Wedding Dress Collections

If you have your heart set on a traditional wedding dress, try one of Seattle's wedding consignment stores. Greenwood's Blue Sky Bridal has a gorgeous selection of wedding dresses, ranging from beach casual to princess perfect. They even carry some of the better-known bridal designers: We spotted a brand new PC Mary's dress for $500 and a Winnie Couture dress for $825. Most dresses are half off their original retail price; all of them are four years old or newer; and Blue Sky carries a wide range of sizes to fit every bride. If you're on the Eastside, try Champagne Taste in Kirkland for more bridal consignment. Finally, check out Cicada Bridal in downtown Seattle for their upcoming sales: For the rest of January, all bridal dresses are 10 percent off (when paid in full), and all samples are priced from $200 to $900. In March, all sample gowns will be 25 percent off. Cicada also has a well-stocked clearance rack with dresses from previous seasons at up to 50 percent off.

Vintage is always a great option for the bride on a budget, especially if you're a smaller size or are looking for a cocktail-style dress. Retro styles are very fashionable today, and buying vintage will ensure you wear a one-of-a-kind dress. Seattle is chock-a-block with great vintage stores, some of which have dedicated bridal sections. Pretty Parlor on Capitol Hill has a well-edited bridal section, including dresses from the 1930s through the 1970s, ranging from cocktail dresses to full-blown wedding gowns. Most of their selection is priced at less than $100, leaving you plenty left over for a really cute pair of shoes.

Both Red Light locations have several racks of '50s and '60s party dresses in a good range of sizes. The dresses run the style gamut from a simple, classic sheath to a flouncy gown with a tulle skirt. If you're willing (or eager!) to wear a non-traditional color you'll definitely have more to choose from here. Again, most vintage dresses at Red Light are priced well under $100, making them a very cost-effective option. If you want a vintage dress, it's a good idea to start looking early in order to give yourself enough time to find exactly what you want. If you have a specific dress style in mind, many vintage stores will be happy to keep your information on file and call you when they find something similar.

Dresses made by indie designers are another good option for the cost-conscious bride. Northwest line Frocky Jack Morgan consists of artfully deconstructed vintage clothing that is pieced back together to create one-of-a-kind confections in all styles and sizes. You can find Frocky Jack Morgan dresses, which range in price from $100 to $350, at Velouria, Seattle's mainstay boutique for independent designers.

Capitol Hill boutique Vu is also a great resource for brides who are looking for an affordable way to have a standout wedding. Lots of ladies in the know shop at Vu for high-end vintage clothing and accessories. What many women don't know, however, is that boutique owner Huan Vu does a lot of work with Seattle brides. A great way to get the dress of your dreams is to find an affordable vintage piece and take it in for some gussying up. From basic fit alterations to beadwork and embroidery, Vu can make your dress look like a million bucks for around a few hundred. He is also happy to use his vintage connections to help you find the style of dress you are looking for, and to help your bridesmaids find their dresses as well. Depending on your budget, you can get everything from alterations to a fully executed vision for your entire bridal party. Of course, this all takes time, so call to make an appointment for a consultation well in advance.

source ; www.nwsource.com