Chicago Wedding Dresses for Less

June 19, 2006

Oh, the challenge of finding a Chicago wedding dress for a price you can afford.  Some Chicago wedding dresses can cost upwards of $7,000.00 and a number of Chicago brides have a hard time coming up with that kind of dough.

I participate in a listserv called ChicWIT - Chicago chapter of Women. Insights. Technology- and a bride recently asked about finding a way to purchase a designer dress without having to pay the $3,500.00 retail price.

Here are the suggestions I offered her:

1) Try whiteCHICAGO - they sell new and used wedding dresses. The owner is a ChicWit member, too.  Link: http://www.whitechicago.com

2) Try eBay - I bought several items online at eBay, including my wedding veil.  They always have tons of dresses in their inventory from bridal shops that are looking to sell.

3) Chicago Reader - I recently posted a notice in my Wedding Chicago Blog for a Jim Hjelm dress worth $2,000.00 on sale for $150.00. Check the classified section of the Reader.

4) GownsOnline.com - I bought my own wedding dress online but the retailer is no longer in business.  I’ve only heard good things about this company.

5) Sample Sales at Marshall Fields, Bloomingdales, etc.  Sometimes these bridal shops are willing to sell their sample dresses at a reduced rate.  The only problem is that they might not be in the best shape because of wear & tear from other brides. 

6) If none of these suggestions work, consider hiring a seamstress to create a similar wedding dress.

Good luck with your search.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  I was able to my wedding dress for over $400.00 less than what the bridal shop wanted.  I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you.

Take care!

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