding dress prices make dance costumes look cheap by comparison.

And dance costumes make a lot of wedding dresses look plain, by comparison, too

Originally Posted by tink

Wow. I hadn't realized the similarities were so extensive.

And the best part is that we'll wear our costumes more than once!

Originally Posted by Zyzzyva

And the best part is that we'll wear our costumes more than once!

And they have resale value!

also keep in mind that anything that is custom needs to be fitted multiple times. Be it costume or bridal. Anytime you buy anything that is custom without trying it on first you are going to have to alter it. I usually do at least 3-4 fittings with my customers in town and 1-2 fittings via mail for my out of town internet customers. And even then it might require more attention if it is unusual or you are hard to fit.
I think you will extremely pleased in the long run with a custom design instead of a ready to wear. And if you find a good seamstress she should be able to personalize it for you in some way.

It would be cool to make a wedding dress that is basically a costume dress without the fringe. The heavy beading, the vavavoom bra. Then when you got married, you can make the midsection sheer or remove it, add fringe and have a cool white costume.