How to Find an Inexpensive Wedding Dress

Wedding venue: expensive. Flowers: expensive. Wedding favors: hard to choose and expensive. You get the idea. So, just because you invest thousands of dollars in many parts of your wedding, that doesn't mean that you have to fall into the same pattern for your wedding dress. You can find an inexpensive wedding dress that you and your guests will love just as much as an expensive wedding dress.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. The first step to finding a perfect wedding dress is trying on lots of dresses. So, start by trying on lots of dresses at a local bridal boutique. Find a style, cut and color of wedding dress that you love. Then, walk away. It may be hard to walk away from dresses that you love, but you'll find somewhere else that you love just as much and spend a lot less on.

2. Start the bargain hunting. First, search your local David's Bridal store or other store that features major sales. You can get a $500+ dress for $99 during the annual $99 sale. Or, look online at Davidsbridal.com for dresses for even less than $99.
   
   Shop at local bridal boutiques...but only their sale racks. Remember: a sale dress does not mean a bad dress. Who cares if your wedding dress is last season? If it looks great on you, it's a great dress.
   
   Scour the internet for deals. Try Craigslist for dresses in your area. If you're lucky, the seller will let you see the wedding dress that's for sale in person before you commit to buying it.
   
   Do not fear eBay. Lots of brides are eager to recoup some of their wedding investment by selling their once worn wedding dresses. You can get a dress that was worn once for 5 hours for next to nothing. If you get really lucky, you'll be the only bidder on the dress, and you'll get it for a fraction of what the original bride paid.
   
   Shop at local consignment stores. You'll find dresses, which you can try on before buying, for next to nothing. The benefit of this is that you can get your dress inexpensively without having to worry about the fit.
   
   Rent your dress. Visit a local bridal dress rental store, and get your dream dress for a minimal renting fee. This is great for a bride with expensive taste who doesn't have an unlimited budget.
   
   Borrow a dress. Did your best friend get married last year? Ask her if you can wear her dress. Not everyone will say yes, but if you're the same size, why not try?
   
   Buy a white dress that isn't a wedding dress. Especially for beach and casual weddings, a non-wedding dress can be perfect. If you find a perfect white dress, who says you can't make it a wedding dress?

3. Bargain. Whether you're at a local bridal boutique or buying your dress through Craigslist, you have the ability to bargain for a better price. So, try it! Even if your bargaining efforts get rejected, at least you tried. Even if you can't get money off of the price, you can try to bargain and have accessories thrown in, or get a discount on your shoes or accessories.

4. Get alterations done on your wedding dress. If you get the wedding dress inexpensively, you won't need to worry about spending a few more dollars to have it altered. Even with alterations, you'll still be getting an amazing deal.

[joni04]

on 6/22/2009 Will be sending this gem to my sil that is getting married next year!

[edieness]

on 6/14/2009 Great tips on How to Find an Inexpensive Wedding Dress.