Aside from the wedding venue, your wedding gown is one of the biggest wedding expenses.
The bridal gown you choose should be elegant and suit you well. You also have to consider comfort and price.
Ideally, you should start searching for your wedding dress at least six months before the wedding day. Your wedding gown might need alterations, so you have to consider that as well. Many women spend a considerable amount of money on a wedding dress.
However, with a little effort and patience, you can actually get a wedding gown for much less.
Here are some tips on how to get a wedding gown within your budget:
Second-Hand Dress Stores Are a Great Source for Wedding Dresses
Typically, a wedding dress is worn only once and some women choose to be practical. You may find your dream wedding gown in a second-hand dress shop. These shops offer beautiful gowns at amazing prices. Some of the dresses they sell are in excellent condition since they were only worn once.
Before visiting the nearest thrift shop here are some things to consider:
Measurement – Most wedding dresses are altered, and a second-hand dress won’t match the size label. The sample sizes are usually smaller than regular sizes.
Appearance – Check if the dress was cleaned after it was used. You must thoroughly inspect the dress for any stains. Should you find obvious stains then choose other gowns or have the gown cleaned first.
Wedding Dress Charity Sale Events
Various charities such as Brides Against Breast Cancer organize trunk shows in different states and sell donated used and new gowns. The proceeds are used in fulfilling the wishes of terminal breast cancer patients. Online sites like Encorebridal sell a mix of new and used bridal dresses and donate to cervical cancer projects for every dress sold.
Don’t Overlook The Mass Retailers For Your Wedding Gown
Many mass retailers are offering wedding dresses to their female consumers. J. Crew started this trend and other retail outlets are now selling bridal wear. These shops are a good source for affordable, elegant wedding gowns and they are very accessible.
They are everywhere, whether you live in California or Morgantown, WV. Furthermore, their prices are usually lower compared to high-end wedding gown shops.
Wedding Dress Sample Sales
Lookout for trunk sales and sample sales on wedding dresses. Bridal stores and department stores host seasonal trunk or sample sales. You can research about these special sale events so you can get excellent deals on cheap wedding dresses.
Online Deals for Wedding Gowns
There are many wonderful deals for affordable wedding gowns online. Start with local Facebook Groups such as West Virginia Weddings, Morgantown Area Wedding Site, and Wedding Resale and Planning, or even Facebook Marketplace.
You might get overwhelmed and confused. Being bombarded with numerous options might make it difficult to decide where to get your wedding dress.
Remember that there are online scams that victimize women so be careful. Do your research before buying a bridal gown. Check if the online bridal store has been reported by previous customers and always trust your instinct. Avoid getting scammed and spend time doing research beforehand.
Planning a wedding can take up a lot of time and energy. The amount of money involved is substantial, so you have to be wise in spending it where it matters most.
Fortunately, it is easy to get an exquisite wedding dress without going broke. You just have to allocate time and be resourceful in looking for bridal wear sources.