I have to buy two separate dresses for weddings -- one I am in (my brother's) and one I am attending but is extremely formal. Shit's expensive, man. I don't know if I'll be able to attend the second one. :
It seems a trifle obvious to me (enough so that I figure I'm likely missing something), but...
You're a model.
Surely you can find (already know of?) a clothing-designer who'd be willing to loan you a piece or two for an event or two? If not merely for the exposure (but I bet there are at least a few talented (but not-yet-well-known) designers near you who'd leap at the chance to have a professional model to showcase their stuff at events like these!), maybe if you agreed to a TFC* deal -- you do a free photoshoot modeling their clothes, they give you the clothes for your event(s)?
I hope you're able to find what you need. Strict formal weddings always seemed so silly to me. Shouldn't the focus be on the union of two people in love, not what everyone is wearing?
I bought my wedding dress [link] at a used store for $40 and fixed it up with materials that probably ran me another $10 or so, so it is possible to get fancy dresses pretty cheap. Portland has a lot of great inexpensive places to shop, they can just be a little out of the way sometimes.
I imagine that'd be rather difficult, though, and the results probably won't be worth the effort.
Of course, this is probably why I don't get invited to many weddings...
You're a model.
Surely you can find (already know of?) a clothing-designer who'd be willing to loan you a piece or two for an event or two? If not merely for the exposure (but I bet there are at least a few talented (but not-yet-well-known) designers near you who'd leap at the chance to have a professional model to showcase their stuff at events like these!), maybe if you agreed to a TFC* deal -- you do a free photoshoot modeling their clothes, they give you the clothes for your event(s)?
- REP