The bridal gown does not need to cost as much as a small car, especially for an outfit you’ll probably only wear once! Ditto for the groom’s ensemble. So how can you two be a vision without spending your entire bank account? There are lots of tricks of the trade that can clue you in to some frugal fashioning.
Have an idea of what you are looking for in your dress, so you have narrowed down some possibilities before heading to the stores. Doing some homework in advance may make things easier and less time-consuming, as well as keep you on track and within budget.
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Many Web sites have huge databases with thousands of gowns cross-referenced by style, price, and designer (see pertaining section on this page for a listing).
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Consult wedding magazines, photographers’ wedding albums, and bridal salons for low-cost ideas.
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Bring photos, clippings, and any other ideas to see if the salon, retailer, or dressmaker can inexpensively replicate your visions.
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Price shop and compare.
Go to a small town near you and have the dress made. My skirt only cost $40 because it was simple and straight, and you didn’t need to be Vera Wang to make it!
—Sarah S., Algona, IA
Be up-front about your budget, and don’t have the salesperson bring you dresses that are beyond your price range. Out of sight, out of mind!
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If you purchase your gown from a retailer, order it at least six months prior to your wedding date to allow for errors in size, style, or shipping. Your don’t want to get stuck paying extra rush fees.
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Alterations can be time-consuming and during peak wedding seasons difficult to schedule. Be sure you understand the policies and alteration schedule of your gown maker or distributor before committing to buying your dress there. Find out if there are fees for alterations.
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Read all of the fine print in your dress contract—especially regarding your deposit, arrival dates, alteration policies, and damages the dress may have. Get everything in writing.
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Inquire about return policies or deposit refunds in case your wedding is delayed or altogether canceled. You never know, and it is best to be prepared.
Super Duper Deal
Try on bridesmaid dresses and if you find one that you like, see if it comes in white. Order it for your wedding dress for a fraction of the cost of a “real” wedding gown.
Be careful about what size gown the bridal store orders for you. Unless alteration fees are included, order a dress that most closely resembles your current size.
Avoid shopping in wedding salons on the weekends as the salespeople will be busy and you may get frustrated in a hectic salon.
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Be flexible with your preferences. You may be pleasantly surprised to end up with a dress that was not what you had originally envisioned.
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Keep a copy of your measurements—those taken at the wedding store—to ensure that the staff is ordering the appropriate size.
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Don’t get measured after a large meal or when you are bloated.
Buy a gown off the rack at a department store in the eveningwear or sale sections after the holiday season or in the prom section after prom season.
As far as frugal weddings go, I’m sure I come close to winning the prize for least expensive gown: $99 at Jessica McClintock in San Francisco. Can you top that?
—Debbie D., Newport Beach, CA
Yes, but just barely …
My wedding dress cost only $65, which was quite cheap even by 1983 standards! I purchased it off the rack. It was considered a “summer informal.” It was very pretty and traditional in design. And, although it did not have a long flowing train, it did have a bustle. My mother was actually quite worried when she heard what I had paid, but it worked out just fine. Having just celebrated eighteen years of marriage, I guess everything else did as well.
—Beth S., Irvine, CA
Shop at used clothing stores, sample sales, and trunk shows for bridal gowns. The Bridal Garden for instance is a shop in New York where designers donate runway dresses at great prices.
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Go for a simple dress without a lot of beading, lace-work, and layered fabrics. The more intricate the dress, usually the more expensive it is.
Super Duper Deal
Check local newspapers or wedding Web site message boards for wedding dresses for sale. You may find one in your size that has never been worn or worn just once for a fraction of the cost you were considering.
Consignment stores, discount warehouses, outlet stores, and renting are all less expensive options to buying a full-priced dress.
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Buy a simple, flattering white dress from a department store or boutique. Use this as the basis for a gown that you or a seamstress can detail with lace, beading, and other finery. You’ll spend a fraction of the cost and will have a totally unique dress!
Brides also redesign and alter their mother’s, sister’s, or close friend’s gowns. Remember that a dress can be worn more than once.
My mother and I have the same body shape. I wore her beautiful dress almost twenty-five years after she did. It needed very little altering and had sentimental meaning to me since it was hers.
