Reddit mentions: The best wedding dresses

I feel your pain! I've been scouring the internet for formal dresses the last month or so myself, due to some upcoming military events, and a couple benefits galas. My criteria is pretty similar to yours - ideally affordable (under $100,) something I could wear a normal or strapless bra or practical bra alternative with, and (for me) must ship to Canada. The dresses I need can't be "prom styled," so no fully backless options, no deep cleavage, no cut-outs, no high-low hems, no hip high slits; I gotta' wear these dresses in front of non-profit board members, and my husbands superiors, after all. I also need at least three dresses total, and plan on wearing two of those dresses at least twice, so I've been keeping my eye on quality.

I've had a surprising amount of luck in the past with Amazon, and it's the first place I check nowadays. I rely completely on reviews with LOTS of pictures, and the sellers have to offer custom sizing. (I also run the listing link through FakeSpot - a review checker recommended to me by a user on r/buyitforlife to help wade through fake/paid reviews.)



Some options I've found on Amazon so far that I am seriously considering are:

Honey Qiao Sequined Off-Shoulder Dress

Topdress Mermaid Lace Applique Gown This one has a sheer back, but you should be able to request a panel be added underneath the sheer, to either just cover your bra band, or from the top of the bra band down.

YORFORMALS Halter A-Line Satin Gown with Pockets

SOLOVEDRESS Sequined Mermaid Dress with Cap Sleeve and Cowl This dress is one that you absolutely can wear a regular bra with, but depending on how high you wear your band, you may need to use fashion tape or a couple tacking stitches to guarantee your band doesn't show.

SOLOVEDRESS Sequined Mermaid Dress with Court Train This one is currently my favourite, though I would likely have the train shortened.



For underpinnings, I'm looking at wearing a strapless girdle/fajas just to help support my back from my chest weight, and my strapless Freya Deco bra or PerkyPears, a taping option that goes up to a G.

Additionally, don't hesitate to check out MUISOL and Ever Pretty on Amazon as well. They are apparently bust-friendly Amazon brands, and have been highly recommended in the subreddit a few times!

Long post, I know, but hopefully it can be of some help to you! Best of luck!

Would you mind telling us what you are looking for? Like: (no) lace, (no) straps / sleeves, length, price? I'd be happy to suggest dresses, but without having any whatsoever idea what you like it's impossible.

There are quite a few online stores you may want to check out:

• Amazon has nice, cheap dresses. for example:
  
  • dress #1
    
  • dress #2
    
  • dress #3
    
  • dress #4
    
  • dress #5
    
  • dress #6
    
• Ever-Pretty
  
• Lulus
  
• Chi Chi London
  
• Chotronette (nice and unique dresses, but not exactly super cheap)
  
• Etsy, esp. LaceMarry and VickyMermaidBridal
  
  Amazon will let you return anything you don't like,
  
  If you want to purchase your wedding dress in a brick and mortar store:
  
• David's Bridal will have some options.
  
• You will find dresses at large department stores like JC Penney's, Nordstrom and Macy's, too.
  
• Also check out Prom dress shops, like Deb's or Windsor.
  
• Last, and definitely not least, go to outlets like TJ Maxx and Ross's.
  
  Good luck!

Honestly, if you’re comfortable ordering online, try Amazon. I ordered two dresses (due to the low price) and emailed the seller with my precise measurements and they came out beautifully, genuinely even better quality than they look on the model in the picture and fit perfectly. I have measurements that don’t really fit the standard dress sizing chart (33-23-39.5) so I’m sure they’d be able to accommodate your size!

Here are the dresses I ordered:

dress 1
$175

dress 2
$125

Just be mindful that it can take up to two months to receive, unless you have the option to expedite the shipping.

They're all from different places, some I'm not sure I can find, but I've posted what I could!

My goal was to have all of the girls find dresses in budgets they were comfortable with and in styles that made them feel beautiful. I think it really worked out well, we got so many compliments on our bridesmaids!

From left to Right:

1, this was from the bridal boutique I went to, Tamzen's Bridal.

2

3, RENTAL!

4, UNDER $70!

5 not exactly, but similar and from the same shop

6, RENTAL!

7, Under $50!

8, Under $100 from Amazon, couldn't find the exact one

It was this one but it looked nothing like the picture. It didn't have a lot of reviews either but I decided to risk it. It looked super cheap and instead of nice lace it had his weird lace and cheap sequins. It was also just a zipper in the back and I should've just bought the one with the most reviews first.

My advice, after looking at so many, check out the reviews and customer photos. You can really see if it looks like the original and go from there.
I was also debating between this and this.
I didn't really have a set style I was looking for so I seriously debating buying all 4 and then returning the dresses I didn't like but decided on the first one (which was terrible) and then decided for $79 the second one would work.
Hope you find one you like!

Hi there, it sucks when other people have to pay for your wedding, I totally understand you. I'd really try to work out the thing about the dress, maybe get separates, a lovely lace top and a long overlay skirt for the ceremony and then you can take it off for dancing! You could actually justify it that way! try setting up a 50's inspired dance and get good use of the band? I think Etsy is a good place to look for custom dresses, some options are pretty affordable too, here're some expamples this one or maybe this, here's another one from Amazon and they say they can customize!

