Where to buy inexpensive wedding dresses in DC area?

wedding gowns $500 under image

Let'sRaveO

I'm trying to help my friend find places in the Washington DC area where you can buy wedding dresses that don't cost an arm and a leg. She's already gone the David's Bridal route, but she wants more options. The problem is all the specialty boutiques are so expensive! It's going to be a low-key wedding so she'd like to keep the budget below $1,000 including alterations and the veil, so I'm thinking the dress itself shouldn't be over $700. Any ideas where to look?

Answer
tell her to try looking at high end department stores. that is an often forgotten source for great prices on wedding gowns and other wedding party outfits, including bridesmaid dresses. places like macy's, dillards, norstroms, and jcpenny have amazing prices on their wedding dresses. most of them priced under 500 dollars.

if you want a more traditional experience, try the macy's tyson's galleria in mcclean va. they carry demetrios wedding gowns.

How much would a small (around 50 people), Costa Rican influenced wedding cost?

Victoria

It will take place in Kansas, so I also need to know what the best months are to have a half outside, half inside reception. One of my parents is a pastor, so we get his services and the church free, along with the reception area if we choose to have it on church grounds.
I would like to have it at the beginning of August, since I'll still have a semester or two to finish up and don't want to split my focus.
My friend is making my wedding gown,
another friend is making the wedding cake,
another is going to do the catering/food,
and another is going to do my hair and makeup (each of them are very talented).
My fiancé is in the military (army) so he won't be needing a tux.
My fiancé and his family are Costa Rican (while I'm just an American mutt) so I want to adopt and embrace his family's traditions and culture for the wedding, but I don't know much about those traditions/culture other than what I've found on the Internet.
I would like to plan the decorations myself but wouldn't mind professional help.
Our budget isn't determined yet; we want to figure a dollar estimate now so that we know how hard to save for the next year and a half. I honestly don't want it to be more than around $5000, but I guess that depends.
I do know that it'll be buffet style, since that is Latin culture for most weddings, also since it's easier and more convenient because I want everyone to feel free to dance, chat, eat, and browse as they please.

Any advice, perspective, knowledge, and ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I just want it to be as fun as possible, comfortable, memorable, lots of dancing and energy; a complete and perfect fiesta!

Answer
After all those freebies your getting, there isn't much left but flowers, photographer, DJ, party favours, invitations, rings etc. If you're smart and shop around you should be able to get all that for under $5,000.

Here's what I'm paying for those things to give you an idea:
Photographer - $800
Flowers - $500
DJ - $600
Party favours - $50
Rings - $300 for mine, $50 to resize family ring for him
Invites - $300 (That's for 30 couples - So if you're inviting 30 ppl, divided by 2 roughly will be half of what I'm paying)

Oh and don't forget your accessories, veil, hair piece, shoes, jewellery, lingerie, garter etc. That can cost as little or as much as you want. Mine came to $400.

As for ideas for costa rican themes, ask his mom! She'd probably love to get involved!

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