Good news on dresses.

[HiTech]

Alyona and I have been trying to decide where to get a dress, USA or the Ukraine.

Cities make a big difference in price. In kharkov for a dress she really liked she was around $2600.
In Druvskovka $1000 max would get a custom made dress of any material, along with shoes and other accessory.

I was very happy, she gets to choose anything she wants, and it stays with in the budget.

Dale

[Simoni]

The easy solution is to get married in Vegas and save the big bucks.  She will have more than 100 dresses to choose from.   And you will find a tux that fits without the hassle of being measured and ordering it.

But if you want to get married in your home town, I'd choose the custom made dress in Drurvskovka.

[Jazzyclassy]

Oh my Hitech  ))

Why so much expensive , my dress was faaaaaaaaaaaaar cheaper than those prices you tell here, but it was  and is stunning the most classy and the most amazing, fabulous,modest, romantic dress ever

I tried some which were 30 000 roubles like you say 1000 $ but it differed from my one only with more kinda laces to it and at times even looked vulgar.

The texture was pretty much the same.

Well of course if you have such money you can buy  a dress for 100000000000000000 $ no matter as long as it will make you both happy )

[HiTech]

Jazzy I do not know how much we will spend on the dress. I just now know it is less than 1000 including shoes.
In Nikolaev I saw them in the 7000 range.

[Misha]

Cities make a big difference in price. In kharkov for a dress she really liked she was around $2600.
In Druvskovka $1000 max would get a custom made dress of any material, along with shoes and other accessory.

$2600 for a wedding dress from Kharkov?!? Was it sewn with gold thread?!? My wife bought a dress in Russia for 15,000 roubles in her city (not Moscow) and it was one of the most expensive dresses that she found. I have a hard time believing that the cost of a decent dress in a smaller Ukrainian city (i.e. not Kiev) is that much more expensive.

[ScottinCrimea]

Dale, I just asked my wife about this and she said that wedding dresses in Simferopol range from $400 to $1,000, but this would be imported dresses with the highest priced dresses coming from France.  She says if you arrange for someone to make a dress for you, the maximum would be around $200.  She was very surprised that anyone would have to pay $1000 to have a dress made in a small village such as Druvskova.

[ScottinCrimea]

In talking more with my wife, she recounted arranging for a wedding dress for a friend very recently.  She says she had a very extravagant custom made dress with a seamstress in Simferopol for less than $200.  So if your fiance wants to spend the $20 for the train trip to Simferopol, she can provide the name of this seamstress.

[HiTech]

Scott, I assume that was including material? If it was, yes send me the name and phone number.

HiTech

[KenC]

Guys,
I am going to give you my 2 cents worth here.  One of my biggest regrets is that I did not put enough effort into Lena and my wedding.  Make your girls wedding day something very special.  If it means paying a little more than you want in order to get her the dress she will be proud to remember the rest of her life, then pony up and pay.  Your future wife is going to be looking at the wedding photos for litterally the rest of her life.  Do you want her to be all warm and gooey when she does that?  Or do you want her to remember that you saved a buck or two?  The choice is yours.  I made a bad choice back then and still regret it now almost 9 years later.  You have no second shot at this.  Make it a good one.
KenC

[Misha]

Guys,
I am going to give you my 2 cents worth here.  One of my biggest regrets is that I did not put enough effort into Lena and my wedding.  Make your girls wedding day something very special.  If it means paying a little more than you want in order to get her the dress she will be proud to remember the rest of her life, then pony up and pay. 

Well, there is a little more and there is a LOT more. Again, my wife bought the most expensive and gorgeous dress in her city for $750 give-or-take. I don't believe that a wedding dress in a small city in Ukraine would go for $2,600.

[AnastassiaAsh]

Seems very expensive for me too.

KenC, don't forget about your wedding pictures in your TR, please! 

[ScottinCrimea]

I agree with KenC that you sometimes have to walk a fine line when it comes to the wedding.  While you can't appear cheap, you also can't throw money out just for the sake of appearances.  Unfortunately, if a woman has her mind set that her wedding dress needs to be expensive to matter or that it needs to be more expensive than any of her friends' were, it will be tough to talk her down without appearing unsentimental and miserly.  It seems that the usual prices for anything are automatically jacked up astronomically if it has anything to do with a wedding.  They know that those paying for things are caught in a wedge.  When else would you pay $500+ for a cake, $7,000 for one day of work by a photographer, or $2,600 for a dress that will be worn only once?  I'm amazed at the astronomical amounts people pay for weddings, often going deep into debt to do it.  For example, my nephew a few years back paid over $50,000 for his.  All he has to show for it are a book of photos they almost never look at, a dress that hangs in storage and some very expensive memories (which I concede is the one thing that does have some value) Being the practical sort that i am, I would much rather spend the money on a honeymoon (which would provide much nicer memories for the money  ) or a trust fund for future children.

[HiTech]

I agree ken, I am already happy because I know my upper limit is 1k. Because I really really did not wish to see sad eyes not getting a dress she wants.

HiTech

[Fashionista]

IMHO this is such a waste of money - all these wedding dresses and rings and stuff.  I got married in a cutest cocktail dress for under $100 and wore it on many occasions afterwards.

[Misha]

I agree ken, I am already happy because I know my upper limit is 1k. Because I really really did not wish to see sad eyes not getting a dress she wants.

