Wedding Times

Photo by Laura-Elizabeth

Whether it’s a simple sleek cream-colored or an elegant fairytale white ball gown, every bride has her own vision of what makes ‘the dress’. Whatever your vision is, there is always that little nagging voice in the back of your head reminding you that this is a dress that you will only wear once and so, money does become an issue. There are, however, lots of ways to find the right dress at an affordable price.

Look online. Many online merchants will be able to provide you cheaper wedding dresses. If they don’t have a physical store they will have lower overheads and be able to sell at a lower price. You may be able to purchase directly from the manufacture, therefore cutting out the middle men along with their high markups. Be sure to check that whoever you buy from they have a return policy you are comfortable with. Because you are looking at a dress on a computer, and not trying it on in a fitting room, you want to be sure that you can return it for a full refund if you are not happy with what you receive.

Check online classifieds and auctions. You can usually buy these dresses for a lot less than you would pay for a wedding dress from a retailer. Many will be second hand but some will be from brides that changed their mind and found a different gown, and the occasional cancelled wedding. As before, ask the seller if you can return the dress if it doesn’t suit you.

Brush up on your bargaining skills. Whether you are shopping online or at a bridal boutique, as long as it is not a major chain-store, you should be able to get a better price than what the sticker says. Ask if they provide bulk discounts if you purchase your bridesmaids dresses there.

Buying off the rack will save you major money. While having your dress custom made guarantees you get exactly what you want, bridal gowns come in many different shapes, sizes, textures and designs so you should be able to find a dress that is pretty close to the vision you have in mind.

If you are lucky enough to have a friend or family member that is particularly handy with a sewing machine, ask them to make your dress. You will be able to choose the exact fabric and design that you want. Try to keep the overall design simple, then embellishments such as beadwork, sequins, and embroidery can be added later and will cost much less.

Bridal shops plan to raise their prices considerably when it is the peak season for weddings. If you start looking for your wedding dress in April or May, you are likely to pay more money for it than you would if you considered looking in the early fall or winter. Even if your wedding will be during the peak months, consider shopping around for it in the fall before. When shopping, ask the salespeople how long the dresses have been out for and when they are getting their next shipment in. If they are just about to receive new stock, they will be eager to get rid of their old dresses. Always ask for a discount.

Buying something other than a wedding dress can also save you a lot of money. Look at bridesmaid’s dresses, prom dresses, or even cocktail dresses if your wedding is going to be a more casual affair. These dresses will save you a lot of money and can be just as elegant and beautiful as a wedding dress.

Embellishments such as beadwork, sequins, and lots of detailing are sure to drive the price of your wedding dress through the roof. If you really want those little extras, consider purchasing a simple gown and ask a seamstress add to it. By finding the right seamstress, this could also save you a lot of money. You would have complete say as to what gets added to your gown making it more personal for you.