If you’re not yet Internet savvy, by the time you finish your research, you
will be. There are so many wedding gowns online; you’ll want to see as many as
possible. The search can feel overwhelming so we will save you the trouble by
offering some ideas to help you with your online shopping and research.
Sticker shock is a common side effect of shopping for a wedding dress. What
if the sky isn’t the limit? How do you buy the dress of your dreams when you’re
on a budget? You will be amazed at the possibilities.
For great deals on a wide variety of wedding dresses and other wedding-related items,
.
There are real bargains in regular bridal shops. A quick way to find one
near you is to let your fingers do the walking in the
online Yellow Pages.
Try a consignment shop that carries "just worn once" wedding gowns. In some
cities, there are even consignment shops that specialize in bridal gowns,
such as
Michael's on New York's Madison Avenue.
Some department stores have off-the-rack gowns that are less expensive than
in a bridal store, but the selection is also much more limited.
If time is on your side, check with boutiques in your area for "out of
season" sales.
Ask a family member or good friend who is somewhere near your size if you
can borrow her dress.
Visit bridal designer outlets. If you're not sure if an outlet is in your
area, check out
Outletbound. Search its database by store brand, store name, or
location. The database contains over 14,000 outlets and 350 outlet centers
in the US and Canada.
Consider mail order.
Make your own
wedding dress, or hire a dressmaker. To check the fit and
appearance, make the bodice (or whole dress) in an inexpensive material
before using your bridal fabric. Also, use a dress form for easier access to
the in-progress piece. You can even buy quality
wedding gown fabrics online at discount prices.
Buy a store sample, or order a dress at a trunk sale.
Choose a bridal-style dress that isn't sold as a bridal gown. Many
less-expensive bridesmaids' dresses come in white or ivory.
Wear something that doesn't look like a typical wedding dress but fits your
personality.
Departmental stores, such as
Neiman Marcus and
Nordstrom, also offer a wide selection if you are looking for something
that is slightly informal, as well as discounts on special-occasion dresses.
Shop at an online store or auctions, which can also offer you a better
bargain than you can find in brick-and-mortar stores.
If your heart is set on a designer dress, but you don’t have a designer
wallet, you might find a designer sampler dress for a fraction of the cost.
These dresses are created by the designer for brides to try on in boutiques;
at the end of the season they are usually sold for considerably less than
full price. Designer gowns that are inspired by designers or duplicates of
designer dresses are two other ways to own a dress that looks like a million
but doesn’t cost anywhere near it.
Step it up a notch and go for the ultimate -- a couture wedding dress on a
budget. Believe it or not you do have choices.
If money is no object
You can even have a custom wedding dress made for you. Be sure
to visit a number of shops to compare, and always take a trusted friend
(with good taste) along to give you an honest opinion.
One advantage of buying from a bridal store is that it will have such a huge
selection, you can try on many styles before deciding what you want.
The degree of formality, the season, and the location of the ceremony will
help you determine the kind of fabric, length, and style you want. There is
a wedding dress designer for every taste and type of wedding.
If you are planning a very formal wedding, you'll want to consider a gown
made of peau de soie, satin, or lace. It should be floor length, with a long
train and veil. You’ll need gloves with a short-sleeved or sleeveless dress.
A formal wedding suggests a chapel or sweep-train length gown, with a
hem-length or fingertip-length veil.
An elegant, short dress with an elbow-length veil or a simple floor-length
dress without a train is appropriate for a semi-formal wedding. A
street-length silk suit or jacketed dress with a shorter veil or bridal-type
hat is ideally suited for an informal wedding.
A
bridal salon can be a great help in choosing the best design for you. Step
one is to find shops in your area and visit them. Call ahead because many
require appointments.
Get the feel of the place and the personnel.
Once you have found one where you feel at home, openly discuss your tastes,
concerns, and budget. Remember that you want to accentuate your best
features and to be comfortable. Try sitting, bending, and dancing.
Note: Prices are those currently reported to us by each
merchant.
