Wedding Dress
Thing No. 1
What should you expect to pay?
On the low end, a wedding dress can cost $200 or less for an off-the-rack white or cream evening dress in a synthetic fabric from a department store, or for a simple or on-sale wedding dress from chain bridal retailer.
In the mid-range, expect to pay $500 to $1,000 for an off-the rack or custom-made wedding dress, with a small to medium amount of beading or lace detail, from a chain bridal retailer or bridal boutique.
And on the high end, expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 and up for a custom-made designer dress in silk, sometimes with elaborate embellishments of hand-stitched lace or beading, from an upscale wedding boutique.
The average cost for a wedding dress is $1,505, according to The Bridal Association of America.
Thing No. 2
Don't forget the extras
Do not forget to factor in the cost of alterations, which can run from $20 for a small nip or tuck in the bodice to $200 or more for more labor-intensive work. If you buy your dress at a bridal salon, ask whether alterations are included and, if not, get a written estimate of the alteration costs ahead of time. Get started early so you can avoid a "rush fee". Designer wedding dresses typically must be ordered two to five months ahead of time; if you order late, many shops will charge 10 to 25 percent extra. Most wedding dresses will require special undergarments, which vary depending on the style. At minimum, most brides pay $30 and up for a strapless bra and many buy a body-slimming garment such as Spanx for about $50. Make sure to try on the undergarments with the dress as early as possible.
Thing No. 3
How do you get the discounts?
One of the best ways to get a quality dress at a steep discount is to attend a sample sale at a bridal salon or designer's studio, where floor samples are sold for 25 to 75 percent off. However, most store samples come in smaller sizes, so this works for brides who are a street size 4, 6 or 8. Some shops sell overstock, too, and those dresses come in a range of sizes. Save money by ordering a bridesmaid's dress in white or ivory, but be aware that some designers charge an extra fee of $50 or more for a single ivory dress. This can be a good option for a bride who cannot afford a very expensive wedding gown but is drawn toward more luxurious natural fabrics, such as silk.
Thing No. 4
Where are you going to shop?
Be aware that wedding dresses can easily be taken in, but it is difficult or impossible to let them out. Also, it is important to know that wedding dresses typically run a size or two smaller than street size. Brides.com offers a guide on how to get the perfect fit. And theknot.com offers shopping tips. If you want to buy a designer dress but do not want to pay designer prices and are willing to consider a worn-once dress, sites such as preownedweddingdresses.com and ebay offer dresses that originally costs thousands of dollars for up to 70 percent off. Other shopping options include David's Bridal, which offers a variety of dresses in various sizes that can be purchased on-the-spot, and online wedding retailers such as House of Brides, which often offer designer dresses at steep discounts. Some brides try on a dress at a boutique, then order it online for less. The tradeoff, though, is the lack of in-person service. For local bridal salons, theknot.com offers a city-by-city guide to retail shops.
