A very lovely girl I happen to know has met her prince charming and for them holding off for a ginormous wedding just isn't an option. She contacted me wondering if I had any insight on ways to get a dress that's classy, gorgeous yet thrifty on the cheap and I offered her this information that I thought I'd pass on!
Even if you are throwing a ginormous wedding, I personally don't believe you need to spend the equivalent of the down-payment on a house (FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY!!) on one day, even if it is the prettiest, fanciest, most important day of your life. And your attire on that day is equally important, yet the wedding industry has it drilled into the head of every bride that you need to spend a bazillion dollars on something you could get for much cheaper and still be beautiful!! So check out some of my tricks and tips and links and I hope you find the right dress for you! :)
Idea #1: Alchemy
Etsy is a downright treasure trove of creative stuff, wedding gear included. It is obviously not just limited to the dress -- there are veils, thank you cards, place settings, decorations, cake cutters, and everything in between on that site and you'd be silly not to look. Not to mention to support local artists as well as handmade goods is FAR better than to give into the cheesy and ridiculously standard gear of the wedding industry norm. Etsy also supports an "Alchemy" function that allows you to post what you're looking for and how much you're willing to pay. People make bids on your item and you pay them and they whip it up as a custom order!
Here are some amazing gowns made by Etsy sellers...
Idea #2: Prom Night
White or Ivory prom dresses are NOT difficult to find and are many times just as elegant and blingy as any wedding dress you would find in the shop! Because of these fantastic options, you are able to get an already made dress that you could easily take in to any dressmaker/tailor and have fitted to your exact size and save the difference in a custom made gown. Because the wedding business as a whole has jacked up their prices (mostly because BRIDE'S PAY ANYWAY) they are able to absolutely get away with murder when it comes to pricing -- brides are primarily one time customers, and they know that. They don't need to build a rapport to keep them coming back...so get your money's worth, shop prom! Also, many prom styles go on sale during the summer after prom has happened because they have the previous years' styles and are looking to push inventory!
Idea #3: Something Borrowed
After all the hub-bub and craziness of a wedding, you realize you have just spent more money than you intended, you have a dress you love but you'll never wear again, and you think hmm...what if someone else loved this dress as much as I did? Chances are likely, someone will, could, and does. Many brides after their day - if they don't have the intention on passing it down or have a very trendy dress or just plain need the money - go on sites that sell wedding dresses once worn. They come in all styles, sizes, shades, and lengths and not only do they sell dresses but they sell accessories as well. Just because it was a part of someone else's big day doesn't mean it can't be a part of yours as well!
Idea #4: Ready to Wear
Many popular stores that you can find in the mall actually have options for wedding wear as well! JCrew being one of my favorites has a great wedding line for not only brides but bridesmaids and the menfolk as well! There are many other options in going to wedding stores and buying off of their sample rack as well. As long as it fits close enough without needing much by way of alterations, it's a good buy! It can always be cleaned and tacked if need be -- they can be a great deal.
Even if you are throwing a ginormous wedding, I personally don't believe you need to spend the equivalent of the down-payment on a house (FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY!!) on one day, even if it is the prettiest, fanciest, most important day of your life. And your attire on that day is equally important, yet the wedding industry has it drilled into the head of every bride that you need to spend a bazillion dollars on something you could get for much cheaper and still be beautiful!! So check out some of my tricks and tips and links and I hope you find the right dress for you! :)
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Idea #1: Alchemy
Etsy is a downright treasure trove of creative stuff, wedding gear included. It is obviously not just limited to the dress -- there are veils, thank you cards, place settings, decorations, cake cutters, and everything in between on that site and you'd be silly not to look. Not to mention to support local artists as well as handmade goods is FAR better than to give into the cheesy and ridiculously standard gear of the wedding industry norm. Etsy also supports an "Alchemy" function that allows you to post what you're looking for and how much you're willing to pay. People make bids on your item and you pay them and they whip it up as a custom order!
Here are some amazing gowns made by Etsy sellers...
 |
| By seller yourfairytalewedding |
Idea #2: Prom Night
White or Ivory prom dresses are NOT difficult to find and are many times just as elegant and blingy as any wedding dress you would find in the shop! Because of these fantastic options, you are able to get an already made dress that you could easily take in to any dressmaker/tailor and have fitted to your exact size and save the difference in a custom made gown. Because the wedding business as a whole has jacked up their prices (mostly because BRIDE'S PAY ANYWAY) they are able to absolutely get away with murder when it comes to pricing -- brides are primarily one time customers, and they know that. They don't need to build a rapport to keep them coming back...so get your money's worth, shop prom! Also, many prom styles go on sale during the summer after prom has happened because they have the previous years' styles and are looking to push inventory!
 |
| Simply Dresses.com |
After all the hub-bub and craziness of a wedding, you realize you have just spent more money than you intended, you have a dress you love but you'll never wear again, and you think hmm...what if someone else loved this dress as much as I did? Chances are likely, someone will, could, and does. Many brides after their day - if they don't have the intention on passing it down or have a very trendy dress or just plain need the money - go on sites that sell wedding dresses once worn. They come in all styles, sizes, shades, and lengths and not only do they sell dresses but they sell accessories as well. Just because it was a part of someone else's big day doesn't mean it can't be a part of yours as well!
 |
| Find it here! |
Idea #4: Ready to Wear
Many popular stores that you can find in the mall actually have options for wedding wear as well! JCrew being one of my favorites has a great wedding line for not only brides but bridesmaids and the menfolk as well! There are many other options in going to wedding stores and buying off of their sample rack as well. As long as it fits close enough without needing much by way of alterations, it's a good buy! It can always be cleaned and tacked if need be -- they can be a great deal.
 |
| JCrew weddings |
