How to Buy Affordable Bridal Gowns

Before buying a designer dress at an outlandish price, look for affordable bridal gowns that are just as gorgeous and well-made -- you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

My little sister, who was recently engaged, found a wedding dress she loved on a designer website. The price was out of her budget, however, and she was disappointed. But shortly thereafter she came across a very similar gown, with added details she liked even better, on a website featuring affordable bridal gowns.

Here's how to find your perfect dress -- while saving money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Bridal gown details

   First consider what you want most in your dress. Affordable bridal gowns are only a good deal if you truly love what you're going to wear. Browse a variety of bridal catalogs, magazines and websites to find the styles and details you really like.
   
   It's also a good idea to try on your favorite style or types of dresses in a bridal shop to make sure the look is flattering on your figure.

2. Look at websites that offer discount dresses and affordable bridal gowns by making them individually for each bride according to her measurements. They contract the sewing through foreign seamstresses to keep costs down.
   
   My sister's dress, for example, was ordered through 300dresses.com and was made overseas. It fit her perfectly and did not have to be altered.

3. 
   Bridal gowns train

   Ask professional seamstresses in your area if they can make or tailor a dress for you inexpensively. If you have an excellent seamstress with whom to work, it opens up possibilities of buying a too-large dress off the rack or second hand and having it made precisely your size.

4. Scour bridal shops in your area for off-the-rack deals. After the new gowns come out, the discontinued floor samples are often sold at steep discounts. Bring cash and plan to bargain down even further -- don't forget, they've already made money from the dress, and having it on the rack isn't helping them anymore.

5. Regularly visit consignment and upscale second hand shops. Every spring, I notice some lovely, new and very affordable bridal gowns at our local thrift store. Some brides get a bargain on their gowns -- and once steamed and tailored, nobody is the wiser.

Tips & Warnings

• Get measured professionally before ordering your bridal gown online, to ensure the dress size is accurate.
• Look for reviews of the website through which you plan to order. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable business before sending in your money.
• See Resources, below, for more help on planning an amazing wedding while secretly saving thousands of dollars.
• Don't wait until the last minute to order or buy your dress, especially if it is being shipped to you.

Resources

• Amazing Wedding Planning (save thousands!)

[Elizabethknows]

on 8/13/2009 Do not forget ebay and craigslist as well. Awesome tips and well explained. :) 5*

[Rachellewms]

on 7/20/2009 This is great advice! My cousin is getting married, and she is on a tight budget. This article will be a Godsend for her. 5*

[amylaine]

on 7/16/2009 Great tips on cheap wedding gowns. I found a dress that I liked and showed a local seamstress the picture and she was able to make me a similar dress. The cost of the dress in the picture was thousands of dollars and mine cost less then $50. How cool was that. 5 stars.