Wedding Dress
There's nothing like donning an H&M dress with some fabulous accessories and passing it off for a
YSL or a Lanvin. But could you pull off the same with a wedding gown?
I say yes.
Wedding gowns can run into the thousands, which can eat into a good portion of any wedding
budget. Of course you want to look amazing for your big day and all your photos, but you'd also like
to give your guests something to eat, drink, and ideally sit on (even if Uncle Hal is more of the
wander-around-inebriated type).
Wedding gowns are one area where you can significantly cut your costs. I don't believe in
compromising on looking absolutely stunning on your wedding day, but I do believe in being smart
about looking for the best deal possible. Nowadays, inexpensive options abound, so you'd be
remiss if you didn't check them out to see if your dress isn't lurking in these places.
Here are the best ways to score a cheap wedding dress:
1. Check Out Mass Retailers.
Mass retailers are getting into the wedding gown biz. It started with J. Crew, and the rest followed.
We found these affordable numbers surprisingly attractive. Here, spend some of your savings on
custom tailoring to make your dress uniquely yours--take off cap sleeves or add on embellishments.
See our chart for our favorite mass market lines.
2. Head Online.
Nothing replaces the romanticized experience of heading to a bridal salon and trying on dresses
with your mom and a few glasses of champagne--but after a few tiring sessions, any bride can tell
you it gets old fast. According to Heather Levine, fashion editor at The Knot, the majority of brides
still buy their dresses in-store, but more and more are heading online such
as dresses-shopping.com, to overstock or consignment sellers.
3. Consider a Used Wedding Dress.
Almost 80% of LearnVest.com readers said they'd consider a used wedding dress on the big day.
Yes, someone else wore it already. But only once. You can have it professionally cleaned, and may
be able to afford a higher end designer this way. Many sites use a peer-to-peer model to
wear Sheath Sweet-Heart Pleated Brooch Ankle Length Chiffon Mother of the Bride Dress,
so you contact the seller directly. You can ask all kinds of questions (see below) and arrange
shipping and return logistics. Pro: Because you're dealing directly with the seller, you can negotiate
the price. Con: You're dealing with an individual as opposed to a business, so build in the
unpredictability factor.
4. Get the Best Tailor in Town
An excellent tailor is key for altering a used or sample dress. A creative tailor can also modify a
dress to make it your own, with custom embellishments or handiwork. A tip on sizing from Mara
Urshel, owner and president of bridal store Kleinfeld in New York City: When buying a used gown,
choose according to your largest measurement (bust, waist, hip). For example, if your hip
measurement is size 8 but your bust is size 6, order the size 8. It's always easier to take in.
5. Ask Questions About Used Or Sample Dresses.
- Can you Skype? We've seen sellers who will Skype with long-distance buyers to show them the
dress.
- What are the measurements? Nearly every Champagne Satin Sheath/Column Chest Wrap Zip
up Basque Waist Ruched s altered, and a previously-altered dress won't match the size label. If it's
a sample size, they tend to run smaller than street sizes.
- Was the dress cleaned after use? How? Did the original wearer get anything on it?
It's a bit impolite to ask if it's a "divorce" dress. If you're going down the path of used gowns, you
should just accept that your chances are 50/50.
6. Other Ways To Save (And Do Good).
Consider a mom or family member's old gown--even if it's old-fashioned looking or not quite your
style, give it a critical eye and see if a creative tailor can't transform it. Check out local sample sales
and trunk shows at your bridal salons and department stores. Levine also suggests the charity
angle--Brides Against Breast Cancer hosts trunk shows across the country featuring donated new
and used gowns, and proceeds fulfill wishes for terminal breast cancer patients. Encorebridal.com,
which has a mix of both new and used dresses, donates to cervical cancer for each gown sold.
The Bottom Line.
Beautiful accessories like veils, jewelry, or hairpieces, lovely shoes, and of course, great hair and
makeup all make a dress come to life. So there's no reason not to try to score a deal on the dress.
Besides, everyone that day will just be focused on the glow on your face. And you can use the extra
money saved for those vintage earrings, renting the cotton candy machine, or your
honeymoon--by then, your dress will just be a little heap that's yesterday's news.
see also:
Wedding Reception Dos and Don’ts
How to Get the Cheap Wedding Dresses
Wedding Party Dressing Tips