ITS $60 RIGHT NOW!! Here’s the link Likedpage Women's Lace Mermaid Bridal Wedding Dresses White US4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ALH89M2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ojzYDbXCF5RH8

Personally I think the dress fit true to size. Normal size, not “wedding size” I’m a size 4 so that’s what I got. I had the front hemmed, snap added to the back panel, & a bustle. I got so many complements and LOVED telling everyone the price!

Also my maid of honors dress was from Amazon!

Hi, the cover of one of the wedding magizines had a beautiful white and blue dress. If I find it I'll link a picture. That said, go for it. It's prom season now, you could look at prom and quincinera dresses in your color. They will be cheaper because they are not wedding, and still damn fancy. Anything but drab. Just do your guests a favor and let them know if you are wearing a non traditional color and don't want anyone else wearing your color.

TaYan Women's Prom Ball Gowns Beaded Sweet 16 Long Quinceanera Dresses 4 US Royal Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BBQW4FA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bM9nzb5PRRP12

Erosebridal Long Prom Dress Tulle Sweetheart Beaded Quinceanera Dress US 2 Royal Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EWBVLD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0M9nzbCZS0V4N

Sarahbridal Senior Prom Dresses Long Chiffon Ball Bridesmaid Gowns Beading Royal Blue US16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGLQJUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZP9nzbNQ83BNJ

I've heard some dodgy things about cheap online dress stores (not honoring returns, pulling shady business with shipping fees, etc). I wound up getting mine for $30 off amazon, I love it, but I was also not going for a formal-bridal-gown look. I'd recommend looking for dresses that are the style you like and come in many colors - fancy white dresses tend to look bridal just by their nature. Amazon link for the curious:
https://www.amazon.com/MUXXN-Womens-1950s-Shoulder-Cocktail/dp/B0185SKMWE

I think that dress looks absolutely STUNNING on you. Like OMG as soon as I saw it, I opened this thread without even reading the title.

If you are stuck on the price, look online and see if you can find a used version that is cheaper. If you can't, then think about how much you could recoup if you were to resell it on Tradesy or on PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. I believe the less alterations you have to it, and the cleaner the condition, the more you can get for it.

My friend, who recently wed in April, found a dress she loved in person and was priced at around a grand. We found it online, used, for about half the cost and when she got it, she didn't even need to have it cleaned.

Also... this is something interesting. It looks like David's Bridal has a store on Amazon, and I found the dress on there. It's the same price, BUT if you have an Amazon card you could get 5% back since it's a purchase through Amazon, and then still consider reselling afterwards: https://www.amazon.com/Cassini-Wedding-Dress-Appliques-CWG749/dp/B01H3X9LSI

You're in luck, I'm really bored at work and like to shop. I'm 6'1 so I feel you on challenging shopping situations lol.

I think you should go with non maternity with loose over the belly since you say "it's not a bump of any kind" yet. 13 weeks is early for a bump anyway. You can still take "bump photos" in this by holding below your stomach and it'll be smoother since the fabric is loose.

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if you're open to full length

great shape on you & easy to wear a real bra :)

i've worn one of these before & they're insanely versatile. look up youtube videos on the million ways you can tie it. you can also have a tailor cut to your desired length, as its all raw edge spandex anyway

if you're feeling something tighter this is AMAZING. poor reviews because you need to size up. there's a woman in the reviews that is your size and ordered 3x and she looks incredible

super formal, also full length

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with...

maternity spanx , probably would not do regular because you need the belly space for baby

if it's going to be cold something like this or this

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please return with pics, can't wait to see what you wear! oh and also, notice all my links are for amazon. i recommend you pick out a bunch of things to try on, then send back the rest given prime is so easy. i just ordered from asos and it took a week and a half to arrive. so unfortunately i think its too late for asos unless you expedite the shipping.

I would recommend amazon. You can get into a rabbit hole once you know exactly what you’re looking for. Just make sure to check reviews.

A friend of mine wore this dress and loved it! It is a little more formal but it was lovely and in budget for her.

Here’s some currently in my save list if it helps anyone else out! Honestly most of these are same quality of any other sites from overseas but the customer photos and reviews really help differentiate which are WORTH buying.

Boho style mermaid dress $239-$245

Another boho lace dress mermaid style with pockets, $130

Sweetheart, lace, mermaid $100

V neck satin ball gown with pockets $89

Mermaid style with attached cape $118

Strapless satin ball gown with pockets $80

Corset back strapless satin ball gown $74

I happened to be on amazon and came across this. Might be worth looking at, it has great reviews and the pictures in the reviews are promising!
https://www.amazon.com/Ikerenwedding-Womens-V-Neck-Wedding-Dresses/dp/B017YFMC3Q/ref=sr_1_41?keywords=wedding+gown&qid=1554472526&s=gateway&sr=8-41

I got mine on amazon and loved it.
I debated between this one, too.

Sorry I’m on mobile but here’s the link!


dress!