Wedding Dresses and Gowns

There are a few factors that will impact your wedding dress cost. Most notably, an extremely detailed wedding dress with lots of beading and pricey fabric (silk, etc.) will cost more than a simpler wedding dress, as more intricate gowns require more labor and materials. So a grand ball gown with beading and detailed embroidery will cost more than a plainer sheath dress. Also, if you’re set on wearing a wedding dress by a famous dress designer, know that it will likely cost more.

There are several additional costs that brides should factor into their wedding dress cost and budget. These include:

• Alterations: If you want to drastically change your wedding dress, your alterations may end up costing more than your actual wedding dress!
• Undergarments and accessories: Be sure to factor in your accessories— bridal undergarments, shoes, and more. These accessories will greatly affect how your gown looks and fits, so don’t forget to include them in your wedding dress cost.
• Cleaning and preservation: Don’t be surprised if you’re still spending money on your wedding dress after your wedding! Whether you plan on wearing your wedding dress again, passing it on to a future generation, or none of the above, it’s still a good idea to have your gown professionally cleaned and preserved. Wedding dress cleaning and preservation can cost $200 or more.

Yes, a bride’s wedding dress will cost a lot of money—probably more than you’ll spend on another piece of attire in your life! However, there are several ways to save money on your wedding dress while still finding a gown that you absolutely love.

• Don’t try on dresses that are over-budget: Be upfront with your bridal salon consultant about your budgets—and be sure ask about the cost of each dress you try on. Avoid the temptation of trying on a wedding dress that’s out of your price range.
• Find a simple wedding dress, and accessorize: As mentioned, a simple and relatively unadorned wedding gown will cost less than an extremely detailed wedding dress. If you’re on a tight wedding dress budget, we recommend finding a simple gown and using a beaded sash or a brooch to give it some extra sparkle.
• Find a dress you love as is: Any significant alterations or customizations that you do to a wedding dress will cost (a lot of!) money. Therefore, if you want to make significant changes to a wedding dress (add sleeves, change the silhouette, etc.), that gown is probably not for you. Look for a wedding dress that you love mostly as it looks off the hanger.
• Scour sample sales: Many bridal salons offer sample sales where they sell sample dresses from past seasons. These sample dresses are typically in sizes 6 to 12, so if you fall in that size category, you may find a gorgeous gown at a low price at one of these sales.
• Visit trunk shows: If you’re set on purchasing a gown by a specific designer, you might find a deal at a trunk show. Trunk shows are when a bridal salon features the collection of a particular dress designer—and usually offers a discount (usually about 5 or 10 percent off that designer’s wedding dress prices). Research which salons in your area carry your favorite designers, and check their websites for upcoming trunk shows.
• Give yourself time to shop: A wedding dress can take several months to arrive after you’ve ordered it. Be sure to start shopping for your wedding dress as soon as possible —many brides shop at least nine months in advance, if not more. If you wait until the last minute, you may end up paying rush charges for your dress, which can greatly add to your total wedding dress cost.

Wedding dress alterations can be expensive—particularly if you’re planning on making major changes to your wedding dress. Some bridal salons offer wedding dress alterations in-house. If yours does not, you will likely have to find a tailor who specializes in wedding dresses (be sure to read online reviews of wedding dress tailors before hiring). You’ll typically schedule your wedding dress fittings for at least three months before your big day—so plan accordingly. 76 percent of bridal salons charge alterations by piece rather than a flat fee, so the average cost of dress alterations can vary widely depending on the extent of the alterations. Simply adjusting a hemline won’t cost a ton, but adding sleeves or reworking a bodice will!

When choosing a wedding dress tailor, there are several questions you should ask:

• How many fitting appointments will I need? How long will the process take?
• What types of alterations do you recommend for my wedding dress?
• Have you worked with a dress and fabric like mine before?
• Can you provide a cost for my alterations?
• How will you store my wedding dress?
• What do I need to bring to my first fitting appointment?