Shopping for & even saving on your Perfect Wedding Gown!

For many brides, the dress represents the culmination of all of one’s emotions regarding a wedding: elation, fear, love and stress. It’s one of the most talked about and most cherished aspects of the planning process, and it can also be one of the biggest headaches. If you’re on a budget or just don’t buy into the standard dress process, here are some alternatives. If you want to look at high-end stores or standard bridal stores scroll down a bit.

Heirlooms

Altering an heirloom dress worn by a sister, aunt, mother, or even grandmother can be an economical and original alternative to buying one brand new. You’d be amazed what a seamstress can do with a little time and creativity: a six becomes an eight, a long train becomes sleeves. If you’re really looking for a budget option, a free dress can’t be beat. And there’s something to be said for a dress – and a marriage – that can stand the test of time.

Discount outlets

Buying a dress off the rack can save you as much as 50 percent off the cost of a gown. There are a number of national and regional discount bridal outlets that the same gowns at significant discounts. They also sometimes have rack dresses by size, past-season dresses, and discontinued items or irregulars. Make sure to check your dress carefully and ask the retailer how the dress made it to their store. These outlets are also a great place to save on other bridal wear and bridesmaid dresses.

End of season sales

If you’ve got some time and have found a few gowns that you like, ask the salesperson whether any of the dresses will ever go on sale. Many retailers will want your business enough that they will tell you, and some will even go so far as to automatically reserve a dress for you when it does go on sale.

Sample models

If you are a size 10, you’re in luck. Most dress manufacturers make their sample dresses in size 10, meaning that there are tons of them floating around. If you don’t mind the thought of having a dress that others have tried on, it’s a great way to get your gown for a steal. Even if you’re an 8 or a 6, look into taking the dress to a tailor; after all, that’s what you’d do with a full-price custom-made dress anyway!

Rentals

Renting is a great option for people who don’t understand why you’d want to hang onto a dress once you’ve worn it. If you’d rather spend money on the venue or the wedding bands, check out local bridal rental shops, and see if you find anything you like. A word to the wise: some rental shops buy directly from the bridal gown manufacturer, while others purchase worn gowns from past brides. If you have feelings either way about this, be sure to do your research and go with someone you trust.

Look for Deb Dresses

Many debutante balls and cotillions require young women to wear white. These dresses are often elaborate, sophisticated, and a heck of a lot cheaper than a wedding dress of the same workmanship. Check with local retailers on whether they have catalogs of cotillion dresses, or check in with someone who has a social 20-year-old!

Check the racks

There are some gorgeous white dresses out there that are produced for other formal events and can be found on the racks in fine clothing stores. I have a friend who, after searching bridal gown shops for months, came across a perfect white satin, floor length dress at Henri Bendel for $399. She purchased it on the spot, and was told that she was the fourth woman with the idea. Imagine how far the money you’ve saved will go towards flowers or the band!

So you’ve found the man of your dreams, now it’s time to find the dress. Dress prices vary from as little as $500 to the price of a family sedan. Common wisdom is that it should correlate directly with your overall budget for the event; the rule of thumb ranges from anywhere between 5 and 10 percent. But before you start shopping, here are some things to consider:

Remain calm

It’s a good idea to approach the dress search deliberately and calmly. Remember, dresses are NOT like men: there’s a very good chance that there will be more than one that you love, and if you’re patient, one of those will certainly be within your budget. If you go in with the thought that there’s only for you, then you may shell out more than you anticipated for a gown that’s very similar to one at the next store for half the cost.

Do your research

If you do find a dress or a maker that you love, go to all of the stores in your area and also hop online. You might be able to find the same exact dress at a discount retailer on the Web; do make sure, however, to check out the retailer before you purchase, and definitely make the purchase with a credit card in case you want to dispute the charge.

Remember the add-ons

Don’t forget to include the cost of alterations, the veil, shoes, a bra, gloves, and everything else that you’ll need. I’ve heard horror stories from friends who forgot to think of these things and chose a gown with very few options for the accoutrements, which all ended up costing a fortune. Be careful, and be sure to ask about these things as you’re trying dresses on, not after you’ve signed the dotted line.

Payment options

If you have your heart set on a dress that is a bit of a financial stretch, ask what they’re payment options are. You may be able to pay for the dress in installments, allowing you to afford a more expensive gown even if you don’t have the cash at present.

Get more bang for the buck

If you are ready to make the purchase and you’ve decided to go with a traditional bridal shop or a high-end department store, consider what method of payment to use. My sister purchased her dress at a department store that only took their own credit card but gave points for purchases; the salesperson was kind enough to let her know that a triple points day was coming up. My sister purchased the gown on that day and earned enough points to pay for her shoes and veil. Remember: even in the highest-end retailers, there’s a deal to be made!