Would I be stupid to buy a wedding dress from this site?

[BustleInYourHedgerow]

I cannot afford one from a shop. These seem nice, and a bit of quick googling shows positive comments on bridal sites etc.

But I only trust the opinions of wise MNetters. So, any thoughts?

linky

I've never heard of that site. I'm looking at one on ebay shop cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ivory-lilac-embroidered-wedding-dress-20-22-24-white-/300432310564?pt=UK_Wedding_Clothing&var=&hash=item8bb2e8750d
This is the one i'm considering

They look ok to me, I'm not wise though

Am not a wise one! But check things like returns policy, $-£ conversion rates, postage rates and import taxes. It's a couple of years since I was wedding dress shopping, but I found that things I liked pictures of didn't look right on, and I ended up falling in love with something I wouldn't have considered looking at it flat/in a picture, but it fit so well.
I guess what I'm saying is try to find somewhere you can try similar things on to make sure you end up with something you will love/want to wear.

OTOH I do love the one Unicorn linked to above!

Hmmm. These cheap wedding dress sites are usually too good to be true, from what I've heard. I really wouldn't risk it, TBH.

Why don't you look at some of the sites where people sell their worn wedding dresses, like Preloved?

Maybe chase down Reality - she ordered her dress from an eBay seller in China or something - was very reasonably priced and made to measure.

Or see the Barganacious Wedding Dress thread in S&B - pretty things from Phase Eight

i made my dress myself and the fabric cost more than those dresses! i wouldn't if i were you

I've known a few people who have ordered from these sort of sites (mainly ones in China on ebay) and they have all been happy with them.

As long as you aware that you are not getting a "designer" dress (i.e. the dressmakers are copying a dress and it may not be quite as well made/use the same fabrics as the ones in the bridal shops), then you should be fine.

Honestly? Yes. Wedding forums are full of horror stories about the Chinese company you've mentioned (and another called Milly bridal) as the dresses frequently arrive badly made, badly fitting, and with horrible shoddy fabric. But you shouldn't be surprised really, because you just can't expect to get a custom made dress THAT cheap and for it to be good quality.

If you are on a budget, then you have plenty of better options - second hand, Monsoon, etc.

My niece ordered a dress from lightinthebox for her dinner/dance and it was lovely. My Aunty did get hit with a big customs bill several weeks later though which didn't make it quite such a bargain.

I got my dress on ebay I got married in December it was a shop model, and it was fab.

Oh why is it sooo frippin hard? Agh. I know deep down it's probably a bad idea. Monsoon and phase 8 seem to have very little in at the moment, hopefully more selection after the sales? I'm not having much luck looking at second hand dresses, they all seem to have originally cost E1000 and are then priced at E500, when the upper end of my budget is E300 ...I know what suits me though, went into fancy do da bridal shop and tried on dresses with no intention of buying, felt like a cow because the sales assistant was lovely. I'm looking for something simple with no mad beading or embellishment, A-line with sweetheart neck line. Strapless if I can get my flubbery arms sorted out in time. Unicorn, that one looks nice, I like the shape of it, and the lace at the back. Hope it works out! When are you getting married?

Bustle, how about this?

or this?

Why don't you do a "white maxi dress" search on shopsense.co.uk ... Or look through big shops' dress sales with a "white" and "dress" search. Long whitew non-wedding dresses often more elegant and better value than monstrosities sold as wedding frocks - and cheaper! 300 quid should be ample if you do a big online search ...

I've used the american site tjformal.com for bridesmaid dresses (after trying them on here first) and I had no probs. They have a wide selection and I got the dresses much cheaper too

I bought mine from BHS. They have loads here from £80 upwards

I've only ever heard good reports about Milly Bridal, slowshow - really surprised at what you say about them.

I bought a dress from them (which I didn't ultimately wear, but not for any reason connected with the dress itself, I just went for a different style). It was nice quality and well made - certainly of comparable quality to the mid-range wedding dresses in the shops e.g. Maggie Sottero, Alfred Angelo etc. Those dresses are made from synthetic fabrics in Chinese factories anyway - the only difference is that if you buy direct from a company like Milly Bridal, they sell at a price that makes them a profit rather than you paying a grand so that the middleman designers and the bridal shop can make their profits too.

I would certainly give Milly Bridal a go. I have read negative reviews of the company you have linked to, although have read positive ones too - reports of their dresses and service are a bit hit and miss, whereas reviews of Milly much more overwhelmingly positive.

Oh, and they have some nice shoes too here

Thanks crispy and esmee, think bhs is the way forward! Liking the evie one for 120:) I've seen very positive things for milly bridal, but can't find the site! Think it's closed down. Thanks to everyone who's replied, will look at shop sense too dude, and sexyher herbie:) will inform of any updates, freaking out a bit less now! Can't afford anything for another few weeks yet, weddings in june tho, have to get my ass in gear!

I like the monsoon ones too, not much on the site at the moment but have missed the sale. I'd say they'll have more soon? You're in ireland too Kerry? Not much of a selection here, yaay for the interweb!