As soon as you get engaged, people are going to start asking you about your wedding dress. Have you found one yet? Do you know what style you're going to go for? Which is your favourite designer? I had no idea. In fact, I found the whole process just a little daunting. There's a certain amount of pressure to go with a group of girlfriends, and drink champagne, and enjoy that moment when they put the veil on, and everyone cries a bit. That wasn't ever going to work for me, because I like shopping on my own, and I was very conscious that all my girlfriends have busy lives, and I didn't want to be all bridezilla and insist they came with me shopping every Saturday. So I did a bit of shopping on my own, and quickly realised that I didn't like most dresses. I also found it hard to organise appointments, and I got a bit fed up having to travel all around London to go to all the shops. Why can't they all just be on one street? So it was a grumpy bride that stumbled out of the rain into Delphine Manivet. That's where I found my gorgeous gown, the Anatole. But man was it pricey! And that's why I loved this email from a Before the Big Day Reader, Annie.
Hi - Just stumbled on your blog, I absolutely love it! That's been the best part of wedding planning reading all of these amazing blogs! I was just wondering if your Delphine Manivet wedding dress was the Rapheal style and if you were thinking about selling it at all as I am trying to buy a second hand one as it is over my budget but completely to die for! Annie x
{Wedding Photographer Credit} Me on my French wedding day by Caught the Light}
Annie and I totally think alike. I also searched for the Anatole second-hand as well, and I reckon lots of brides try to do the same. So in the spirit of saving money, and looking hot for less money, I thought I'd give you these top-tips for getting your wedding dress for less.
♥ Find out whether your wedding dress designer does sample sales, and be the first in the door.
♥ Search on eBay. If your designer is French, search on French eBay {tip: you'll need to use the word 'robe' for dress or 'voile' for veil}. My London wedding dress was designed by Rose & Ruby from Australia, so I searched on Australian eBay.
♥ Check out wedding blogs that allow brides to list their wedding dresses. Once Wed is a wedding blog in the US, and Rock My Wedding in the UK also has a listing service.
♥ Scour the Secondhand Dress websites. My favourites are Sell My Wedding Dress and Preloved, but there are loads - just type "secondhand wedding dress" into Google.
♥ If all else fails, ask for a discount. You'll be surprised how often shops will offer 10%-20% off, and you've got nothing to lose by asking.
P.S. I actually did find a secondhand Delphine Manivet dress owned by a bride in Paris, but unfortunately she sold it before I managed to snap it up.
P.P.S. I have now sold both my wedding dresses!
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Hi - Just stumbled on your blog, I absolutely love it! That's been the best part of wedding planning reading all of these amazing blogs! I was just wondering if your Delphine Manivet wedding dress was the Rapheal style and if you were thinking about selling it at all as I am trying to buy a second hand one as it is over my budget but completely to die for! Annie x
{Wedding Photographer Credit} Me on my French wedding day by Caught the Light}
Annie and I totally think alike. I also searched for the Anatole second-hand as well, and I reckon lots of brides try to do the same. So in the spirit of saving money, and looking hot for less money, I thought I'd give you these top-tips for getting your wedding dress for less.
♥ Find out whether your wedding dress designer does sample sales, and be the first in the door.
♥ Search on eBay. If your designer is French, search on French eBay {tip: you'll need to use the word 'robe' for dress or 'voile' for veil}. My London wedding dress was designed by Rose & Ruby from Australia, so I searched on Australian eBay.
♥ Check out wedding blogs that allow brides to list their wedding dresses. Once Wed is a wedding blog in the US, and Rock My Wedding in the UK also has a listing service.
♥ Scour the Secondhand Dress websites. My favourites are Sell My Wedding Dress and Preloved, but there are loads - just type "secondhand wedding dress" into Google.
♥ If all else fails, ask for a discount. You'll be surprised how often shops will offer 10%-20% off, and you've got nothing to lose by asking.
P.S. I actually did find a secondhand Delphine Manivet dress owned by a bride in Paris, but unfortunately she sold it before I managed to snap it up.
P.P.S. I have now sold both my wedding dresses!
Love Before the Big Day? Never want to miss a post? Sign up for our free newsletter, for exclusive content and special offers! Before the Big Day - The Best UK Wedding Blog.