The great wedding dress dilemma! Opinions please on this wedding dress...... not long to go and getting desperate

[Thegreatweddingdressdilemma]

Getting married early next year (winter wedding)
By way of background I am early 30s, tall, size 8.

I have been to a few 'proper' bridal shops and seen some amazing dresses, but there has not been any one in particular that I have fallen in love with and have to have (although lots that I have really liked). I do not feel like I have found 'the one'. The cheapest dress that I am considering from a 'proper' bridal shop is £1500 (including alterations). I can afford this without getting into debt but I am aware that it is a lot of money and I can think of lots of other things to spend it on (honeymoon, a fund for if / when I find myself on maternity leave etc).

I have also tried on this dress in Ghost which as you can see is reduced to just £75
www.ghost.co.uk/taya-dress-ivory-dp30ca-m10

Here is a real life wedding featuring the dress (and I personally think it looks better here than on the Ghost website)
www.fitzgeraldphotographic.co.uk/2013/12/bell-in-ticehurst-wedding-ali-john/

And here it is being worn by bridesmaids (although in a different colour) www.ablognamedscout.com/lisa-and-david-in-cork-ireland/

Ok so the Ghost dress is not quite as nice as the 'proper' dresses, and if money was no object I would go for the £1500 dress.... but the Ghost dress is £1425 cheaper and still a lovely dress, which after all I will only be wearing for a few hours.

We are also only having a very small, informal wedding so spending ££££ on a dress feels out of proportion somehow to the rest of the wedding.

My Mum thinks I will regret the Ghost dress. Would value any opinions on it. Many thanks.

I don't like it at all, it just doesn't look polished to me. There are so many nice vintage dresses out there which are much more specular looking in my opinion.

But that's just it, wedding dresses ar so personal if you love it go for it. When I went shopping for mine I wanted something unusual so went with an Ian Stuart design. There are so many options take your time.

Don't be fooled by thinking a dress becomes a wedding dress if you spend shitloads of money and have to try it on in a ghastly wallpapered shop rather than ordering it online and getting it cheap...

I bet you look stunning in it

Try a wedding dress sale shop. I got my wedding dress for £425 reduced from £1900.

The ghost dress is gorgeous I bet you will look beautiful in it

I tried the Ghost dress on, I'm a short size 8 and didn't like it on me, I'm too hippy.

I'm currently loving the Coast Avaris dress ( can't do links have a Google)

The Ghost dress would be lovely in someone tall and willowy

I love the ghost dress really classy, splash out on hair and makeup or photos

I think its lovely...so is the belt. I think it would be lovely with an updo. Its so romantic looking and has a vintage feel.

Adore the Ghost dress . My daughter has another style from Ghost, worn for a ball, and the dresses are beautifully cut and draped . You will look stunning .

I think its lovely, and like you say, think of all you can spend the 'saved' money on!

Gorgeous and more so with the belt.

Thanks all - for both good and bad feedback!

I think the Ghost one is lovely - it's totally classy. If you think the look is too plain you can (elegantly) vamp up hair, make up accessories. Jewellery you can wear again. Fabulous shoes.

It looks much more contemporary than the crystal-crusted-satin-strapless ones in the "bride" shops.

Go for it! Honestly, I spent 1k on my wedding dress and it was FAR too much, I regret it (not least because I got pregnant and ended up having to get it altered loads) but look, you wear it for a few hours - get some amazing shoes and accessories and spend the extra on your honeymoon!

I agree with Siarie I'm afraid. It's just 'meh'.

I'm not keen on the lace top part. It looks dated imo.

I think it's lovely . I'm guessing it's cut on the bias, which only suits tallish and slimish women IMHO. You MUST have a cover up for a winter wedding, unless you are staying in the same venue for the whole day . Otherwise you will get very cold transferring in the car.

Do you like Lisa's jacket in the ohotos ? What about a white faux fur wrap ? Or velvet lined with satin ?

Short sleeve dress opens up possibilities for satin gloves . The shorter the sleeves, the longer the gloves.

I really like the Ghost dress but it does look like it creases really easily. Only buy it if you think you can avoid sitting down before all the photos!

Also I find that Ghost stuff tends to hang a little oddly at the seams and the hem, which can make it look cheap if you are not careful. Try it on again and have a really good look at how it hangs and creases.

Lovely dress!!!
Ignore the diktat that you have to spend £££££ on a dress you wear for one day

Oh gosh, yes. Get the Ghost dress. It's lovely - simple, classic and beautiful. It would be ridiculous to spend £1500 when you can get something lovely for £75. Buy it now - and start planning what to do with all that money you're saving!

I dislike most wedding dresses, but that one looks lovely, very classy and understated and perfect for an informal wedding. I think that women get a bit conned into thinking that they have to spend $$$ on 'the dress' especially when they will never wear it again, and probably would never choose to wear at all if they weren't getting married. If you are marrying for love that's what will show in your pictures, the joy of the day. What you wear is almost immaterial.

The Ghost dress looks lovely, both in their photo & on that bride. I didn't have a traditional wedding dress, I went to a traditional shop with my mother so she could see me in a wedding dress & then bought something completely different. Enjoy the fact you've found something that's special & that you aren't just following the herd.

I think it's lovely. Bugger the traditionalists who tell you to get married in a stupidly expensive Cinderella style frock. I got married in a (sale price) Prada cocktail dress (silver and blue). It was great, i looked amazing plus it was short enough for me to play rounders in later on in the day . I've worn it since ( not often it's very posh!) And it still brings a smile to my face!
Of your dress makes you feel good then job done... Have a lovely day and enjoy yourself

I love the dress and think it looks gorgeous on the bride. I think you should wear it.

The ghost one is very similar to my wedding dress, and I for one, thought it looked fab! I think it's beautiful, and such a bargain, go for it!!

The dress is lovely but I can see why you would be unsure - it looks a little plain for a wedding dress but If it is a small do it seems like it might suit the occasion.

If you do go for it maybe get some amazing heels and a lovely stole/jacket that oomphs the outfit up a bit

Can we see the other one you are considering maybe someone can suggest an alternative to that?

I had a ghost dress for my wedding dress. It was very simple but hung beautifully. It wasn't as gorgeous as the one in your link though! It was only £50 in a sample sale. And i dyed it after and still wear for special occassions other weddings.

Bridesmade dresses also v simple. You don't want them upstaging you. My sisters wore simple ghost shift dresses.

All very elegant.

Congrats