Budget Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
Wedding dresses are all different; they come in all colors and sizes. They also come in almost all prices- some wedding dresses can cost more than $10,000. With the average modern wedding costing about that much, almost every bride is looking for ways to cut costs. If that describes you, read on for some budget wedding dress shopping tips.
Buy the Samples
Many bridal boutiques and stores offer their customers a discount if they buy the floor sample gowns. Since samples are commonly tried on, they may have minor wear and tear, but if the bride is a good seamstress (or knows someone who is), buying a floor sample dress is a good way to save hundreds of dollars. If there's not a "floor sample price" quoted on the dress' tag, ask how much it would cost. Some stores don't show the prices of sample dresses, because they want to encourage brides to buy off-the-rack.
White or Ivory Bridesmaid Dresses are Beautiful, Too
Many companies and bridal wear designers are now offering bridesmaids' dresses in either ivory or white, making them appropriate for many brides. These dresses can cost as little as $50- an ideal price for the budget-conscious bride. Using a bridesmaids' dress in place of a wedding gown is a good choice for the bride that wants an informal vibe, or it can also be a good option for the bride that wants to change dresses at the wedding reception.
Other budget wedding dress shopping tips
- Ask your nearest bridal store or boutique if they rent dresses. This option is becoming more and more common; some stores offer nationwide shipping service.
- Check thrift stores and consignment shops. There, the stock frequently rotates, so keep checking back- or ask the manager to call you when new dresses come in.
- Use an online bridal gown store- some provide beautiful gowns for a mere percentage of the cost at a bridal boutique. Some wedding forums have "For Sale" sections where deals can also be found.
- Check with charity organizations, like Brides for Breast Cancer, which take gently used wedding dresses and sell them inexpensively. Not only will you be doing something good for a worthwhile cause, you'll be saving money!
- It can't hurt to ask for a discount if you are paying cash. Some stores offer a cash discount, or one for paying upfront.
Unlike the search of the groom for a nice tuxedo, buying a wedding dress on a budget takes a lot of searching, a lot of patience and a great deal of resourcefulness, but it is possible. There are a lot of brides who have used the budget wedding dress shopping tips provided above- and have ended up with the dress of their dreams at a fraction of the cost.