You’ve got the ring, now to find the perfect dress! Whether you’ve been dreaming of your perfect dress for years or you have absolutely no idea what you want to wear, setting a budget is key! For those of you with a budget on the smaller side, here are some tips to help you find the perfect dress without breaking your bank.
What to look for in a dress
1. The first thing to consider when you go shopping is color. The exact shade of the color of your dress depends on your skin tone, with a typical range of around 16-18 shades. What’s more, these shades are based on the color of natural eyes, so they’ll go beautifully with your eyes.
2. Size You want a dress that fits you properly, and as the name suggests, looks as good when it’s off as on. Keep in mind that a full bust is larger than a full bottom, and if you have a small waist, it’s best to pick a full top. If your body type is pear-shaped, like Meghan Markle, then you should avoid lace. Instead, look for a delicate lace or beaded dress. Also, ensure that you choose a gown that’s not too short. (There’s nothing worse than picking up a racy silhouette as you approach the altar and bumping into the vicar.) 2. Neckline For a good wedding dress that looks amazing, you need to pay attention to the neckline, especially if you have a more va-va-voom figure.
What to avoid looking for in a dress
First, you’ll want to look for a dress that fits you well and looks flattering on your figure. You’ll want to avoid something that will be way too short, or far too complicated. However, there are some styles out there that are best suited for thinner figures, so you might consider looking for these: White Lavender or champagne Light blue or white The short dresses and maxi dresses on this list are perfect for fuller figures. Remember that the smaller you are, the tighter the corset will need to be, so pay extra attention to your body type and choose wisely. Some easy tricks to help you find a dress: Budget on what you know you’ll want to spend (between 200 – 300 pounds).
Getting a one-off wedding dress
There’s no need to break the bank to buy a wedding dress. You could consider buying a wedding dress as an alternative to a wedding dress with your partner, and then returning it to the designer for a new wedding dress. It’s more cost-effective and you still get the same experience of wearing the dress. Alternatively, you could have a custom wedding dress made by a specialist bridal salon. You will find more wedding dress shops at each bridal fair you attend than you would at other big wedding dress retailers. You’ll also be able to be fitted for your wedding dress in-store to ensure the perfect fit. Some of these companies will also send a free wedding gown if you don’t like your first choice.
Buying a wedding dress second-hand
First of all, don’t worry! It’s a great place to start when it comes to saving money. Look at second-hand shops where the dress you want to wear is already worn. For instance, online second-hand wedding dress retailer Love Bridal will let you pick up the dress at a pre-arranged meeting point or have it delivered. The dress will be cleaned and unpierced and the fitting will take place there and then. This way, there are no additional costs. You will be surprised how many people turn to second-hand wedding dress online to save money on their dresses! Buying a bridal gown from a bridal designer If you have some budget, why not go to a wedding dress designer to get the perfect dress? There are plenty of designers out there who offer their gowns second-hand as well.
Buying a wedding dress from the internet
If you’re not happy with anything you’ve seen online, don’t panic. Although you may find it difficult to view dresses and gowns in the flesh, we’re sure you can find one that’s just right for you. You can now visit bridal shows, especially for those in your local area, or you can sign up for BridesGuide, which has bridal fashion show videos on a range of different high-street brands. There are also reliable national chains like In The Style, ASOS, and Topshop that sell high-street wedding dresses. It’s often a good idea to visit these stores to get a feel for the styles before making a decision, especially if you’re buying a gown that you can customize. Always try on wedding dresses before making a purchase.
Buying a wedding dress from a bridal shop
If you’re going to a traditional bridal shop, then you’ll definitely want to do some online research and browsing to help you decide what you like. The most popular brands for wedding dresses are from luxury labels, so most of your research will be based on this. Sometimes, you can find lesser known designers from boutique studios, too. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, pop in your favorite brand or studio to see the shop. You could be pleasantly surprised by how much the dresses actually cost, so don’t let that be a deterrent! When searching on the internet, it’s important to remember that all images of wedding dresses can be Photoshopped or edited to look like they’re the perfect fit for your body shape.
Buying a wedding dress from a vintage shop
Vintage stores are a good place to go if you want to find a wedding dress that is vintage, made of fabric or with a slight vintage vibe. They are full of everything from formal and traditional to really pretty and edgy dresses. It’s a good place to look for second hand bridesmaids’ dresses as well – pick something that you know the bride will like and you will probably find something that works for your dress as well. For less than $150, try looking on Etsy. They have a huge selection of clothes, accessories and wedding dresses.
Final Words
An expensive wedding dress can easily come with a price tag of upwards of $10,000. While this may seem like a huge number, there are certainly other options in a more reasonably priced range, even under $500! A well-fitting wedding dress will make all the difference! There’s nothing more flattering than a dress that fits you just right!