—Linda R., Houston, TX
Frugal Freebie
Borrow, borrow, borrow—veils, dresses, shoes, wedding-day jewelry, and other accessories. Friends and relatives are usually more than willing to see their items used and appreciated again by another bride.
Design your own gown with special touches that accentuate your body type. Surprisingly, custom gowns can sometimes be more cost-effective than those bought off the rack.
Frugal Freebie
If you have a friend who can sew or, better yet, if you know a seamstress or tailor personally, ask if he or she will make you a dress as your wedding gift. Offer to purchase the fabric and pattern, and thank them for their time to fit and make your dress.
If you are gutsy, hire a student at a local fashion institute to take on designing your wedding dress as a project to add to his or her portfolio.
Many brides are tired of the idea of wearing their dress only once, so they buy a dress that can later be shortened, altered, or even dyed a different color to get more use out of it.
Don’t change into a going-away outfit or even purchase a special one. Rather, exit as you entered: as the glowing bride.
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Check at dry cleaners to see if any brides have not picked up their dresses. Many times the costs are too much for cleaning or preserving, and some brides end up leaving their dresses. If you pay the cleaning bill, they may be willing to give you an almost-new unclaimed gown.
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Purchase the dress that is the sample size if it fits you or just needs minor alterations. You’ll probably have to pay to have the dress cleaned because many have tried it on, but you may wind up saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Frugal Freebie
Borrow other wedding items—for example, a garter from a friend who has been married and yarmulkes from your local temple.
Purchase last year’s model just as you would a car. Gowns that have been discontinued or need to be moved out of stock to make room for the new designs cost less. Ask retailers when they have these sales or bring in their new gowns.
Any white pump that is not labeled a “wedding” shoe will cost significantly less than a salon bridal shoe.
Scrimp & Save
Buy a white- or cream-colored shoe that you’ll wear again. One bride wore wedding boots with buttons up the sides, which she later dyed black to wear in the winter months.
For extra comfort and practicality, some brides today wear pearl, sequin, and lace-decorated white sneakers to the wedding. If you choose to do so, you may want to still have a pair of dressier shoes for your photos, first dance, and other times when your feet may be more visible.
Decorate your own tennis shoes with sequins, lace, and beading.
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All-white tennis shoes from a shoe outlet or simple ballet or bedroom slippers double as comfortable, inexpensive bridal footwear.
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Another gutsy bride wore clogs and later went barefoot to stay comfortable on the dance floor. The groom, in turn, wore black suede tennis shoes with his tuxedo.
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Buy inexpensive, comfortable pantyhose. Avoid beaded, lace, or fancy garter-clipped ones. Have an extra pair on standby in case of runs.
Do your own, or have a friend do your hair and makeup.
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Go to a department store makeup counter and have a few of the consultants make you up on various days. If you find someone you like, offer him or her a job moonlighting for your wedding.
Frugal Freebie
If possible, go to the department store the morning of your wedding or before photos to have your makeup done at the counter for free. Many beauticians would be thrilled to make up a bride. (Try a few out in advance of your wedding date so you can know whose products, colors, etc., you like.)
Skip the veil and opt for a borrowed pearl barrette, comb, or fresh flower buds from your florist.
Try on a variety of veils at your dress fittings. Then go to a fabric store that carries wedding tulle. The staff there can advise you on how much to purchase, and they have accessories like combs, hair bands, and tiaras in addition to decorations. Instead of paying more than $100 to $200 for your veil, you can easily have one made or make your own for $10 to $30. And, while you’re at it, have a white Bible cover (if you plan to carry a Bible) made with matching decorations and make and a ring bearer’s pillow.
—Charlene W., Lakeland, FL
For ease and comfort, wear your own black dress shoes instead of renting.
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Buying a tuxedo may wind up being more cost-effective if you plan to attend additional black-tie events in the future.
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Wear a dark suit with a tie (or bow tie) instead of a tuxedo.
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Borrow a tux from a friend who is your size but not in the wedding party.
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Borrow studs and cufflinks from a father, cousin, or other friend or relative.
Q. My friend has offered to loan me a gown. It fits perfectly and is exactly what I want, but she’s no longer married. Is it true that it’s bad luck to borrow her gown?
A. Definitely not! Your wedding is your own unique, special day. Unless you are truly superstitious, borrow the gown and put the money you save toward another element of your wedding that is really important to you.
