{Can’t Afford it/Get Over it} Lhuillier Lace Fiesta
One of the most coveted bridal gowns of all time is the “Scarlet” by Monique Lhuillier. Sure, I’m guilty of having lusted after it’s delicious beauty. How could you not fall in love with it? The shape, the fabric, the open back… gah, the open back! Romantic, sexy, and sophisticated at its finest. One of our lovely readers sent in a “Can’t Afford/Get Over it” Request for this break-the-bank beauty. Just see for yourself:
Can’t Afford it:
The Scarlet, by Monique Lhuillier. Salon priced at $5,000.
But did you get a load of the price Scarlet’s sportin’? Yikes. I’m sure some of you are thinking, “Man, that’s like my entire wedding budget!” So let’s try getting over this costly dress, shall we? I’ll start you gals off with two dresses that are the cheapest get over it versions of the Scarlet I have ever seen…
Get Over it:
1. Sue Wong, $289.90
Front
Back
2. Sue Wong, $289.90
Front
Back
3. David’s Bridal, sells between $500 and $750
Full gown
Mermaid bottom
4. Jim Hjelm Blush, retails between $1000 and $1500
Front
Back
5. Moonlight Valerie Couture, $1230
Front
Back
6. Sue Wong, $354.90
Front
Back… not open like the Scarlet. BUT, who says you can’t get it altered? For the price of this gown, I’d say it’s worth a shot 
7. Allure Bridals, $797.99
Front
Back
8. Mia Solano, $886
Front
Back… not totally open, but totally see-through.
9. Mia Solano, $915
Front
Back
10. David’s Bridal, $699
Front
Back
11. Camille La Vie, Comes in 2 colors: $499.98 (black/nude) & $699.99 (“candlelight,” i.e. champagne/ivory)
Front
Back
Is there a gown you’re just dying to get over? Send us a pic, or leave a link in the comments, and I’ll do my best to find some cheaper versions of it! And if you want to get more specific, tell me your price range, otherwise I try my very best to keep all the dresses I find under $1000.
Miss any “Can’t Afford it/Get Over it” Magic? Catch up here:
- What if I can’t afford a budget bridal gown?
- Can’t Afford it? Get Over it, Pt 1
- Short/Tea Length Gowns
- Break up with Oscar, Fall in Love with David
- Now Taking Requests
- Amsale Edition
Yeah, I think I'm gonna need #11. Doesn't matter what for.
I wonder how hard/expensive it would be to alter a gown with a regular, covered back into a keyhole back like the Scarlet… does anyone have any experience with this?
wow i love all these!
I’m still really interested in finding some get over it ideas for some Vera Wang Dresses. I especially like the delaney dress but I am in love with the Farrah dress. My plan is to get a flowy dress and accent it with a black belt like vera does in a lot of her styles. If you know another designer who offers this sort of dress I’d love to see it!
Number 4 is my dress! The all-white version doesn't impress me, but there are a bunch of other color options. Mine has a champagne underlay with ivory lace. I can't wait to wear it
Maybe it's because I'm a dude, or because I'm colorblind and also kind of fashion-blind, but if you showed me a gorgeous dress it's very unlikely I'd be able to tell you if it cost $300 or $10,000.
I think this David's Bridal is almost an exact match: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Lace-Cap-slee…
I agree the last one is an exact match. I just bought that dress and am now trying to sell it because it seems that the tattoo I got when I was 19 doesn't look so great in a keyhole back
So sad because I love it so. http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Lace-Cap-slee…
Love, love, love the lace!!!
Unless your tattoo is huge/or you don't want to, you could always cover it up for just the day.
The tattoo is huge and unfortunately not easily and effectively coverable. I found that little tidbit out after I bought the dress
Should've tried the coverup before the buying of the dress. Hindsight 20/20 and all that jazz.
You can also find beautiful ones that are gently used at the Pre-owned wedding dress website. Here is one that is is a Monique and close to the Scarlet style with a beautiful back: http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/dresses/226…
The Allure Gown is stunning!! I think it's even more remarkable than the $5,000 gown! Love this series that you post!
Hey Diana, Glad you like the Allure dress. I wanted to share a checkout code from The Bridal Boutique. "USXMAS120" enter that at checkout to save $150. Happy Holidays.
Beautiful! Where was this castle-y land with rolling hills of green?
Alright, I love #7 from Allure Bridals, but I just got a quote a LOT higher than $797. Is there an actual retailer I can get this lower quote price to bring to the store I'm interested in getting it from? Gyaaa dresses can be soo expensive!