Alyssa currently works in the Advertising Department at the Southeast Missourian. She has recently been swept into the world of wedding planning, but also enjoys reading, spending time with her fiance and their son, and traveling to historic places across the United States. She lives in Cape Girardeau with her family and two dogs....and on good days, two cats.

First a Question

Posted Monday, January 4, 2010, at 8:53 AM

Good Morning!

Monday always makes me think of the movie "Office Space" and Peter's co-worker who, shall we say, annoyingly makes the comment "Sounds like somebody has a case of the Mondays." Well, I do not have a case of the "Mondays" but I do want to pose a question before I blog.

How many of you purchased your dress first, before anything else? Looked for your dress first?

And, if you did, where did you go? A small boutique or a chain store selling bridal gowns?

How much of your total wedding budget did you spend? Tell me a little about your experience and I will be able to better gear my next blog towards you!

Happy Monday!

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I don't recall--because it's been 13 years--if I looked for/purchased my dress before booking a hall, getting a menu, etc.. But I can tell you how much it cost, $180.

I purchased my dress at a small, locally owned boutique. It was dark blue with see-through sleeves and back. I didn't see a point of a veil.

We didn't have a budget; when we got paid my husband-to-be and I bought items needed for the wedding. I remember paying a little every week for the park pavilion. I think my parents paid for the meats for the reception (roast beef and penne pasta with meat sauce.)

Mom and I made the floral arrangements; the cake was made by an aunt and decorated to look like a chess board. The toppers--what else?--the king and queen from a chess game.

Altogether I think we paid $2000, maybe less.

-- Posted by redpen on Tue, Jan 5, 2010, at 11:50 AM
I booked the church, the hall, and the caterer first and looked for my dress shortly thereafter. I went to David's Bridal because they had a sale. A designer dress wasn't important to me...I just wanted to look beautiful for my husband, and that doesn't require a dress that costs thousands. My dress was only about 5 percent of my budget. Having a good time with our family and friends was what was important to us.

-- Posted by amk on Tue, Jan 5, 2010, at 1:27 PM
I also booked the reception first and then went looking for the dress. I found it at Joy's in Sikeston for around $1,500.

-- Posted by bean84 on Tue, Jan 5, 2010, at 1:50 PM
As I said on your last post, I was able to make my dress by hand. It was so rewarding being able to see it come together, though I did have a few setbacks. I had to start over again after the sewing machine and I got into a little tussle and guess who won (hint, 14 stitches were needed)? lol

It was all worth it though when I saw myself in the mirror for the first time. Every once in a while, I'll sneak a peak at myself in the dress just to make sure I don't need to loose a few pounds (us girls have to always be ready, right)!

Anyhoo, just remember to keep your dress away from any pets, as my cats have a field day with the veil. Looking forward to hearing more.

-- Posted by NeverABride on Thu, Jan 7, 2010, at 12:41 AM
I got my dress from a medium size shop in SEMO because I tried David's Bridal and their dresses just didnt seem up to par. They also kept calling me which was very annoying, wanting to know when I was coming back and telling me I needed to make an appointment.

My mom bought my dress, so it was really a freebie in our budget of around $5,000.

I already had a few things for the reception (vases, napkins, punch bowl, etc.) but the dress came first.

Its Maggie Sotterro and just gorgeous!

As soon as I put it on, I told mom, thats it, Im am done. This is the one. Such a good feeling.

-- Posted by latergator80 on Fri, Jan 22, 2010, at 12:09 PM

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