Rings too CHEAP? and the perils of buying a dress off eBay...

SavvyStudent_2

frannyann wrote: »

Savvy, in no way am I putting down Ebay, some of the dresses on there from UK dress shops are fantastic value, even been tempted myself even though I have a dress! I was commenting on the fact that you can get a dress from the UK for not much more than Landy/Milly type places, if you shop around and look at people such as Linda!

Of course nobodys putting down ebay! Sorry, my 'lets not be too hasty judging ebay' didn't come out right; I know we all love it on MSE! What I was getting at was that if you're looking with a bargain hunters mindset not all the dresses have to be from China etc I totally agree on sourcing dresses from the UK as just as cheap if not cheaper than those from Landy/Milly, with the added piece of mind - whether ebay, local dressmaker or otherwise :T

frannyann

SavvyStudent wrote: »

Of course nobodys putting down ebay! Sorry, my 'lets not be too hasty judging ebay' didn't come out right; I know we all love it on MSE! What I was getting at was that if you're looking with a bargain hunters mindset not all the dresses have to be from China etc I totally agree on sourcing dresses from the UK as just as cheap if not cheaper than those from Landy/Milly, with the added piece of mind - whether ebay, local dressmaker or otherwise :T

I apologise, I've had a glass of wine so really didn't mean to accuse you of that! I have become utterly addicted to Ebay for the wedding dresses alone and hoping to spot a bargain like yours

dawyldthing

I wouldn't get jewelry from ebay though, as we have been done twice now, so i'm for a second year have received jewelry and its either broke or sent my finger blue

SavvyStudent_2

frannyann wrote: »

I apologise, I've had a glass of wine so really didn't mean to accuse you of that! I have become utterly addicted to Ebay for the wedding dresses alone and hoping to spot a bargain like yours

No no no I apologise! I'm not too great at expressing myself through the typed word lol. I wouldn't dream of purposefully offending anyone on here! I've become so addicted to these boards it's unreal - it's such a great source of support...! We're saving up for / organising our wedding in one year which is a bit of a push for us financially so it's great to be in touch with so many like minded people!

mrshaigh2b1987

we got our wedding rings frm argos white gold mine cost 69.99 and hubbies 89.99 and theyre perfect! I got my dress from aperfectdress.co.uk and they were brill. On the day every1 thort it was the real deal and it only cost me 240quid!bargain!x x

mrshaigh2b1987

oh and the dress lady let me pay in instalments too so that was a biiiggg help!

alenax

Wow thank you for all your replies, you're all very informative!

I do agree on not scrimping on the wedding rings, was just wondering why the ring was so cheap... looks like I know now! I've read somewhere on here before that you get a better deal if you go to an independent jewellers rather than a chain store so might try that.

As for the dresses, to be honest I think I just saw £70 for a wedding dress that cost way over £400 in a wedding shop and was like OMG! That is sooo cheap and we are trying to save as much money as possible but I would still like a dress with major WOW factor.

Pitlanepiglet

laura2481 wrote: »

How MSE you are piglet

I am wanting to look around antique stores in York for my engagement rine (OH bought me a temporary ring for the proposal but is letting me pick my own 'real' ring) I've seen some very good value rings in antique shops- even platinum ones. With a bit of hunting around I bet you can find good value wedding rings too. i don't ind the fact that the are second hand if they are old- feels like they have history...

We joked at the time that our wedding ought to have had "this wedding is brought to you in association with ebay" banners :rotfl:

I bought all three bridesmaids dresses from ebay and didn't pay more than £19 for each for Hilary Morgan dresses. I picked a designer and a colour and then spent a good few months watching ebay to find dresses in that colour in the right style for each of the bridesmaids (one 37 yr old mum of 3, 2 skinny 20 year olds). Their dresses weren't the same but they each had a dress that suited them beautifully and all in the same colour.

My tiara was second hand and hubby bought his suit from ebay (and sold it on afterwards!).

I don't really think about my ring being second hand, it's such a lovely design and I love it to bits.

When I was initially looking at dresses on ebay and debating about the history of dresses, a friend of mine said something along the lines of "if the happiness of your marriage depends on an expensive new dress then you're in trouble".

It became quite a challenge to spend as little as possible whilst being determined to give our guests the most fantastic day we could. I don't subscribe to the "as long as the B&G are happy that's all that matters" school of thought. It was very important to us that our families and friends had a fab time. My pet hate is going to very expensive weddings where I know the frock cost £5k plus but there is half a bottle of wine on the table and wine at the bar is fifteen quid a bottle!

laura2481

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

When I was initially looking at dresses on ebay and debating about the history of dresses, a friend of mine said something along the lines of "if the happiness of your marriage depends on an expensive new dress then you're in trouble".

How very wise your friend is too...

I am 'planning' on spending up to £1000 on a dress. I know I will need to find the right dress, and properly have it altered substantially too..if not special made.. due to by excessive curviness (big boobs ) so i am willing to pay a bit more for that so that i know i will feel ...right. i guess. i am hoping my parents will contribute to that though. And perhaps OH's parents to the photography. They will probably be biggest single expenses outside the venue/food etc

shellylovesshopping

£12 for a ring. Ratners springs to mind for those oldies who can remember them on the high street. You're going to get what you pay for and I doubt the ring would last very long. If you are on a tight budget check out ebay - they have some lovely secondhand rings at a fraction of the original cost. Your ring will be with you for the rest of your life and im sure you'd want one that would last.

There are some beautiful secondhand dresses on ebay. A friends DIL recently sold her wedding dress on ebay for £500.00. It cost £3500 last year! Pity I wasn't a size 10 lol. With anything secondhand, the only downside is they may have had alterations done to them and therefore may not be suitable dependant on alteration done so you would need to check with the seller before considering bidding.

There are also bridal shops on their selling samples at fraction of the cost. I purchased my maid of honours dress for £25 - its a current style - the colour I wanted - and sells in shops for £140. It has the ticket attached and is pristine.

I purchased my dress in a bridal sale half the retail price. My flowergirls dresses were from Debenhams 25% off day; their handbands half price in Next sale, my shoes half price from ebay; VERY MSE of me!

I did consider Landy however, I am large busted and I need additional support and decided against mail order as I was concerned that the Landy dress may not have had the support I needed and would nt have been so cost effective as I had hoped.

At the end of the day it all depends on your budget.