Open the pages of any bridal magazine and you'll be inundated with images of lavish couture gowns fit for a princess or a supermodel. Chances are, you won't be getting married in any of these fantasy designer dresses-- and would you really want to? Important as your wedding day is, it's still only one day, and the money spent on some of those goddess gowns could pay for a mere mortal's entire wedding reception. Although a part of you would love to traipse around in Vera Wang, you know perfectly well that a down payment on a house will make you even happier-- so save your money!
The thing is, you don't need to spend a fortune on a wedding dress to be a princess for a day. You've probably been to dozens of weddings with brides who look beautiful, right? Most likely, few or none of them were wearing designer bridal attire, and they still looked fabulous. And so will you, in your discount wedding ensemble.
Here are some tips for finding cheap wedding dresses and attire that will still make you feel like a princess.
Used Wedding Gowns
Unlike many types of clothing, wedding dresses don't get much wear- so they're the perfect used item of clothing! Check out local consignment shops, and read the want ads in your local newspaper and on Craigslist. You'll also want to check out the huge selection of gowns on eBay. If you go with eBay, get yourself measured very carefully to make sure the dress fits. Even better, visit a local store and find a few dresses that look fabulous on you-- and then look for the same gowns on eBay in your correct size. Who's going to know it's used-- and who cares?
Bridal Outlet Stores
Find the nearest outlet store in your area. If it's a long drive, make a road trip with your mom and your bridesmaids and have an awesome shopping day. The money you save on gowns, veils, shoes, bridesmaid dresses, and accessories could make this trip well worth the time and gas.
Wear a Bridesmaid Dress
Bridesmaid gowns can be considerably cheaper than wedding gowns, and some of them are gorgeous. Find a style you love in white or cream (or a different color, if you're truly adventurous), and you can have a beautiful wedding dress for less. If the dress isn't quite fancy enough, you can make it more formal by adding an intricate veil, beautiful jewelry, or other accessories.
Homemade Wedding Dresses
Do you love to sew? Or does someone who is close to you? A dress that's made especially for you may not be a technically perfect as the gowns in the store, but it's going to be all the more special. Just remember: some bridal fabrics can be very expensive even if you make your own dress, so consult with an expert at a fabric store to find materials that are beautiful but reasonably priced.
Bridal Rentals
Men have been getting away with renting their own tuxes for years, so why can't women rent their dresses? More and more brides and bridesmaids are choosing this option, so look in local bridal magazines and call bridal shops to find out where this option is available near you . Some women really want to own their dress, but if you don't, why spend all that money for something that's going to live in your closet?
Borrow a Dress
This isn't always easy to do, as women come in many different sizes. But if a family member or friend is close to your size and is willing to share, try on the dress. Wedding dresses generally can be altered up to 2 sizes in either direction, so the fit doesn't have to be perfect as long as you're willing to spend the time and money getting alterations. And if your mom's dress fits, think of how happy she'll be if you wear it.
Buy Cheap Shoes
Have you ever even looked at a bride's shoes? You probably can't even see them under the dress, so why buy expensive ones? Don't bother buying shoes at a bridal shop because you can probably get very similar shoes on sale at a department store or at a discount store like Payless. And if you buy shoes that look more like everyday shoes, you can wear them again. Remember, when purchasing shoes, think comfort, not fashion! You're going to be standing an awful lot on your wedding day.
Borrow a Veil
Borrowing a wedding dress can be tricky because of size differences, but it's easy to borrow a matching wedding veil! This is a great way to save a little money while honoring a family member or friend. If you can't find one to borrow, look on eBay or at a consignment shop. Of course, you can borrow other accessories as well, such as jewelry or a garter.
Brides aren't beautiful because they spend a fortune on couture -- they're beautiful because they're brides. Spend a little time doing some smart shopping, and you can have your princess gown without the princess credit card bill.
For more money saving tips, see Cheap Wedding Venue Ideas.
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