Creating a budget for your wedding dress

 

Wedding planning is not an easy task. There are so many things to consider that might turn the experience into an overwhelming nightmare if the proper steps aren’t taken at the very beginning. Before getting derailed with themes, decorations, suggestions from friends and relatives, we personally recommend you have a conversation with your fiancé about how much you’re willing to spend. This will require hours of research, and it’s not to be taken lightly. One of the most important elements of your wedding budget is, you guessed it, your beautiful wedding dress! A lot of factors contribute to how much money will be spent on this unique piece of wardrobe. The following is a list of aspects you should consider when making a budget for your wedding dress.

The average price of a wedding dress

Wedding dresses at bridal stores usually range from $1,500 to $1,800 before alterations. This is just an average, meaning you can purchase your gown at a sample sale or consignment store for less than $1,000, while a designer wedding dress costs upwards to $15,000 and more. Purchasing a wedding dress is not something you do every day, which is why it is considered a luxury item. Not only is it an emotionally significant piece of wardrobe, but there’s a lot that goes into the price tag. The fabrics and materials used in the manufacturing of wedding dresses are of high quality, usually the higher the quality, the higher the price. The intricate detailing of your gown is another factor. If there’s any beading work, embroidery or any other kind of embellishments involved, it’s done with the utmost care, and again the price will be higher whether the craftsmanship is done by hand or with the use of a machine. The wedding dress designer also plays an important role in determining the price. Some household names in the wedding dress industry are worth a premium.

Add-ons

While finding a dress that fits you perfectly as soon as you try it on is not impossible, odds are you will need to take in an inch or two off the hem, perhaps add long sleeves, or cinch the waist a little bit. Women are blessed with having different body types and silhouettes, and your trusted bridal consultant knows exactly the kind of alterations your wedding dress requires to fit you like a glove and make you look spectacular on the best day of your life. Your wedding dress budget should have room for between $400-$900 on alterations.

A portion of the budget for your wedding dress should also include accessories, such as the veil, shoes, and jewelry you plan on wearing for the day. Of course, if any of these items is your something old or something borrowed, feel free to scratch them off the list. The undergarments you’ll be wearing to make you look spectacular on your wedding day should also be added to your budget unless they were already a part of your wardrobe.

After “I do”

The cleaning and preservation of your wedding gown once it’s all said and done will be another expense added to the equation, but it’s completely worth it if you want to keep your perfect wedding dress in the same pristine condition as when you were walking down the aisle. Consider spending between $250-$750 for this premium service.

Wiggle Room

When you go to your appointment at the bridal store, you’ll look at every wedding dress you see with heart eyes. Whatever you do, don’t let them get to you. You already have a budget in mind and based on your preferences your bridal consultant will be able to make some amazing recommendations tailored to your needs. Don’t step into the dark side and try on that $10,000 wedding dress if you know you can’t afford it. In order to avoid more distress to what should be an enjoyable experience, honestly the best part of the wedding planning process, we might suggest adding a little wiggle room in your budget just in case the dress you fall madly in love with costs a little more than you had anticipated. There are so many other expenses involved in your wedding that might not come to be if you splurge on your beautiful wedding dress at the early stages of planning. Being a savvy shopper is all about keeping your eye on the prize. Do your research, try on those fabulous silhouettes that accentuate your body, and let your heart and mind choose the perfect dress for you. Don’t forget, your bridal consultant Is the best tool at your disposal. She’ll be able to suggest styles within your price range that you might’ve never even considered or didn’t think you’d be able to afford. Trust the expert.

Last, but not least, when you finally go wedding dress shopping, forget about the finances, the venue, your guest list, the catering… the only thing that matters at that moment is finding the one. The wedding dress will make you look absolutely stunning as you walk down the aisle and begin the rest of your life with that special someone.

If you haven’t found your perfect wedding dress yet, take a look at our Ultimate Guide for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress. It has everything you need to know to make the best decision. Happy planning!