Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are expensive. In fact, the average cost of a wedding dress is estimated to be around $2,000. But there are ways to find a beautiful dress without blowing your budget. One way to save money is to buy pre-owned. Websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com and StillWhite offer designer dresses at a fraction of their retail price. You could also shop at bridal sample sales or buy floor samples from bridal salons. Many bridal boutiques make dresses to order, so buying off-the-rack can also save you money. If you have a specific design in mind, a custom-made dress from a local seamstress or dressmaker can be a worthy investment. Department stores and online retailers like ASOS, JCPenney, or Target also offer affordable white dresses that can work for a wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing of purchase | Many retailers have sales during off-peak wedding seasons like late winter or early fall. Buying during these times can save you money. |
| Designer trunk shows | Trunk shows are events where stores offer incentives like discounts. You can try on gowns that aren't normally sold in stores and find marked-down designer dresses. |
| Sample sales | Bridal boutiques and designers organize sample sales to clear out older styles, and you can find statement-making looks at significant discounts of up to 70% off. |
| Pre-owned dresses | Websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, StillWhite, and Loved Twice Bridal offer designer dresses at a fraction of the retail price. Many of these dresses are in excellent condition, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. |
| Department stores and online retailers | Department stores and online retailers like ASOS, JCPenney, or Target offer white dresses that can work beautifully for a wedding at more affordable prices. |
| Custom-made dresses | Local seamstresses or dressmakers can create a unique dress tailored to your preferences at a lower price than a designer gown. |
| Versatility | Choosing a versatile dress that you can rewear for other occasions can decrease the overall cost per wear. |
| Family heirloom | Wearing a wedding dress passed down from family members can be a budget-friendly and sentimental option. You can alter it to suit your style and current trends. |
| Budgeting | Establish a realistic budget that includes potential alterations, accessories, and cleaning. Set a firm limit to avoid overspending and explore options within your budget. |
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What You'll Learn
Buy pre-owned or from sample sales
Buying pre-owned or purchasing from sample sales are excellent ways to find a wedding dress on a budget.
Pre-owned
Many brides opt to sell their wedding dresses after their big day, as they are often as good as new. Buying a pre-owned dress can be a great way to snap up a bargain, even if you need to hire a seamstress to replace a trim or get it dry-cleaned. You can find pre-owned dresses on sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, StillWhite, and Loved Twice Bridal. These sites offer a wide range of designer dresses at a fraction of their retail price, and many are in excellent condition. Shopping pre-owned is also an eco-friendly choice, giving beautiful dresses a second life.
Sample Sales
Bridal boutiques and designers organize sample sales once or twice a year to clear out last season's styles and make room for new designs. You can find statement-making looks at significant discounts of up to 70% off. Sample gowns are those that have been tried on in-store but remain in excellent condition. By buying the sample rather than ordering new, you can save a lot of money. Sample sales often feature popular designers, so you may be able to score a high-quality gown for a fraction of the cost.
Family Heirlooms
If you're open to it, wearing a family heirloom wedding dress is a beautiful way to honour your relatives and add sentimental value to your big day. You can always take it to a seamstress to adapt it to your style and current trends. Even extensive alterations tend to be cheaper than buying a new dress.
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Choose a versatile dress to rewear
One way to save money on your wedding dress is to choose a versatile dress that you can rewear. This could be a traditional white dress or a colourful ensemble, but the versatility will ensure you are prepared for future black-tie events. You could also sell the dress after your wedding to recoup some of the costs. Websites like Stillwhite, Sell My Wedding Dress, and Facebook Marketplace offer brides the chance to sell their gowns.
If you are happy to forgo the traditional white dress, you could opt for a colourful dress that you could rewear to multiple events. This is a sustainable choice and will ensure you get more than one use out of your dress.
You could also choose to wear a wedding dress that has been passed down from a mother, grandmother, sister, or aunt. This is a beautiful way to honour your family and create traditions. You could wear the dress as it is or adapt it to suit your style and current trends. Even extensive alterations tend to be cheaper than buying a brand-new dress.
Another option is to buy a pre-owned dress. Websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, StillWhite, and Loved Twice Bridal offer a wide range of designer dresses at a fraction of their retail price. Many of these dresses are in excellent condition, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. Shopping for pre-owned dresses also gives you the possibility of snagging a designer gown and giving beautiful dresses a second life.
Bridal sample sales are another great way to find a cheap wedding dress. Bridal boutiques and designers organise these sales to clear out last season's styles, and you can find statement-making looks for up to 70% off.
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Opt for a family heirloom
Opting for a family heirloom wedding dress is a beautiful way to honour your relatives and create family traditions. It is also a budget-friendly option that adds sentimental value to your big day. You could wear the dress as it is or take it to a seamstress to adapt it to your style and current trends.
