Cheap Wedding Dresses

The Bride on a Budget: Finding Cheap Wedding Dresses

Most brides dream of wearing an expensive designer dress on their wedding day. Their dreams are dashed once they espy the price tag hanging from the dress, however. Just because a bride is confined to a budget doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have all the bells and whistles. Even those who don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a wedding gown deserve to look like a fairy tale princess on their wedding day. If you’re in the market for an inexpensive wedding dress, perhaps one of these tips will help.

Sample Sales and Bargain Basements

Shop sales for great deals.

Once a year, several stores have an annual wedding dress sale. Although many brides-to-be stay away because of the crowded, chaotic atmosphere, many others find the dress of their dreams – at an affordable price! Here’s how it works: the hosting shop will put ads in the newspaper advertising a huge sale or “dress run.” Many women will line up outside the doors of the shop either the night before or in the wee hours in the morning. By the time the doors open in the morning, the crowd surges through. Most shops will only allow a certain amount of women in at a time, while others will pack the house.

Many brides to be will wear a bathing suit under their clothes so they won’t have to deal with dressing rooms. These quick changing women will try on dress after dress right in the show room. It’s always a good idea to bring a couple of friends along to help hunt for dresses and hold them while the bride tries them on. The bride better be in love with her choice though because there are no returns. Dresses can be found at these events for $100 to $500. If chaos doesn’t bother you, you might consider this method for purchasing cheap wedding dresses.

If you already know what style and brand of dress you want, these sales may be ideal for you. Your dress may be sitting on the rack just waiting for you to snatch it up. If possible, peruse the store a day or two before the sale to see what dresses they have available. A word of caution - many stores carry sample dresses in just one or two sizes. If you aren't the so-called average size 8 or size 10 that many wedding shops have in stock, you may be out of luck.

Second hand Shops

If money is indeed an object and you’re open to suggestions, you might try a second hand shop. Thrift stores and consignment shops are excellent venues for purchasing cheap wedding dresses. There are several things to be considered:

• Different neighborhoods boast a different quality of clothes. If you’re shopping in a depressed neighborhood, chances are you won’t find designer duds. If you’re shopping at a consignment shop in an upscale neighborhood, there’s a good chance the clothing will match. Keep in mind prices will also reflect the neighborhood, but there are still bargains to be had.
• Most Consignment shops won’t accept any item of clothing unless it’s in perfect, or near perfect, condition. Thrift shops, on the other hand, accept all sorts of items in various states of repair. If you’re purchasing a wedding dress in a secondhand store, examine it thoroughly and make note of any rips, stains, pulls, tears or other damage. Be absolutely certain you can repair the damage once you’ve purchased the gown. Most secondhand shops have a no refund policy and you don’t want to be stuck with a gown you won’t be able to use.
• If the shop does have a return policy, get it in writing. Some shop owners miraculously change their minds as soon as somebody tries to make a return.

In most cases, a secondhand wedding dress only needs minor repairs which can be handled by a dry cleaner or tailor.

EBay and Other Online Auction Sites

Is there anything that can’t be found on eBay? You might be pleasantly surprised to find that eBay has quite the assortment of wedding dresses. Some new, some old, some used and some damaged, there is something for everyone in all price ranges. On a good day, one might even find a dress for $35.00!

Of course one must proceed with caution when purchasing anything from an online auction site. Items sometimes show up in one’s home not looking a thing like they did in the picture. Stains are darker, minor rips are actually large tears or the size is all wrong. Plus, if you purchase a cheap wedding dress from one of these sites, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to return it if it’s not what you had in mind. Make sure you receive a full disclosure of any and all damage to the wedding dress. In fact, it would be a good idea to get it in writing. bk Don’t be afraid to ask for additional pictures either. There’s nothing more disappointing than learning your wedding dress has components you hate.

Other Options

There’s no shame in asking friends and family if you can borrow one of their wedding gowns. Many former brides are touched to pass on this treasured family heirloom. A mother, grandmother, sister or aunt is sure to be happy to loan you her wedding dress. A free wedding dress can be just as special as a customized dress.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive wedding dress, you have several options. The most important factor in selecting one of these dresses is to keep an open mind. Don’t settle, but don’t be afraid to look in places other than the wedding salon. Who has to know?