jaymiemarie wrote >>
i would LOVE to stay under $500...as for style, i just know my short body can't do the fit and flare/mermaid style. i'm pretty open i just can't justify spending much more than that for a one day event.
I know there is a wedding shop in the Short North. Can't remember what it's called and have never had the desire to walk in there so I have no idea the price range.
I would consider looking online for stuff. I know it sounds crazy but J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and Nordstrom have some classic looking dresses for cheaper than you would think.
http://www.jcrew.com/wedding/Wedding_Bride.jsp
J.Crew has petite dresses.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/category.jsp?N=1200086&pCategoryId=3942&categoryId=4379&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_4379&loc=TN
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-bride-dresses?origin=topnav
Nordstrom has amazing customer service and you could probably get the tailoring done by them and save yourself a few steps.
Also probably google local shops to see what dresses are available before driving and trying on stuff.
Now is definitely the time to buy since it's the dead of winter. We're in between the fall and spring lines of dresses so stores are trying to get rid of last season's stuff.
Good luck!