At The Budget Bride Company, we only ever showcase Wedding Dresses costing less than £1k. Thinking along these lines, today’s Top Ten is all about how to get the dress of your dreams on the budget you have available…

 

1. Go pre-loved: This is a brilliant way to get a designer frock at a fraction of the price. If you go to a reputable store or charity shop, then the wedding dresses should be in near perfect condition. It is easy to arrange a low cost alteration of the dress in areas where you might need a slight adjustment to make it the perfect fit for you. Have a look at the lovely specialist bridal stores from Oxfam, where the average price for a gown is around £250: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/bridal .

 

2. Make your own: An incredible way to have total control over your dream dress whilst making the absolute most of your budget. This is a great option if you are handy with a sewing machine or have a relative or friend who is a talented seamstress – perhaps they could make it for you as an early wedding present? Search ‘Wedding Dress Patterns’ on Ebay.co.uk and you should find options for less than £10. There are some great vintage options on Etsy.com if you are going for a retro look. When it comes to choosing your material, you can be as creative as you like. Check out the lovely options on www.bridalfabrics.co.uk where you can choose the basic fabric for your dress, adding on embellishments and appliques to suit your taste and budget.

 

3. Designer label on a budget: I have always been a massive fan of the Biba dresses at House of Fraser. This iconic label gives us some of the most gorgeous shapes and materials for under £600 and you can indulge in that 70’s glamour puss feeling on your big day!

 

4. Go light hearted and summery – the wedding dresses at Monsoon are a big hit due to their flattering feminine shapes and brilliant price tags! Dresses are priced at an average of £200; this is proof that you don’t have to compromise to get an elegant dress on a budget.

 

5. Wear your own favourite dress: Who says that you have to wear a white gown? With the current trends for all things unique, it could be a great time to don your own favourite frock – be it a colourful silk maxi dress or a fun knee length tea dress, you know it fits you perfectly and makes you feel like a million dollars, so go for it!!

 

6. Get creative: Treat yourself to a new dress from your favourite shop and customise it. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a gorgeous dress from Oasis or Topshop and by customising with beads, lace, feathers or rhinestones you could get a really individual look that will turn heads and could end up costing you less than £100.

 

7. Mum’s the word: I loved my Mum’s wedding dress choice – she wore a beautiful gold silk strapless dress that looked so elegant and glamorous. As well as being a massively respectful nod to your family history, wearing one of your relative’s wedding dresses could mean that you get your big day dress for free! You may need to get a couple of amendments made by a seamstress to ensure the perfect fit, but the cost for these adjustments are usually minimal compared to the price of a new wedding dress.

 

8. Trawl the sales: Keep an eye on your local bridal boutique’s sale dates. You can get some fantastic deals on end of line gowns and ex-rental dresses that would otherwise be out of your budget. You can find some real gems if you are patient and it can be worth the hunt to shave £100’s off your dream dress.

 

9. Speak to a student: Students taking wedding dress and fashion design courses are usually on the lookout for models that they can use when creating their pieces. If you’re lucky and ask nicely, they might let you wear the finished article on your big day! Fashion colleges also run end of course fashion shows and sales, where you might be able to find yourself a bargain from an up and coming designer. Check in with local colleges that run fashion courses for more information.

 

10. Hire your dress: The boys hire their outfits, so why shouldn’t the girls? This will be a dress that you only wear once, so why not cash in on the savings potential of hiring your dress for the big day? You will have bags of choice from designers which might otherwise be just out of reach if you were looking to purchase. Have a look at www.SavvyCinderella.co.uk  for dresses to hire from £195 and www.vonleebridalhire.com whose clear three tier charges (£95, £195 or £245) make it easy to choose your dress within your budget.

 

Happy Budget Wedding Dress Hunting!

 

Laura x