One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is shopping for a wedding dress, but when you’re working with a tight budget the process can be daunting. Many brides may assume they will have to compromise on their dress when they need to stretch their wedding budget, but there’s no need to forgo your dream dress when you shop smart.
Here are five top tips for finding a gorgeous wedding dress at an affordable price.
1. Buy a pre-owned dress
Many brides find that their wedding dress is as good as new after their big day, and they opt to recoup their expenses by selling it. Buying a pre-owned dress can be a great way to snap up a bargain.
Even if the dress shows some noticeable signs of wear, hiring a seamstress to replace a trim or having it dry cleaned will likely still save you money in the long run. Remember to be cautious of buying a pre-owned dress online if you won’t be able to see it before parting with your cash.
2. Shop off the rack
Most bridal boutiques make dresses to order, rather than carrying an extensive stock of readymade dresses. This is why it’s usually recommended to shop for your dress 9 to 12 months before your big day. A great way to save money is to buy off the rack instead.
Off-the-rack gowns tend to be cheaper, and their quality is just as good as made-to-order gowns. Plus, you can take them home with you on the same day. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time before the wedding in case you need a seamstress to make some alterations.
3. Check out sample sales
Bridal salons periodically replace and update their range of sample dresses, and they often sell off samples for fantastic prices. This is a great way to find a designer dress at a much more affordable rate. Just be sure to check for signs of wear and tear on the dress.
As with buying off the rack, give yourself time to have alterations made so that the dress fits you perfectly. Keep in mind there are usually no-return policies on sample sales, so make sure you’re happy before committing.
4. Rent a luxury gown
Renting is a genius way of securing a luxury wedding dress, without the luxury price tag. Rental dresses are thoroughly dry cleaned and repaired between each use, so you don’t have to worry about quality.
The only thing to consider is that you’ll have to keep the dress in perfect condition. Any damages could result in you being charged for the dress’s full value.
5. Adopt a family heirloom
You can avoid buying a new dress at all when you wear the wedding dress of a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, or other family member. This can be a beautiful way to honour important relatives or to create family traditions.
You could wear the dress as it is, or take it to a seamstress to adapt it to suit your style and current trends. Even extensive alterations tend to be cheaper than buying a brand-new dress. Plus, the sentimental value of wearing a beloved family heirloom is priceless.
Bag your dream dress without breaking the bank
A tight budget doesn’t have to mean you settle for anything less than the perfect dress. Think outside the box and try one of these five tips to find your dream gown for a dreamy price.
