Newbie questions; Eden, Christos

[BaltoBride]

Hi there. One dress I'm interested in is on the Eden website (style #2016, http://www.edenbridals.com/frontend/proddetail.asp?productno=2016&categoryname=Eden%20Bridals. But when I searched gownsonline, curious about how much it was, it tells me it was discontinued. Then another dress I checked on gownsonline also said it was discontinued, making me think maybe they don't have the most reliable info? Or do they?

This is all very early, since I don't even have my first appointment till later this week, and really can't think about ordering till I know what looks good on me, but I'm just wondering how all this works.

Also, there's a dress I really love that appeared in the May/June 2001 issue of Brides. It's a Christos. I've only ever seen it in one other ad, around the same time. It's *not* on the Christos website, nor is it on the Knot. Does that mean it's been discontinued? I'm just trying to prep myself for it not being available, because (of course) it's my absolute favorite.
thanks! this is all so much fun!

[alandenisefields]

Hi there. Yes, we realize all this is confusing. Here are some thoughts:

1. There are TONS of dresses featured online that are discontinued; many designers don't update their web pages regularly. The KNOT and other sites are also guilty.

2. As for the Christos dress, designers do NOT feature all their gowns online. So just because you don't see it online or on the Knot, doesn't mean it is discontinued.

Since you have a magazine page number you can get a discount bid from one of the discounters we review in BRIDAL BARGAINS. So, you can get a quick answer on that!

FYI: Eden and Christos are on opposite ends of the price universe---Eden gowns start at $300, $400; Christos is more like $3000 to $4000!

best wishes,
Alan & Denise Fields, Authors
BRIDAL BARGAINS * BRIDALGOWN.COM * CYBERBRIDE *

[BaltoBride]

Thanks so much for the quick reply. Your book is a godsend. And I should add, as a journalist myself, it's the only bridal resource I've found so far that talks to me like the 33 year old woman that I am, not like I'm a little kid or a moron! I love that it's direct, no-nonsense, and gives you the real skinny, unlike the vague tones of the bridal magazines and Martha Stewart. (Yes, that lovely dress on our editor is $25,000....)

Anyway, my last question is: so if you fall in love with a discontinued dress, are you s.o.l., or are there resources for finding them?

And yes, I know I'm at totally different ends of the spectrum -- I can't decide whether I can't live without real silk yet, so I'm going to look at both. I thought your book says that Christos run from $1400 up, with an average of $2500. I'm willing to spend around 2k for silk.
thanks again.

[alandenisefields]

Thanks for reading our book, BRIDAL BARGAINS! Glad you found it helpful!

As for the discontinued dress, you are often S.O.L. unfortunately. There are a few rare cases where a retailer/discounter can go to a manufacturer and get a discontinued style---assuming the pattern is still there, they have enough fabric, they are in a really good mood that day, etc. So, bottom line: it never hurts to ask but don't get your hopes up.

2K will buy a GREAT dress (silk) from many different designers; unfortunately, Christos probably isn't one of them, unless you find a sample on sale, etc. One designer we'd suggest if you like Eden and Christos looks: Marisa. Very beautiful designs, great fabrics AND prices that aren't highway robbery. Their web site is www.marisabridals.com.

Hope that helps! If you ever want do a story on the wedding biz, let us know if we can help!

Alan & Denise Fields, Authors
BRIDAL BARGAINS * BRIDALGOWN.COM * CYBERBRIDE *
Email: authors@windsorpeak.com. Web: www.windsorpeak.com. Phone: 303-442-8792