The perfect fairy tale wedding is something that many little girls dream of. Brides want to have their dream wedding with all of the bells and whistles, and for good reason. It’s their big day!
When the big day starts approaching, however, the sheer cost of a wedding can be very disheartening. One of the biggest costs in a wedding is the wedding dress. Some wedding dresses can cost thousands of dollars, and even the more reasonably priced wedding dresses can cost hundreds. However, you don’t have to pay that much for a dress.
Here are a few ways to save money on a wedding dress…
1. Shop Last Season’s Styles
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t head right for the latest wedding dress styles. Instead, you can look into the previous seasons styles. Buying an “out of style” (GASP!) garment is a great way to save money on a wedding dress. Wedding dresses are frequently discontinued and old styles are deeply discounted to make way for new styles. This is a great way to snag a gorgeous traditional gown for a fraction of the original price.
2. Rent a Wedding Dress
You could go out and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a dress you’ll most likely only wear once. Or, you could just rent one to help save money on a wedding dress. What? The guys can rent tuxedos – why can’t the girls rent their gowns? Some bridal shops rent gowns, and you can also rent gowns from formal wear rental businesses. A quick online search should give you a nice list of places you can rent wedding dresses from.
3. Go Used
Buying a used wedding dress is a great way to save money on a wedding dress! Some places to look for a wedding dress include classified ads, Craigslist, Ebay, consignment shops, and even thrift stores. If you do buy used to save money on a wedding dress, though, make sure you inspect it for wear, stains, rips, and other damage.
4. Think Outside the Bridal Box
There are tons of gorgeous gowns out there, and not all of them are wedding gowns. If you really need to save money on a wedding dress, don’t buy a wedding dress at all. Instead, look at bridesmaid dresses – especially if you’re open to a color other than traditional white – and even prom dresses.
5. Make Your Own Wedding Dress
If you’re crafty and handy with a sewing machine, making your own wedding dress may be an option. Oftentimes, buying a wedding dress pattern and material is a great way to save money on a wedding dress! Just make sure you know what you’re doing or have assistance from someone who does, otherwise you’ll end up spending money with nothing in return but piles of ruined fabric.
6. Borrow a Wedding Dress
What’s the best way to save money on a wedding dress? Don’t pay anything at all, and borrow it instead. Your wedding dress could also be your “something old” and “something borrowed”. Since many women keep their wedding dresses in storage, you may be able to borrow (or inherit) a wedding dress from a female friend or member of your family. An inherited wedding dress, such as one from your mother or grandmother, would also be that much more special!