HiTech

One question: did you ever see the price tag for this $2,600 dress. I am still a bit skeptical. Also, you have to keep in mind that you risk seeing those "sad eyes" quite often in the future: you will see them when she wants that nice new car when she moves to the United States, you will see them when she wants to go on a nice luxury vacation, you will see them when she wants a new wardrobe when she moves in with you.... I agree with Ken that you don't want to be cheap, but at the same time you should be as a couple setting a reasonable price and deciding how much you will be spending.

[HiTech]

Gabaub: I have done pricing of dresses already in the Ukraine. The 2600 did not surprise me at all.

[Faux Pas]

One question: did you ever see the price tag for this $2,600 dress. I am still a bit skeptical. Also, you have to keep in mind that you risk seeing those "sad eyes" quite often in the future: you will see them when she wants that nice new car when she moves to the United States, you will see them when she wants to go on a nice luxury vacation, you will see them when she wants a new wardrobe when she moves in with you.... I agree with Ken that you don't want to be cheap, but at the same time you should be as a couple setting a reasonable price and deciding how much you will be spending.

It's not Ukraine or FSU but in the US, I've attended weddings of friends and even relatives whose dresses in upwards of 5-10K. I couldn't understand it but it really wasn't for me to understand. I should also state I've attended a few blue jean weddings too.

[Misha]

It's not Ukraine or FSU but in the US, I've attended weddings of friends and even relatives whose dresses in upwards of 5-10K. I couldn't understand it but it really wasn't for me to understand. I should also state I've attended a few blue jean weddings too.

It would be interesting to know how many of those 10k dresses in the United States were bought on credit using "equity" from overpriced houses  I am reading about the housing crash in the United States and there is some pretty scary stuff happening in your economy at the moment. 

[mischief]

Guys,
I am going to give you my 2 cents worth here.  One of my biggest regrets is that I did not put enough effort into Lena and my wedding.  Make your girls wedding day something very special.  If it means paying a little more than you want in order to get her the dress she will be proud to remember the rest of her life, then pony up and pay.  Your future wife is going to be looking at the wedding photos for litterally the rest of her life.  Do you want her to be all warm and gooey when she does that?  Or do you want her to remember that you saved a buck or two?  The choice is yours.  I made a bad choice back then and still regret it now almost 9 years later.  You have no second shot at this.  Make it a good one.
KenC

Ken, can I kiss you now??!! 
My husband had some financial problems by the time we had to get married so I had to wear my french cocktail dress (which was around $300) .... But I really wish I could have worn beautiful beautiful dress dress and lots of pictures of me in it too  :   Blue Fairy's dress was just stunning!!! No Fair!! LOL
There is the way to fix it ... We have plans to do Renewal Of Vows Ceremony and then I will have my fun!!!
So what I am trying to say: it IS important for most of women so guys, please, if you can afford it, make your woman happy!

[Faux Pas]

It would be interesting to know how many of those 10k dresses in the United States were bought on credit using "equity" from overpriced houses  I am reading about the housing crash in the United States and there is some pretty scary stuff happening in your economy at the moment. 

Who knows how many were bought using home equity? How you make the connection between the US economy, housing market and over priced wedding dresses I have no idea. Your statement I hope was in jest? 

[Misha]

Who knows how many were bought using home equity? How you make the connection between the US economy, housing market and over priced wedding dresses I have no idea. Your statement I hope was in jest? 

The connection is simple: the American economy has gone through an exuberant period these past few years buoyed by house prices going through the roof and people spending a lot of money financed by easy credit (including overpriced dresses wedding or otherwise). With the collapse in house prices and the recession that America is certainly in at the moment, I have the feeling that fewer people will be paying $10,000 for wedding dresses these coming few years.

[Fashionista]

Who knows how many were bought using home equity? How you make the connection between the US economy, housing market and over priced wedding dresses I have no idea. Your statement I hope was in jest? 

Approximately every ninth american will declare bankruptcy in the year 2008, but I am canadian so i will 

[myrddin]

Obviously guys want to make their woman happy, but there is simply no limit to how much you *can* spend on a wedding.  It's not a sign of cheapness to seek the best deal!  Perhaps one reason weddings are stressful is to give the couple a chance to see how they work together  

My first wedding cost upwards of 20k.  And yes, it was indeed one helluva party, tales are still told.  But looking back, signs of the future were there in the wedding planning (it's a lot easier to see with time and/or distance).  Doesn't matter how much you spend so long as you're both on the same page.

mischief, I understand your disappointment but your dedication to your man speaks highly of you and your relationship.   And there's an idea to "make up" for things, Ken - renew your vows for your anniversary, reception and all  

[AnastassiaAsh]

How many shows are there about young couples struggling with debts and inviting a financial specialist to even it out? I just laugh watching them. I mean what kind of degree of stupidity is this? The budget is let's say 20K and they organized everything for $50K and decided to think about it much later after...Sometimes i just can't believe this and think it was all done for the show.

HiTech! Please, be very careful while pleasing your fiancee! Explain to her your thoughts about your wedding budget. It is very honorable to please your woman, but there should be some margins and sense in this. When she understands this, it will be even more useful. It is time to reveal the fact that 'not all Americans are millionaires', but still are in great shape though. 

[KenC]

mischief,
You had better run that kiss by Lena first!  (I don't give it much chance of approval  )

I agree that Blues Fairy's dress was stunning.

I tired to get a "re do" on a wedding in Russia, but it was a "no go" for the Mrs.

Faux Pas,
I agree with your comments regarding gabaub's post.


gabaub,
Do you have a perminant rain cloud over your head like that character that hangs with Charlie Brown?
KenC