Wedding | Bridal Wear

First, let me say I have NOTHING against a traditional bridal gown. Nearly all our brides have worn a traditional dress…. but… I LOVE when I see a bride or bridesmaids in something a little different. After all, I was that bride, myself.

You see, I bought Amsale’s Tyler gown 2nd hand from Once Wed. I’d seen it in a magazine the week we got engaged and just knew it was my dress. I had to have it. The bargain hunter I am was elated to get a $4000+ dress for about $1500. It even was the right size and length… double score.  I had it for several months before it started to eat at me…. even though I’d bought an amazing gown at amazing price…. I couldn’t quite stomach the cost. Jeremy & I were paying for everything, and that money could have been better used for other things.  Long story short…. I sold that dress, and had my mom’s dress (that happened to fit me perfect!) altered a bit instead. Then I changed into a $30 dress from the JCrew outlet for our reception.

I am a huge proponent of using things for purposes other than which they were intended…. I used twin sheets as table cloths at our reception and, my bridesmaids wore $40 dresses from Target.com.

I wanted to share some of my favorite dresses currently available from non-traditional wedding retailers. (Click images to purchase them)

JCrew.

They came out with their wedding line a few years ago, and it continues to be one of my favorite places to see dresses. Their simple lines and soft whites and ivorys are so timeless, and yet up-to-date.

1.  J Crew, Kira. This is by far my favorite!

2. J Crew Sofia …. I actually own this in black, and it’s SO comfortable! You can wear a regular bra with it too!

Anthropology

It’s no secret that Anthropology intoduced BHLDN on Valentines day of 2011. They have some really earthy gowns that would be beautiful in a garden. They also have some prim & proper frocks!

1. Bhldn, Crepe De Chine Column Gown

2. Bhldn, Comme Il Faut Dress (would be so great in a backyard affair… I’m smitten with those gloves!)

Last, but not least…. Ann Taylor!

1. Strapless Vintage Gown… I can see a cozy cardigan or blazer over this for an awesome, outdoor, fall wedding!

Where are some of your favorite non-traditional places to look for gowns?? Do you thrift? Do you eBay? Let me know in the comments!

PS…. the J Crew outlet is in Arden, NC (just south of Asheville) that’s where I bought the Sofia dress in black for about $50! Another great place here in Charlotte is the JLC Wearhouse. I’m a Jr. League member, but it’s a store open to the public. While working there on Friday, we got to pick up a huge shipment of dresses from J. Majors! Good stuff at great prices in there…. it’s in Plaza Midwood on the corner of Pecan & Central.