Saving Money on a Wedding Dress

Cutting Wedding Costs: Find a Wedding Dress for Less

Considering many dresses carry price tags of a thousand dollars or more it pays to do your homework when shopping for a wedding dress. These tips should help you in that process.

Find One in the Family

Many people save their wedding dresses. There may be several people in your family that would be willing to loan or give you their dress. Obviously, it has to be a style that you want to wear. But if you like the style you probably can have it altered to fit.

Rent a Dress

The ability to rent a wedding is becoming more and more common. This allows you to get the dress of your dreams without having to pay the purchase price.

Make a Dress

Find a pattern and fabric and either make it yourself or have someone else do it.

Shop Around

The first thing you should do is find a style of wedding dress that you love. Once you have chosen a style that will make you look your best there are a number of places to look for your dress and get a discounted price.

1. Shop Online: You can buy both new and used dresses online at discount prices. You can also test your luck with Ebay.
2. Consignment Shops: While you are looking for a dress a lot of other people are cleaning out their closets and selling theirs. Consignment shops offer a good opportunity versus buying online because you can view the dresses in person and try them on before buying.
3. Discount Stores: Bridal discount stores and outlets also offer an opportunity to find dress for less than retail.

Buy Something You Can Wear Again

It's my advice to all brides that they don't buy a very expensive langa** for their marriage. It's better to buy a different colour langa which can be worn on other occasions also, so that, after the wedding, you don't feel that you can't wear your marriage langa on particular occasions.

**Editor's Note: A langa or lengha is a decorated full skirt used in traditional women's attire in India. This advice could be applied to a traditional Western wedding outfit as well.

Saving Money on a Wedding Dress

Don't feel you have to spend a lot on a wedding dress. The First one for me was a version of my grandmother's wedding dress. And the second was a long green linen dress for a garden wedding I got in a thrift shop for $4. No one could tell the difference!

By Pam from CA

Buying a Wedding Dress on eBay

I purchased my brand new Mori Lee Blu Line wedding dress on eBay for $185 including the shipping. The dress was being sold by a bridal shop that was clearing out unsold inventory. It is beautiful and fit me perfectly, without alterations. You may be unable to return it, unless the seller specifies that you can, so read the description very carefully.

By vm0611

Finding a Used Wedding Dress

Thrift Stores or Clearance Sections

Goodwill and Salvation Army often carry wedding dresses. Also, ask the local wedding places if they have any dresses on clearance. That's how I found mine for $100 at a wedding place and with alterations I needed, I only spent 350.00 but I also bought a veil and had my dress bustled in the back. Check your local papers too.

By imaqt1962

Rent It!

How about renting one, We think we need it forever but we really don't. I would look at second hand stores or goodwill. Do you have a friend who could embellish one if you find one that looks too plain? Good luck!

By Angelique

eBay

I would recommend looking at eBay if you are able to. You can find just about anything on there and you decide how much you want to pay!

By Natalie

ebay Want It Now Ad

eBay has a "want it now" department where you can post an ad for the wedding dress. If someone lists a dress in the size and color you want, they will e-mail you and let you know. You could also run an ad in a local newspaper or check with your local consignment shop.

By Mary

Thrift Stores

I would check your local thrift shops. I have one in my area that has a whole room of prom gowns, wedding dresses and other formal dresses even for the mother of the bride. It also has several accessories that you can use like veils, gloves, etc. Maybe your area has one like that. If not, I would check listings in my local paper. Sometimes there are ads for them. Another place to try would be a Freecycle group in your area. You can ask for exactly what you want and if there is any member who has what you want, it is absolutely free!

By maggiemay

Craigslist

Lots of people suggested going to Goodwill or eBay and I have one more suggestion - Craigslist! I have been looking for a dress for my upcoming wedding and lots of people in CA post their dresses on http://www.craigslist.com. The great part is the seller usually lives close enough to you that you can see the dress and try it on before buying it.

By Aja

Consignment Stores

No one has mentioned here that you can buy them at clothing consignment stores. My daughter bought her's there for $125.00. It's full length, very long train with lace sleeves, such detail. Just look in your yellow pages for consignment clothing and even drive to towns around your area if you need to searching. It's worth it to save that extra money. Most the time they have a section or rack geared just for the wedding needs from dresses to veils, gloves etc.

Most people who needed money fast sold them already to the consignment stores or have them there and get there 50% take when sold. Some of those stores even offer time payment plans so you can pay it off little by little if you are hurting for forking out your total money right then. And when you are finished with your dress on your special day, just resell it back to the consignment store. You will not get your full amount back you had to pay for it but you will have some money in your hand. Most often, the dress stays in the closet for years, never worn for any occasion. Besides, you'll have your photos to show of your beautiful day.

By theseamstress

Adding Embellishments to a Plain Wedding Gown

I recently bought a plain wedding dress. In an attempt to save money, I am interested in adding jewels to it myself to make it a bit more glamorous. Where can I find/buy the materials to do this (jewels, glue, etc.) and does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to go about doing it?

By Justine

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Cheap Wedding Dresses

Do you know any sites that are good at replica wedding dresses?

By Anna from Seattle, WA