Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
If you’ve been dress shopping, you know how expensive wedding dresses can be. I don’t know about you, but I was really excited to wear a wedding dress, but I quickly became discouraged after my first appointment at a bridal boutique in Denver. Don’t get me wrong, the boutique was great, but it turns out I was a little behind schedule and getting a dress in on time was going to be challenging. And I learned that what I thought was a generous budget would severely limit my choices. Friends, that stressed me out!!!
I was really committed to keeping my small wedding to a reasonable budget and I knew this was going to be a key element to make sure that happened. So, I changed course and I ended up finding a beautiful dress at David’s Bridal — more on that later. For now, I wanted to provide some guidance for others that want to find an affordable wedding dress without sacrificing style. I didn’t want my dress to look cheap and I am sure you don’t either, which is why I am going to provide some of my top recommendations for places to find an affordable wedding dress for less than $1,000!
First, you might be wondering, is it even possible to find a wedding dress under $1,000 — I know I was! The answer is 100%, yes! There are tons of places to find an affordable wedding dress that is still quality. Regardless of whether you're looking for an airy, boho wedding dress for your summer wedding or elegant winter wedding attire that will keep you warm and comfy, you can find a wedding dress that fits your budget. The one thing to keep in mind is that alterations can significantly cut into your budget so you’ll want to factor that in (I’ll talk a little more about that below), but generally speaking, it is definitely possible to get a wedding dress for under $1,000.
Of course, the wedding dress will be a large part of your cost. Generally, the more simple the dress, the less expensive it’s going to be. More detailing like embroidery or beading, and additional lace overlays or layers are likely going to add cost to the dress. So, the general rule is that simpler equals less expensive.
Don’t forget about shipping. Some places will offer free shipping which is such a win, but others won’t so just be sure to check as you’re evaluating your options.
I have heard of cases where the cost for alterations exceeds the cost of the dress sooooo just be aware that can be a thing if you have a very detailed dress or are hoping to make some big changes.
Sample sales are where designers reduce prices in order to get rid of inventory that they aren’t going to carry into the next season — same as an end-of-clearance sale at your favorite store. This can be a great way to find a less expensive dress that would have otherwise been over your budget.
Ok, a little honesty hour here. I never thought I would step foot into David’s Bridal for my wedding dress. When it comes to my clothes, I do not sacrifice on quality and so I had a bit of a snotty attitude toward the idea of shopping at David’s Bridal, but let me tell you, I had the best experience there. The customer service was top notch — I even changed my mind on my dress and exchanged it after I had my first alterations appointment (the alterations hadn’t been completed yet). And, for me, it was just a better experience. They pulled a bunch of dresses, I tried them on really quick, the sales person was just there to help me zip, button, clasp and there was literally no pressure. And, I got a new dress with alterations for about $800. Ok, so that’s my plug. I recommend you check them out.
Etsy is such a good place to find affordable wedding dresses. This is my new favorite recommendation, for two reasons. First, in most cases, you can get a made-to-order dress for less than $1000. When I say made-to-order, I mean that you submit your measurements and will likely not need to have it altered. Or, if some alterations are necessary, they’ll be minimal so it won’t cost much. Second, you’re supporting an independent designer which I think is so cool.
If you decide to go this route, a few things to consider:
Here are a few of my favorites or check out other options here.
This is good for the planet and good for your wallet wedding dress option! There are a lot of used wedding dress shops online and the great thing about buying used wedding attire is that in most cases the dress has only been worn once which means it’s practically new. Be sure to check return and any buyer protection policies before you make a purchase.
Nearly Newlywed offers a wide selection of resale wedding dresses including dresses for anyone attending your wedding and accessories. Boutiques and designers also regularly list their sample sale dresses here. Check them out here
Wedzee has everything you need for your wedding, gently used. From wedding dresses to suits to decor this is sort of a one stop recycled wedding shop. Check them out here.
Hopefully this guide helps you see that finding a beautiful wedding dress for less than $1,000 is totally possible. If you’re looking to have a wedding on a budget, or just don’t want to spend that much on something you’re only going to wear once then these are great options.
*price at time of publish
