My RTW Wedding Gown Search And Finding The One

When I was a little girl, I've always fantasized about looking like a princess on my wedding day.  I imagined a ballroom gown showered w...

When I was a little girl, I've always fantasized about looking like a princess on my wedding day.  I imagined a ballroom gown showered with shining sequins, gems and stones meticulously sewn into my lace dress and six feet lacy train.  As I grew older (and wiser), my fashion sense and interests lean more towards the simple, elegant, classic, and comfortable.

For my wedding last November, I considered buying an RTW simple gown..  I also considered looking for a couturier in Divisoria based on recommendation from friends who had their gowns made there.  We were working on a budget, and the wedding gown budget was only Php 10,000 or less.  Here were my wedding gown pegs:

Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Photo Source
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Photo Source
Photo Source
If you would notice, the gowns had the same look: Simple yet Classy with Lacy Top and Sheer Flowy Skirt.  When I asked couturiers in Divisoria to give me a quotation for this type of gown, they gave me a costing starting from Php 5,000 to Php 9,000.00, still under budget hurray!  They showed me the materials to be used: Valentino or Prada Lace for the top and Georgette or Chiffon or Tulle with Gina lining for the skirt.

For RTW Wedding Gowns, I considered the following stores:

  • Karimadon (Robinson's Place Manila) - gowns were flamboyant and too grand for my style, so do their prices.  I fitted some, but when I was wearing them, it really wasn't me.  So next store please.
  • Landmark Department Store (Makati or in Trinoma) - There were designer wedding gowns available but it's over budget because the materials used were really expensive.  Gowns were embellished with Swarovskii stones or were fully beaded.  They were very beautiful especially if you're planning for a big wedding.  But it's not for my intimate wedding.  There were cheaper alternatives but I didn't like the styles and the materials used also looked like how they were priced.
  • Ever New (Podium) - They have really nice gowns which could be used for a small and intimate wedding like mine.  In fact, I particularly liked one gown which only cost Php 7,600.00, which was still under budget!  So it could have been perfect.  But I wanted to look for another option so I went to hunt for the next RTW gown I would adore at...
  • SM Fashion Forum (SMMakati, SM Megamall, and SM Aura) - This was where I actually bought my wedding gown.  I fitted two types, one is a tube gown and the other is the gown that I wore at my wedding.  
Here were the RTW gowns that were shortlisted:

GOWN #1: Ever New Philippines in Podium Mall
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
EverNew in Podium
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Lacey and lightly beaded on the upper body.
Skirt was made of Georgette and Sheer.
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Low back, simple but elegant.
This gown costs Php 7,600.00.
GOWN #2: SM Fashion Forum
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
 A tubed gown with lacy top which snugs the chest area just right.
 I liked the fit and style, but I didn't feel very comfortable bearing too much mommy skin.
The gown hides the tummy bulges and disguises them under that stretch lacy fabric of the flowy skirt.
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Not too comfortable baring too much mommy skin
 GOWN #3: SM Fashion Forum
 When I fitted this gown, I instantly knew this was the one!
It resembles the wedding gown pegs I showed above.  It's simple but elegant.
I liked the fit on me right away.  It hides mommy bulges as well.
I got what I was searching for: a gown with a lacy bodice and light, flowy skirt made of layers of tulle.  Something that's not heavily beaded but still looks elegant.
Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
The One.
Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
I also liked the low V-back which still is subtly sexy.
After this, I didn't look further.  I bought it for an unbelievable price of Php 3,850.00 only.  Whoa!  I know what you're thinking, such a great value for its price.  I was also shocked when I looked at the price tag just before going to the counter to pay for it.  It was such a winner!

I did a few adjustments to this gown like tighten the arm holes, shorten the length of the skirt in front and leave the length at the back.  I also added another layer of lining using Gina cloth.  The adjustments cost me Php1,000.00.  Total cost for my gown was only Php 4,850.00 which was still way under budget.

Here's my RTW Wedding Gown on my Rustic Themed Wedding Day.  Photos by my wedding photographer, The Perfect Grey Photography
Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila
Where To Buy Affordable RTW Wedding Gowns in Manila

Before I end this post, let me just give you an advice on choosing your wedding gown.  It's not the price tag nor the label nor what's trendy that should sway you into buying or having your wedding gown made.  The most important of all, is choosing what you think suits your body type and your personality well AND what you believe brings out the best in you on your wedding day.  It is YOUR Wedding, so you should follow the desires of your heart not only in choosing your wedding gown, but in going for the other details of your dream wedding.

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20 comments

  1. Lady Anne Louise ☺♥April 8, 2016 at 3:54 AM

    How I wish I knew about this before my wedding. My gown cost 10K and I'm very disappointed with it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a helpful list, Louise dear! :) Praying for you and baby, and your boys! :)

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  3. Thanks Tina! :) I will do what I can to be a resource site to women, moms or soon-to-be-moms, and also brides. Praying for you and your family as well dear! :) Hope to see you soon! :)

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  4. Awww Lady Anne Louise, nice name, same tayo! :) Why were you disappointed with your wedding gown? I'm sure it wasn't that bad, ang important thing.. ikaw ang pinakamagandang babae nung araw na yun sis! :)

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  5. I like your sense of style, Lousie. Simple and elegant. Less is exquisitely more.

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  6. Hello Sarah! Thank you so much! :) Happy weekend to you!

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  7. Thank you for sharing miss Louise :)

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  8. Hi, permission to use your photos? We'll be using it in our Facebook page :) - Fashion Forum

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  9. Hi Ces,

    Yes, kindly link back or give photo credits. Thank you.

    Best Regards,
    Louise

    ReplyDelete
  10. Posted already with credit :) Thank you so much for the support and the love. <3

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  11. I love the budget ideas you shared in this blog. Thank you for you sharing!

    By the way, which store in sm you went? Department store specific stall? Hope you can reply to my query.

    You gave me idea on how to lessen the budget😉 keep it up and God bless!

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  12. Hello @Kath, I bought my gown at SM Megamall Fashion Forum. But it's also available at SM Makati and SM Aura. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving kind words. Have a good day!

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  13. Hi Ms Louise! We're planning to hold the venue of our wedding at L'Aquinum Garden too sometime in June next year. May we ask if you get decorator for the venue and reception? We hope to get the tent venue. Thanks

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  14. Some decors, hubby and I DIYed. The rest were done by my caterer, Ignacio's Catering. :) L Aquinum has accredited caterers who could do the set up for you.

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  15. Hi! May I inquire how much you spent on the flowers (bouquet and headpiece)? Thanks!

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  16. Hi Ann, I spent less than Php 3K. :) Thanks!

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  17. Thank you for this blog! Im married for 15 yre but still dreaming of having a simple garden wedding. Nowadays, wedding is very expensive..nakakapressure pa dahil sa social media post na super mahal ng gastos,,after reading your blog nagkaroon ako ng idea and sana matuloy na ang simple yet intimate wedding nmin. Thanks! Keep it up.

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  18. https://www.facebook.com/inmywomb3d4dultrasound/ is the new FB page of in my womb :)

    ReplyDelete

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Mommy Practicality is a home and lifestyle blog that's about positive, informative, 
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