The Filene’s Basement wedding dress sale is scary, and I don’t think it’s that great a place to buy. I went in one year (before I was thinking about getting married), and the dresses generally seemed cheap. Many were dirty or torn - I think a lot of them are floor models that nobody bought. I suppose it could be useful for figuring out what styles work on you, if you can stand trying on a ton of dresses in the middle of the store (no dressing rooms) while surrounded by dozens of women trying to snatch them away from you.
I believe I’ve found my dress! I went to a nice shop, with very nice, helpful sales ladies, and we figured out that I will get a pretty but plain sleeveless, satin a-line dress, and attach chiffon sleeves, train, etc. to it. I’m very excited about this now, because it means that I will be able to have some input in how I want the finished dress to look, and I will end up with a unique gown. (It doesn’t hurt that the plain satin gown only costs $285 - that’s what, about $160 US? I can afford a lot of chiffon with the money I’m saving on the dress!) Thanks to everyone for their advice, support, and offers of their own dresses.