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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

£800....?! For a dress?

102 replies

Tilllly · 12/05/2023 16:13

DS getting married and I have just been to a shop that specialises in dresses for mother of the bride of mother of the groom

I suppose I should've been warned that you had to make an appointment, that this wasn't exactly going to be New Look!!

Put the cheapest dress I tried on was £800

Is that normal? Am I just being extremely tight fisted because I think £800 for a dress for a wedding is absolutely horrendous.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 12/05/2023 17:53

For that money, I would want something in lovely fabric, well made and altered to fit properly. And not so obviously MoB that I couldn't wear it again.

Elvis1956 · 12/05/2023 17:54

I've paid more than that for a suit. Go for the price per wear. £800 and wear it twice = £400 per wear. £800 and wear it 80 times = £10 per wear.

SurpriseSparDay · 12/05/2023 17:55

Just have a look at

Net-a-Porter

and

Matches Fashion

They both have an inexhaustible supply of very fine dresses, trouser suits and separates, from numerous designers, suitable for any occasion.

You honestly don’t have to wear the sort of thing you’ve seen on the internet under the label ‘MOB’!

ShyMaryEllen · 12/05/2023 17:56

I did the personal stylist (JL) when my son got married, and they were lovely. I had gained weight and felt frumpy, but the stylists were patient and kind, and I left with two dresses - one for the day and one for the evening party, as well as a decent bra that made all the difference to how they looked. I would absolutely recommend it.

HurryShadow · 12/05/2023 17:56

99victoria · 12/05/2023 17:10

I wore this to my son's wedding (before it was on sale - paid the whole £50 for it 😄). Got loads of compliments on it 🙂
https://www.roman.co.uk/textured-leaf-print-tiered-maxi-dress-14198034

My DM bought her wedding outfit from Roman too.

It's an unusual enough shop that not many people know of that it's unlikely that anyone else will be wearing the same thing.

My DM didn't want the traditional MOTB outfit so had beautiful chiffon trousers and a top - she looked great and it would have cost her less than £100.

TreesOutsideTheWindow · 12/05/2023 17:58

I will never wear a hideous mother of the bride dress. Just buy a nice outfit you like that is above your usual price range. Those kind of motb outfits are just hideous. Matching coat and dress and fascinator. Yuk!

Biscuitea · 12/05/2023 18:00

Request to join the pre-loved wedding and occasion outfits uk Facebook group run by Linda arnot who is fabulous Star. You’ll find something to your budget there. Lovely community too Smile

YoucancallmeKAREN · 12/05/2023 18:03

Ebay or vinted, outfits that have been worn once for a fraction of the price, some are even sold with the bag and hat.

BeefyWellington · 12/05/2023 18:04

My actual wedding dress was cheaper than £800!!

BeefyWellington · 12/05/2023 18:04

TreesOutsideTheWindow · 12/05/2023 17:58

I will never wear a hideous mother of the bride dress. Just buy a nice outfit you like that is above your usual price range. Those kind of motb outfits are just hideous. Matching coat and dress and fascinator. Yuk!

Also this!!!

Prettypaisleyslippers · 12/05/2023 18:06

£800! I didn’t even pay that for my (formal) wedding dress. Try house of Fraser

MaPaSpa · 12/05/2023 18:08

Could get a dress made new to measure by a tailor for half the price!

ChatterMonkey · 12/05/2023 18:09

I dont get it... you went into an expensive dress shop and were surprised that dresses were expensive....?

cheekyffer · 12/05/2023 18:09

Plus it will probably be £800 for something that has limited opportunities to wear. Some beautiful classic dresses will be available for much less and are probably much more wearable.

NetZeroZealot · 12/05/2023 18:09

Well it's a lot of money for a dress.

But MoB dress can come from any shop you like - it doesn't have to be a specialist retailer.

Where do you usually shop?

NetZeroZealot · 12/05/2023 18:10

You could also consider rental if you want a posh designer frock.

LlynTegid · 12/05/2023 18:11

You are normal OP. Hope you find something at a sensible price.

Nearamir · 12/05/2023 18:12

Weddings are just a licence to print money and all the suppliers know it. A (hopefully) once in a life time event, these days with everyone instagramming them, bridezillas galore. They know they can charge what they want.
Boycott the money grabbers and buy something beautiful from a non bride shop!!!

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 12/05/2023 18:13

I bought mils outfit for her to stop her turning up in a Per Una monstrosity (dh was panicking about the wedding photos & she had form)

Circa £400 for a Jacque Vert dress, jacket, fascinator, bag and shoes 12 years ago.

It’s the nicest she’s ever looked for a family event.

TrishTrix · 12/05/2023 18:14

Not sure how worried you are about a guest wearing the same thing - always a risk with the Hobbs/ Coast/ Phase 8/ Fenn Wright Manson ranges!

I have an amazing dress from Bombshell which I love and makes me feel fabulous. It was a bit more expensive than the high st retailers but a lot less than £800 and if you are concerned about duplicates I'd very willingly recommend looking there.

IKnowItsNotMine · 12/05/2023 18:15

I’d be looking in a Coast and Hobbs tomorrow morning x

HerMammy · 12/05/2023 18:15

"The MOB outfits' are bloody awful, who decided that MOB had to have a look, they look like rigid cardboard cutouts. Choose something that is your style and you feel great in.