How much is too much to spend on a wedding dress?

"Too much" is definitely different to each person. I personally didn't want to spend over $1,500 if possible, and FH said if I found the one I loved for under $2,000 then we could still make it work. Mine ended up being around $1,300 before alterations. There are brides on here that want to spend around $100 on a dress and they find one. It all just depends on what you want and what you're possibly willing to "sacrifice" in order to save some money. Finding dresses under $2,000 is definitely not impossible, but if you have your heart set on a certain designer or on something with a lot of detail then there's a better chance that what you're going to find is going to be more expensive.

Finding a dress for under $2000 is absolutely doable. My budget was $1000, and I had plenty of options when I went to bridal shops, including designers. Check out labels like Maggie Sottero, who have beautiful dresses that should be within your price point.

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I keep gravitating toward Martina Liana and All Who Wander gowns, but I have looked at few from Maggie Sottero! I just love dresses with leafy appliques and want it to be a flowy A-line. The ones I love don't have a crazy amount of detail, but are still upwards of $3000! I'm sure they are out there, I just haven't found any in my price range yet. Thanks for the advice!

Don't forget about tax! My budget was $2000 as well, but I ended up spending $2200 after tax.

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Thanks for your feedback! Do you have any suggestions on designers to look at? The ones I keep gravitating towards are Martina Liana and All Who Wander. I want something simple but unique and I adore the leafy appliques. But each of theirs that I love are upwards of $3000!

“Too much” is a personal decision. Some brides spend $1-5K+ without batting an eye and others think $300 is too much. There are countless dresses under $2000. David’s frequently has $99 sales and Azazie is inexpensive. Another option is getting a white bridesmaid or prom dress, though even those are sometimes more expensive than a regular wedding dress. Make sure you can easily move in the dress.



In the past couple years there has been a trend started to make costume changes at the reception so the super expensive wedding dress is only worn for less than an hour and never worn again. The entire wedding in most venues is 4-6 hours max because they have industry standard time blocks. Many brides cannot justify that expense of a second dress although they are pressured into it anyway “because everyone else is doing it”.

I worked in bridal for three years, and almost our entire stock was under $2000. Brands I’d recommend checking out- Allure Bridals, Allure Romance, Madison James, Wildery (all allure brands), Maggie Sottero and Rebecca Ingram, and some Sottero and Midgleys also fall under $2000. Watters, Wtoo, and Willowby are also excellent, have a lot of the details it sounds like you’re looking for, and have very transparent online pricing (rare in the industry). Mon Cheri bridal lines Sophia Tolli and Martin Thornburg are also similar to Martina Liana gowns. I love hunting for dresses and honestly miss styling brides, I’d love to know more about what you’re looking for- I might have some more specific ideas!

My dress is Maggie Sottero. They they have a few different lines from that parent company that each have slightly different styles. Unfortunately I don't really know what other designers the bridal shop I went to pulled for me. You can definitely make an appointment somewhere and just make sure the consultants know your budget. They'll be able to pull the ones they offer that are within your price range.

The Bahati by Willowby- simple, leafy, stunning unique back- retails for ~$1,500 https://www.watters.com/products/bahati/

The Maelie by Willowby- soft and romantic, simple with leaf/vine details, retails for ~$1,600 https://www.watters.com/products/maelie/

The Paloma by Wtoo- traditional, comes in a lined bodice version, very pretty sleeves, floral and leaf details; retails for ~$1,400 https://www.watters.com/products/paloma-with-sleeves/?colors=ivory-blush&b=p:9:55:541

Jenessa by Rebecca Ingram- romantic, leaf details. Retails at ~$1,200 https://www.maggiesottero.com/rebecca-ingram/jenessa/17755

Bellarose by Rebecca Ingram- simple and clean with beautiful leaf beaded back, retails ~$1,200

https://www.maggiesottero.com/rebecca-ingram/bellarose/17973

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Of course! I am torn between a flowy a-line and a slightly fitted gown. I haven't tried anything on yet, so I don't know what shape I'm going for. I really love simple gowns with romantic touches, so the ones with leafy appliques are what I gravitate towards. I really love all who wander's "muse" gown, and pretty much anything else like it, but that dress is unfortunately out of my budget. I don't love lace in general but have certain lace gowns that I'd say are okay. I've looked at Maggie Sottero and Watters and they both have some I've liked. I just don't want a huge dress. I'm midsize and want to feel comfortable and confident in my dress! Hope that helps lol

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That's ok! Thank so much!

My dress was under $1,000 including alternations! I was fortunate enough to find one that fit me almost perfectly though. I found mine at a bridal shop on the "discontinued" rack and it's so much prettier than the more expensive ones I looked at. Too much is different for everyone, you'll find one!

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Ok actually really loving those! Especially the Jenessa and the Paloma

Check out Justin Alexander!

Especially since you haven't tried dresses on yet, my recommendation would make an appointment at a local boutique. The vision and budget that you have in mind are very reasonable, but it's very difficult to picture what a dress will look like and feel like to you without trying it on. When it comes to the Muse, the reason it's so expensive is because the majority of the dress, the skirt, is silk, which is pretty much the most expensive fabric used in bridal. That said, I know there are similar dresses, with chiffon skirts that look very similar that are closer to $1000 than they are to $2000. I'd just check where ever you make an appointment about what their general price range is- I'd aim for somewhere that has $2000 on the mid/higher end of their dresses, because they'll be likely to have a lot of options in the range you're looking to spend, as opposed to a store where dresses start at $2000.

Dresses online or in print look amazing and styled, but I think your options will really open up when you try on dresses and you see what you like in person, and on you. When calling for appointments with a bridal salon, give them your price range and ask if they have a good selection in that range. When you arrive, they should only show you gowns in that range, because doing more or less sets everyone up to fail. Don't worry about being distracted by something unobtainable. Btw, I chose my dress for 3D flowers though it was an unexpected find. You could also have appliques on your veil, cape, or topper.

With your budget, I would also factor in taxes and tailoring. Most shops will expect a deposit upon ordering, maybe half. Rest upon it's arrival and before alterations are done. Best wishes!

Definitely doable. My budget was $1500. I was trying not to pay attention to the prices when trying them on b/c I didn't want that to sway me one way or the other. I was shocked when the one I fell in love with was $600. Allowed me to splurge on shoes.

This will depend entirely on your budget and what you feel you are able and willing to spend on your dress. There is no arbitrary magic number you need to stay under. I’d suggest going to a bridal boutique that has a large selection of dresses within your initial budget, and see if there’s anything you like. If you’re finding that you don’t like anything, or the quality/details you’re wanting aren’t available in that price range, then you can decide if it’s worth it to you to up your dress budget.

As others have said, definitely be mindful of alteration cost! My dress cost $1600 and then I got a $200 trunk show discount. The alterations (hem, bustle, and MINOR strap alteration) cost $650.

That's really based on what you can afford and what's too much as in price to you. I was looking for dresses that were under 1,000. I found a dress and veil for 1,500 after tax. I also tried to look within budget and tried on dresses that were still in my double price range. Don't temp yourself by trying on dresses over your price range.