Budget for Wedding Dresses

There are so many options out there that you can first set your comfort zone price and go from there. Azazie has some really nice dresses for under $300.00. If you hit the sales rack at David's Bridal you can find dresses in the $500 range. If you know a good seamstress, I would use them rather than the salon alterations as they usually cheaper. Private salons - in general - are going to be the most expensive in my experience. Hemming a gown is the most expensive alteration - that's a LOT of material to trim and turn. Strap adjustments are $35.00, adding cups $50, taking in sides $50-100 depending on beading issues.

This is going to completely depend on your preferences and financial situation. Wedding dresses can be $500, or $50,000! Keep in mind, the better fabric and more detail, the higher the price is going to go. I would set your budget first, then don’t look at anything above that when wedding dress shopping.

Your bridal salon stylist will ask your budget. You can say, "X number including alteration costs". If dress is over $3k, I suggest padding $800 average in alterations. Anyway, you have lots of time to look around and save money, dresses take ~8 months to order.