photographer: Karolina Grabowska
A wedding is a once-a-lifetime occasion for most people. This fact brings a temptation to use all your money in making the day memorable by investing in the most exquisite items available. Brides, aware that they are the center of attraction, try to put their best foot forward, especially on what they wear. Shopping for a gown is hard, as it is a first-time decision and often the only one for brides-to-be.
A basic wedding budgeting rule suggests that the gown should not cost more than 5 percent of your total budget for your big day. This rule is flexible as how much money you will spend on your wedding dress depends on many other factors.
Photographer: Trung Nguyen
Factors That Influence Wedding Dress Cost
Decide What You Want
The type of wedding gown to settle for is probably the hardest decision a bride has to make. It is more stressful for brides who have never tried one before or with little interest in the fashion world. Even with all eyes on you, do not lose yourself trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. Do you want to flaunt your curves or be a princess in a regal ball gown? Stick to your style.
Ensure you are comfortable with your choice. If you are planning to dance your way into marriage, get something that will allow you to make moves.
Photographer: Dazzle Jam
More Details Come at a Higher Cost
A wedding dress with extreme details like pricey fabric and lots of beading costs more as intricate gowns involve more materials and are labor-intensive. A plainer wedding dress, on the other hand, will cost less since it involves less work and money to make.
Photographer: Mukesh Mohanty
Alterations, Undergarments, and Accessories
Alterations can be extremely costly depending on the details. The amount of money you ultimately spend will depend on the number and complexity of changes you want to do. Factor in the undergarments and accessories to go with the gown as they affect the final look and fit. Include them in your bridal dress cost as they are necessities.
Most wedding gowns require professional cleaning and care before and after the occasion which can cost more than 200 dollars depending on the complexity and fragility of the fabric.
Photographer: Terje Sollie
Type of Occasion
While some couples go all the way to have a grand occasion, others prefer to keep it simple and intimate. The size and the type of occasion you choose will influence what you will wear. Also, if you spend much on the function, you are likely to buy a more expensive dress.
An evening wedding with a few family and friends means a relaxed bride that will most likely go for something simple and cost-friendly. A grand ball will require the bride to match the event with an equally sophisticated gown.
Photographer: Emma Bauso
Budget
People often spend more on what they deem important. If what you will wear down the aisle counts more to you than any other thing, then you will allocate more funds towards the gown. Priority, therefore, plays a major role in how much one is willing to spend on one wedding dress.
Money at hand is another major influence on how much one will spend on a wedding dress since you can only spend what you have or can access.
Here are some ways to cut down on the wedding dress cost and still rock on your big day.
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- Get a simple dress and accessorize it. Since more accessories push the cost of the dress upwards, get a less adorned gown, and add the details yourself. Use the internet for guidelines from DIY experts. The final look of your attire may surprise you by adding some details to your initially plain outfit.
- Avoid major alterations. If you have to change the silhouette, collar, or other major alterations, the dress is not for you. More changes are financially and time involving.
- Shop early. Last-minute shopping for anything is always a bad idea, and the same applies to a wedding dress. With limited time, you may not have enough time to browse through various options hence likely to spend more. On the contrary, enough time will allow you to check different options and ultimately, the best prices.
- Visit trunk shows and consider sample sales. Trunk shows offer brides to be opportunities to rock their favorite designer’s outfits at about 5-10 percent discounts. If your dream is to walk down the aisle in a designer dress, visit trunk shows. If you are a size 6 to 12, check with bridal salons for sample sales of dresses from the past season. You may find a gorgeous piece at an incredibly low price in one of these sales.
- Consider yard or garage sales. Many former brides are stuck with their gowns. Some people in deep financial crisis opt to sell even things they cherish like gowns, to help them stay afloat. Whatever the reason behind them selling, you can get a great bargain from the sales.
- Check out thrift shops. Thrift shops stock everything from nothing to the most priced treasures. If you start shopping early enough, you may get a better deal than you could imagine.
- Ask on social media platforms or groups in your area. Use technology to get the best deals and ask on platforms in your areas.
- Think of renting. Most people invest in glamorous wedding dresses and feel cheated after the occasion as they do not know what to do with it. You do not want to spend a fortune and regret it later. Renting gives you a chance to adorn an expensive dress at extremely low rates.
Photographer: Alexander Mils
In Conclusion
Choosing a wedding dress is stressful for most people. The tips above make it possible for anyone to make the right decision in settling for what to wear on their great day. Whatever piece you choose should give you maximum comfort on your big day and bring the best out of you. It is impossible to fit into everyone’s taste, hence a gown is a self-centric choice. Ensure you are comfortable with the amount you spend on a wedding dress.