Even extensive alterations tend to be cheaper than buying a brand-new dress. A skilled tailor can modernise a vintage gown by altering the fit, adding new embellishments, or making structural changes. For example, you could remove shoulder pads, alter the neckline, or change the sleeve style. It is important to note that vintage gowns are likely to be made from delicate fabric, so it is recommended to consult a vintage specialist for any cleaning or alteration repairs.
If you are considering wearing a family heirloom dress, start by trying on the dress to see what alterations may be needed. You can then consult a seamstress to discuss what changes can be made to the dress. It may be helpful to bring inspiration or share photos of similar dresses to give the seamstress a better idea of your vision.
Wearing a family heirloom dress is a meaningful tradition that adds a unique and sentimental touch to your wedding day. It is a way to symbolise your deep connection to your family's history and strengthen the bonds between generations.
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Shop department stores and online
Department stores and online retailers are great options for finding a cheap wedding dress. Many department stores have a range of wedding dresses, including Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Saks. Macy's, for example, offers Calvin Klein's High-Low A-Line Gown for $299.
Popular online retailers like Reformation, Meshki, and Amazon also offer affordable wedding dresses. Amazon, for instance, offers a range of white gowns starting at just $34, with free 2-day shipping for Prime members and free returns.
If you're looking for a more unique or non-traditional dress, sites like Etsy and Nearly Newlywed offer a wide range of options, from new and pre-owned designer gowns to custom couture. Etsy dresses range from the low hundreds to $1,300, while Nearly Newlywed offers designer gowns at major markdowns.
Other online retailers with affordable options include BHLDN, Torrid, and ASOS, with prices starting as low as $99. TheDressWarehouse features a variety of styles, including fitted and mermaid-style dresses, ballgowns, and designer short wedding dresses.
For those looking for a more sustainable option, sites like Stillwhite, the largest global marketplace for pre-owned wedding dresses, allow you to buy directly from other brides and sell your dress after your big day. With over 97,002 wedding gowns available, you're sure to find a dream dress that fits your budget.
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Plan for off-peak sales
If you're looking for a wedding dress on a budget, planning for off-peak sales can be a strategic move. Here are some tips to guide you:
Timing is key
The months of March and April are typically slower for bridal shops, and this timing can work in your favour. During these months, seamstresses and boutiques may be more open to negotiating prices or offering discounts to secure your business. This is because demand is lower, and they are more willing to be flexible to make a sale.
Off-peak wedding season
The off-peak wedding season, usually between October and December, is an ideal time to visit boutiques and retail stores for wedding dresses. During this period, prices for wedding dresses, especially those made with more affordable fabrics, tend to be lower. This is a great opportunity to find a beautiful gown that fits within your budget.
January discounts
January is a prime month for wedding dress discounts. Many stores offer promotions to clear out unsold dresses from the previous year, often with significant discounts. It's also peak engagement season, with many newly engaged brides starting their dress search, so retailers take advantage of this by offering sales and new collections.
Sample sales
Bridal boutiques and salons hold sample sales throughout the year, but especially during slower months like January and July. These sales offer discounts ranging from 40% to 90% off, allowing you to purchase designer gowns at a fraction of the original price.
Online options
Shopping online can also lead to significant savings. Websites like Etsy offer custom, made-to-order wedding dresses at more affordable prices than traditional bridal salons. Additionally, online retailers like Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, and ASOS have their own wedding lines with incredibly affordable options, allowing you to find a dream dress that suits your budget.
Planning for off-peak sales requires research and flexibility, but it can pay off with significant savings on your wedding dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips to save money on your wedding dress:
- Shop during sales, especially during off-peak wedding seasons like late winter or early fall.
- Buy pre-owned. Websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, StillWhite, and Loved Twice Bridal offer designer dresses at a fraction of their retail price.
- Shop sample sales or purchase floor samples from bridal salons.
- Choose a versatile dress that you can rewear.
- Opt for a simple dress and elevate it with accessories.
- Wear a family member's wedding dress with alterations.
- Buy off-the-rack instead of made-to-order.
- Rent your wedding dress from retailers like Rent the Runway and Nearly Newlywed.
The average cost of a wedding dress is estimated to be around $2,000 to $2,439. However, this can vary depending on factors such as design, fabric, and labour.
You can find affordable wedding dresses at various places, including:
- Bridal sample sales and floor sample sales at bridal salons.
- Pre-owned wedding dress websites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, StillWhite, and Loved Twice Bridal.
- Department stores and online retailers like ASOS, JCPenney, or Target.
- Local seamstresses or dressmakers who cater to bridal wear.
- Thrift stores and vintage shops for unique, vintage gowns.
To save money on alterations, it is recommended to start shopping for your dress early, at least nine months before your wedding. This will give you more options and help you avoid rush fees. When it comes to accessories, you can elevate a simple dress with statement belts, veils, and jewellery, which can be purchased separately at a lower cost.
