21 Proven Wedding Money Saving Tips: Save Money On Your Wedding Dress

 Dress by Bonny Bridals

Your wedding dress is the most important and most photographed article of clothing you will ever purchase.  You want to look fabulous, but you don't want to break the bank.  Here are proven tips to save on THE dress and where to look for the hottest deal. 

• Shop within your budget.  Don't try on dresses that are so outside your budget that it is unworkable. Don't allow any salesperson to talk you into a dress you can't afford, don't be pressured into anything!

• Shop off season.  The months of November and December are the doldrums in bridal dress sales.  The bridal shops slash prices of dresses for a lot of reasons:   They need to cut their inventory for end of the year taxes.  They need money to PAY their taxes.  They need rack space for next seasons dresses AND they  need money to pay for all the inventory coming into the shop.  

• Shop the sale rack. Every salon has one, the bargains are screaming! 

•  Shop sample sales, blow out sales and trunk shows.

• Buy a dress with good bones:  built in crinoline, boning, built in bra as it will save you money on expensive add ons.

• Buy a dress off the rack.  Don't hesitate to ask if the shop will discount the dress if you buy the rack sample or if you are willing to pay cash. 

• Shop Ebay.  Look for the word authentic in a designers dress name.  Ask the seller if the dress is authentic or a knock off.  Inspired means knock off and is probably an import from China and it won't have same fit, look or quality.   There are a lot of bona fide bargains on Ebay from bridal salons selling excess stock below their cost.

•   Shop resale stores.  Many resale shops have brand new wedding dresses that they've purchased from bridal salons or from canceled weddings. 

• Shop closeout stores.  

•   Think outside of the box:  A white, ivory or pastel prom or formal dress are STEALS after prom time, shop in May,June or July.

• Shop for the silhouette and fit that flatters your body.  Simple dresses can be accessorized to have the same impact as a dress with costly lace and beading.

•   Polyester fabric is less costly than silk and most of your guests won't be able to tell the difference.  If you fall in love with a silk dress that is out of your budget, ask if the same dress can be ordered in polyester.

• Wear your mother's wedding dress or another heirloom family dress.

•   Borrow a dress.

• Order a bridesmaid dress in white or ivory. Savings run into the 4 digits.  This season Bill Levkoff bridesmaids have some amazing chiffon dresses that would make a gorgeous informal dress.  Other companies have beading and embellishment on dresses that rock as wedding dresses.

•    Shop online at discount web sites such as House of Brides, not only can you score a discount on an authentic dress, you can get free shipping and no sales tax.

•  David's Bridal had a discount online outlet.
• Shop vintage antique stores for rocking styles for a non traditional bride!

•  Pre Owned Wedding Dresses have designer dresses at less than retail prices.

•   Check the department store sales racks, I've seen Jessica McClintock dresses marked down to a twenty dollar bill.

• Shop factory stores. 

•   Craig's list always has new wedding dresses, as well as pre worn or vintage dresses. You deal directly with the seller which gives you the opportunity to negotiate on price.  

• The number one way to save on your wedding dress: Shop with an open mind!  You never know what might cross your path if you are open to opportunities.