Paying for a wedding dress and photographer

These are all very helpful! Thank y'all so much!

I ended up purchasing a sample dress. The owner was no longer working with a specific line, so she had a brand new dress that had rarely been tried on (she was actually using it as apart of the window display) and she offered it to me for a huge discount. The salon we purchased it from said for samples they usually require payment in full, but since I didnt really think I would be purchasing a gown that day (I wasn't specifically looking for a sample gown) she allowed me to pay half at that time, and then we could pay the rest at a later date.

Talk to the salons you visit about the policy. All the ones I visited required a deposit (the percent of which varied) and then you could either make payments or you could pay in full when it arrived

For photographer - we worked with her to create a custom package, she then required a 30% deposit, and we set up a monthly payment schedule with her, but we have been paying biweekly because shes actually one of the lower amounts we have, and are working to pay that off first.

Thanks Munchkin9218! I'll keep in this mind when calling around tomorrow.

Yeah, he is. He's done several weddings already.

I know davids bridal is a touchy subject by that's where I got my dress. I paid in full because it wasn't super expensive but I know when I went they offered up to a 12 month payment plan. I paid my photographer 25% up front and the rest will be paid closer to the wedding. Good luck on your planning!

@Chelsey W, Thank you. I'm glad you brought that up. I have heard different reviews as well, but I'm thinking giving them a shot to see. I've been told that as long as you have time and patience, they're good. But I saw online that they offered a store credit card or where you can put it on layaway and then, pay the rest in 60 days. So they offer other options too?

I ended up paying for my dress in full in cash when I ordered it because the bridal shop was offering 10% off and no sales tax if I did that. Had I not done that, they required I pay 50% up front and the rest when the dress came in.

I paid my photographer a 35% deposit when I booked her, then will pay her the rest a couple weeks before the wedding.

Every bridal shop and photographer are different. I'd call or email around and see what shops or photographers you're interested in are requiring.

I'm doing a lot of DIY because were young and have no savings rn. my photographer is a senior student only charging about 500 and mines in another state. found my dress online for 250. decent photography, free engagement and boudoir from a friend, beautiful dress that will most likely need altering and DIY taco bar. large backyard wedding in CA in a rented vaycay home. Definitely agree on the wedding book!

That's wonderful, Amanda! Caitlin F., Alrite thanks. I contacted a few to get quotes a little bit ago so, we will see. It looks like everybody has about the same percentages. Thank you to everyone for your help and advice!

Depends on where you go.