Alternatives to Expensive Wedding Dresses

A wedding dress is often the most expensive dress a woman will ever purchase. If expensive wedding dresses are out of your budgets reach, there are many alternative ideas for looking like a million dollars without breaking the bank.

While a designer wedding gown can take a huge chunk out of your wedding budget, using a little imagination, can yield wedding dress alternatives that will have all the beauty of a new dress at a fraction of the cost. Thinking outside the box will also allow you to have a truly unique, often one of a kind bridal gown.

An idea that may have never crossed your mind is to consider purchasing a bridesmaid dress. If you take a look through bridal magazines you will see that many of the dresses that are labeled bridesmaid dresses are just as nice as the dresses for brides. You can often purchase a somewhat plain bridesmaid dress in a style that is flattering to you and have a seamstress add sequin or pearl trim or lace to make it a little fancier and more bride like. The difference is usually many hundreds of dollars in price.

Another alternative idea is to wear the dress that your mom, grandmother, aunt or other family got married in. Even with the cost of alterations often a used dress will be cheaper than a new one.You will not only save a ton of money, but it will also be sentimental. If you are into vintage and retro fashion, this is an especially great option.

While many brides preserve and keep their wedding dresses, many others choose to sell them. Used wedding dresses often sell for a fraction of what they originally cost. This makes consignment shops a great place to shop for a dress for your wedding. Also take a look at any special occasion or prom dresses the consignment shop may have. Many dresses that are not strictly wedding gowns are elegant enough that they make beautiful wedding dresses. You might also check the classified ads in your local paper as well as online at your local craigslist for great deals on used wedding dresses.

Antique, vintage and thrift shops are also good places to take a look. Although true antique wedding dresses may be pricey, they are often less than a new one.

I have mentioned it before, but it is worth repeating. The special occasion section of your local department stores will often be a gold mine of affordable dresses. Many of the dresses will be perfect for your wedding day, especially if you are not having an ultra formal wedding or want a dress in a non-traditional color.

Before you spend thousands of dollars on an expensive wedding dress, take these ideas and shop around. You can be a beautiful bride on your wedding day without spending a fortune on your wedding dress.