While the cake, the venue, and the decor make a wedding special, it’s the dress that’s the true star of the show. If you’ve spent countless hours scrolling through Pinterest and paging through magazines to build your dream dress design, then you’ll want it to be perfect.
However, of all the mistakes you can make when shopping for a wedding dress, overpaying is among the most egregious. Fortunately, you can celebrate your unique style without having to break the bank. Check out these budgeting tips for finding your perfect wedding dress.
Set Your Dress Budget Before You Shop
Among the most important steps is deciding how much you can comfortably spend on your wedding dress before you step foot in a boutique or start filling your online cart. Know your overall wedding budget, then assign a percentage to each category, including apparel like your dress. Many couples allocate about eight to 10 percent for wedding attire, but your priorities may differ.
As you build your wedding dress budget, include the extras and accessories needed for your nuptials, including shoes, jewelry, makeup, hair, undergarments, and alterations. If you’re paying for your wedding party’s dresses, you need to allocate those costs as well.
Explore a Range of Price Points
There’s no rule that says you must buy a designer gown at full price. Keeping an open mind can lead to major savings. For example, shop sample sales and trunk shows. Many bridal boutiques host periodic sample sales where beautiful gowns are deeply discounted. Trunk shows occasionally offer exclusive deals straight from designers.
Prioritize Your Must-Haves
Create a list of nonnegotiables. Think about fabric, silhouette, color, or other details that are essential to your style. Research what these features cost so you can build the prices into your budget. Communicate these points clearly when shopping or consulting with a seamstress. It will cost you more money (and time) to get your dress made to your vision the second or third time around, which is why it pays to be clear upfront.
Save on Alterations and Accessories
Your dress may need a bit of tailoring, but there are still ways to keep costs in check. For instance, ask for price estimates upfront among different seamstresses, then compare your options. Veils, jewelry, and shoes are all items that can be borrowed from friends and family or even rented for the day.
Think Outside the Box
Don’t limit yourself to traditional wedding dress styles. Explore different options such as jumpsuits, separates, or even nontraditional colors for your gown. You may be surprised at how stunning and unique these choices can be.
Shopping for your dream wedding gown should be an experience filled with excitement and anticipation, not anxiety over price tags. These budgeting tips for finding your dream wedding dress will make it easier to say yes to a dress that makes you feel amazing and falls within your budget.
