wedding dress shopping: here or there

Got engaged while bf was here in November  I'll move over at the end of May and the wedding is planned for July. I still live in the States, but will be married in Devon.

I am hoping to find a dress that won't break the bank considering I'll be out of work for a few months at the very minimum. I feel fairly confident I could find one here given the time I have to look ... but I worry about it traveling well to the UK.

Would it be better to wait until after I move in May and just try searching in Devon with less than 2 months to find one? Or will I be able to find a better bargain here, perhaps shopping last seasons items etc.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm from the states and got married in the UK (hubby is from there) on the 4th of July. I ended up getting my dress in the US and then took it w/ me on the flight to the UK (it was in a garment bag that the salon had given me when I picked up my dress). I had no problem bringing it w/ me on the flight (it was a BA flight), but I would check w/ your airlines just to make sure. I don't know what dress you are thinking of getting, but sometimes getting a dress in your size and having alterations does take time and 2 months doesn't seem like a long enough time frame to allow for your dress to be ready.
btw My dress had a ton of material (it had 8 layers and a train), so I didn't limit myself. I did take my dress to be steamed the minute I got to the UK. The cleaners wrapped it up tight in a plastic bag and I left it in it until the day of the wedding. It held its shape and wasn't at all wrinkled. I know alot of brides have used http://www.bridesave.com/ for their dresses. Feel free to pm me...

I didn't bring my dress to the UK, but would have in a heartbeat after shopping for them in the UK! We got married in 2 ceremonies, one in England at a registry office where I took the oppoortunity to buy myself a cool gold corset & matching suit, and then a vow renewal ceremony in the US where I wore the dress. I got mine at David's Bridal for $200 - and it was PERFECT for me. I've seen many women flying with wedding dresses (always on BA) - so I say go ahead and look for one in the states, if you find the perfect one then don't hesitate to bring it over! But don't settle for one just because you don't think you'll find one here - it can be done though it's a bit harder. UK or US - when you find the perfect dress you'll know! Good luck!
**misses wedding dress shopping!**

Thanks very much, that puts my mind more at ease regarding trying to fly one over. There are so many decisions to be made with the wedding and the move, I get stuck on some of the simplest things.

I'll look here and see what I can find, and if I don't find what I like I'll deal with it over there.  

I got mine here in the U.K. at Debenham's for £126.  Cost me £60 to have the train shortened and turned into a shawl.  (My choice, though.  The actual length of the gown was perfect as it was.)  And she had it done in a week!  The shoes cost £40 - but they were perfect and I got such a deal on the dress I figured I could splurge!

I got mine in the USA on sale, beacause I only had 4 days in the UK before the date.

We got married in Plymouth, Devonand had a reception in Portwrinkle, Cornwall. So if I can be of any help at all on planning a wedding from the other side of the ocean let me know!

Thanks  

I have to put all wedding thoughts off until after Christmas because I was fast becoming a giant stressball    not the best way to convince fiance he's made the right choice  

I'm in Atlanta too, did you find your dress here? This is my second time, so I wanted something non-traditional. However, it's his first and he's got visions of blushing bride in a white dress etc. So I'm looking for something bridal but not white and poofy if that makes sense.

He's promised to handle all the booking of venues, so that's one less worry for me. We're looking in Torquay area.

Hi Missy did you get a dress yet? I second the opinion about Debenhams. They are great for inexpensive dresses. Check out either the bridal section or the evening dress section that  have nice off the rail dresses that are suitable for weddings, in gold, cream and silver. Monsoon is terrific for off the rail dresses also.
As for getting a dress in the US, have you checked out www.alfredangelo.com?

I agree Monsoon has the most gorgeous ready to wear bridal creations and bridesmaids dresses too. I got married in summer in a white broderie anglaise sundress from Laura Ashley, they are worth checking out - especially at sale time, my dress was almost embarrassingly cheap!

Haven't found a dress... haven't even looked yet!  We just got our venues booked, and it's becoming less formal with every decision we make.

I'll look before I leave but I do feel better knowing there are good options there and that I'll have a few months to look after I move in May

Oh Alfred Angelo has a UK site as well...so maybe you can find the same dress and have it ordered in the UK to your specifications???  I noticed they had almost all the same styles on both the US and UK sites.  You can get to the UK site from the US site.

I will be checking out Debenhams as well...the few dresses I saw looked fantastic...hehehe

I am getting married secretly here in Plymouth this April & doing the big thing in Louisiana next April! I think I am going to look for a recycled designer dress in the States.  

Hey LucyAnnna .  .. where in Plymouth are you getting married?  That's where we will be living and where we had our blessing service.  

hi, just at the registry, no one knows!  Why are you moving to Plymouth??  

I will keep it quiet...  

I am moving back home with my man... we will be living up on Mutley Plain area.  Also hoping to go for my PhD while there.

So are you there yet or in the USA?