If you’re planning your wedding – congratulations! And, I’m sure you’re super-excited to start shopping for your wedding dress. Before you dive in, it’s a good idea assess your budget from the start so you can afford the gown of your dreams and reduce the chance of being disappointed.
Just imagine finding the dress you have envisioned for your wedding but not being able to buy it because of the high cost. Sure, you’re only going to wear it once BUT it still has to be the right dress to make you feel special on your big day, even if you don’t want to break the bank to buy it.
This is why it is a much better idea to set a budget first and only look for affordable options. In this way, you won’t break the bank and will still be able to wear a stunning dress. The good news is that you can really find a beautiful yet affordable dress if you do your research, learn some budget tips and embrace a little bit of creativity. Here’s how…
1. Set a budget
Setting a budget is among the most important factors to consider when searching for your wedding dress. Keep in mind that your outfit will be complete with the right accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and various alterations, so make sure to leave enough space for all these expenses as well.
The good news is that there are many dresses available at an affordable price and, by setting a budget, you can make the search for these dresses a more manageable process. Knowing the value you can spend will help you stay on track with your goals, remain more focused, bid farewell to the stress felt during these moments and embrace the journey of finding an affordable dress.
2. Think about the style
The style of your wedding dress is also important to consider, as it can narrow down your choices and help you find your dream dress much sooner. For example, do you prefer an A-line gown and wish to look like a princess? Or, would you like to wear something that accentuates your silhouette? Do you prefer lace, satin or tulle? Any colour preferences?
You need to decide what you prefer the most, and start browsing online or through bridal magazines to explore different styles. Additionally, pay attention to the venue you have chosen – sometimes this can help to determine the style – such traditional lace for a church ceremony or a floaty modern dress for a destination beach wedding.
3. Look for your wedding dress at the right time
When you want to save money, looking for a wedding dress at the right time is crucial, as this can significantly impact the cost of your wedding attire. There are some special times in the year when dresses will be more affordable, such as end-of-season sales and during the post-Christmas period.
Additionally, bridal designers tend to release two new collections each year in April and October, so buying a dress from the previous season will be cheaper after the new range is launched. So, why not do yourself a favour and buy your wedding dress when the timing is perfect? In this way, you can get stunning dresses at amazing discounts, which is surely something worth exploring.
4. Negotiate the price
Depending on the place where you are buying your wedding dress, you can also try asking for discounts. So, if your dress is over the set budget, you can ask if they can apply a special discount to you, such as a seasonal sales promotion, early-payment benefits or a discount for ex-shop stock.
Some boutiques are open to offering solutions to their clients, including payment plans or help with sourcing a similar dress within your budget. Plus, adding on the veil, underskirt and alterations means you’re spending more with them, so they might be open to negotiating a better price for the whole bundle. So, be friendly, open a dialogue, and try to find a solution together with the vendor.
5. Be open to alterations
Sometimes, the wedding dress may require several alterations to look perfect on you, especially if you’re buying an off-the-rails dress rather than an expensive custom-made one. So, it is a good idea to be open to these alternatives if you have found a dress that falls with your budget but doesn’t quite fit.
Small adjustments can transform how a dress looks on you, which is why they are worth considering dresses that may be too long or a little too big. Easy alternations to the fit, such as taking in the seams or turning up the hem is often included in the price of the dress, so will enable you to get your dream dress without overspending, even if it’s not initally the ideal fit.
6. Consider DIY customising
Considering DIY work is also a great idea to save some pennies. Sometimes, dresses with embellishments are more expensive than those with simple designs. However, if enjoy a bit of floral embroidery and want to save some money, you might consider doing the embellishments yourself.
This also allows you to demonstrate your skills and transform a simple dress to suit your taste. Plus, you can incorporate some threads in a coordinaing colour to match the theme of your wedding. Customising a dress youself is one of the best ways to get an entirely unique gown that truly reflects your personality and tastes.
Finding your dream dress doesn’t need to come with a high price tag, especially since you’ll only wear it once. Even though you might think your options are limited when searching for a wedding dress on a budget, it’s certainly possible to find a large variety of options that are both stunning and affordable.
I hope these ideas will help you to finding the perfect wedding dress without breaking the bank. Please let me know how you cut the cost of your own wedding dress in the comments below, I’d love to hear your wedding-day hacks! 🙂
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