How To Save Money On Your Wedding Gown

The average bride spends over $2,000 on her dress. This number is for the gown alone, not including shoes, a headpiece or veil, jewelry, hosiery and all the little odds and ends that contribute to giving her that perfect look on her wedding day. Many brides consider their dress to be the most important part of their wedding.

Depending on your choices, wedding attire can eat up a large potion of your overall wedding budget. It is possible to look beautiful on your wedding day for less and to share the savings with your bridal party.

Begin your search early. If you are in a rush, it is likely that you will spend more. There are many designers and gowns with a price tag that is affordable, and you won’t be sacrificing style and beauty.

Your Gown

These are some general money saving tips to follow when selecting and ordering your wedding gown.

• Take some time and look through bridal magazines. Tear out pictures of gowns you like. If you have an idea of what you want when you start trying on dresses, you will save time, and be able to find the look for the right price.
• Stay away from the big, fancy bridal salons. Their prices will be higher and the commission based sales people may be aggressive in convincing you to spend more than you planned. Start at a smaller local salon, or a salon in a different town or city. Prices may vary from neighborhood to so be thorough in your search.
• Check out the bridal selection at department stores.
• Take note of store policies regarding alterations, refund rules and guarantees. Look for the best possible service to fit your budget.
• Choose a gown to fit the formality of your wedding. A simple gown will cost less. Extensive beading and bangles will increase the cost of the gown and may require additional care.
• Consider a less expensive material. Compare prices on taffeta, silk, cotton and satin.
• Shop the sales. Some bridal salons will have yearly or bi-yearly sample gown sales, where you could possibly find a designer gown for 60-70% off of the full price. Check gowns carefully for any markings or flaws.
• Shop outlet stores.
• If you like the vintage look, check antique shops.
• Shop consignment shops. You may find a gown that has never been worn, due to a canceled wedding or an online order gone bad.
• Don’t leave a deposit on more than one gown while you are still looking.
• Be sure to keep all of your paper work, including receipts, delivery and shipping information carefully organized.
• Follow the manufacturers measurements to order your correct size. Alterations will cost less.
• Rent your gown! Formal wear rental shops for women are more common than ever. You could rent your dream dress for a fraction of buying it.

Depending on the style of your gown, your shoes will probably be hidden on your big day. Look for comfortable shoes that match the formality of your wedding. plain white satin shoes are just fine.

Don’t buy your shoes at the bridal salon; they can be marked up as much as $50. Beaded shoes are really not a necessity, and it is unlikely you find a reason to wear them again.

In order to find a reasonable price for your veil and headpiece, you will need to comparison shop. Alternately, have a talented friend make one for you. Kits are available at many craft stores or online. You could go without a headpiece if your wedding is less formal. Find a great stylist to dress your hair up instead.