Simple Answer: When you know it’s a replica. Don’t stop reading yet, I do have a point here. Now, if you purchased a $3000 Designer Gown on sale for $2000 and when it arrived, you discovered it was a replica – you have been riped off! You could probably have gotten that same replica from an honest seller for 1/3 of that price! But is you purchased a replica of that $3000 gown for $600, that is a smart bride making a smart choice!
There is a common belief today, that designer gowns cost more because they are better materials, better quality and better workmanship. As a designer myself, I can vouch for the fact that this is not necessarily true. For example, there is a well known designer in the US who uses the same manufacturer as I. Her dresses are made from the same materials, by the same seamstresses as mine. Her gowns retail for $3000 – $5000 across North America. Yet I can sell the sell similar styles made by the same manufacturer, for under $1000 and still make a nice profit! Starting to wonder what all the extra money pays for? It’s not the quality or the material obviously. It’s the label – or to be precise – the name on the label!
With wedding budgets that can get so quickly out of hand, many brides are already starting to recognize the benefit of a designer inspired or replica gown. Some designers are adding designer inspired gowns to their own collections!
Have another design in mind? Of perhaps you want a combination of 2 or more styles? When picking someone to make your custom gown, here are a few things to look for:
- past experience with replicas, including pictures of replicas they have done
- experience with wedding gowns in general
- some sort of satisfaction policy – for example, at Chrys Cross Bridal, pictures are provided prior to shipping in case adjustments need to be made.
Benefits of a replica
- customize it to suit, if it isn’t perfect, have adjustments made
- get a plus size designer style (most designers only make to size 16 or 18)
- save a great deal of money and use it somehwere else
There is no reason why your budget needs to determine your dress style! If you have a designer style in mind, but don’t have the budget, then a replica is the perfect solution. Even if you did have the budget – think of all the other things that money could do! After all, you are the only one who needs to know what the label says. Well, you and hubby, but I doubt he’ll be looking at the label:)
