Sunday, December 19, 2010

Wedding Dress Savings – How to Dress to Impress, For Less

Your wedding gown - arguably the most important garment purchase in your lifetime. No other dress comes with more anticipation – and will be more photographed - than this one. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend like royalty to look like a princess on your wedding day. With these smart strategies, you can still walk down the aisle feeling like a million bucks (without having to spend just that).

Something Borrowed

Today, anything retro screams chic. So consider donning your mother’s wedding gown. You’ll not only honor a family legacy, you’ll save a pretty penny too! With vintage lace overlays and crystal embellishments making a comeback, you won’t have to worry about looking dated. With a few simple (and inexpensive) alterations, you can make it your own.

Avoid Added Adornments

Beading, pleating, stitching, embroidering…all of these trimmings add up and are going to cost you extra. Consider a dress that is simply embellished, yet still elegant.

Shop Savvy

Be on the lookout for sample sales, trunk shows, and outlet bargains. Bridal shops are trying to rid their racks of the previous season’s styles to make room for new ones in the late-summer/winter months. Get ready to brave the crowds for super savings.

Don't Name Drop

Sure, designer duds are nice – but if you’re on a budget – you may want to skip the sought-after label. The good news is that you won’t have to sacrifice on style. If you find a look you like from a high-end dress designer, you can almost always find something similar by another name in your price range.

Be Honest

Just because your wedding dress budget doesn’t match your elaborate vision doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look you want. Approach this shopping decision with an open mind. When stepping into a bridal boutique, tell them exactly what you can realistically spend, and let them take care of the rest. They are the experts, and you might be surprised to see what they can come up with—the perfect wedding gown exists at every price point.

Think Outside Traditional Tulle and Lace

There’s no written rule that says your wedding day attire has to be an official bridal gown. The look you are going for is often available through another avenue. For instance, many bridesmaids’ dresses come in white or ivory, offering a less expensive, less fussy alternative to the traditional wedding dress.

Get started finding the perfect wedding dress

Now that you’re prepped with some money saving tips, it’s time to start browsing. Look no further than our interactive Wedding Dress search. Here you can search thousands of wedding gowns by price, designer, fabric, silhouette, hemline, sleeve style - you name it.

Cori Russell is Editorial Director for Elegala.com and Wedding Advice from Industry Insiders blog and Editor for Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering a comprehensive national directory of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning articles, photo galleries, expert advice and checklists to keep brides current on today's wedding trends and styles.

Submitted by Cori Russell, www.elegala.com

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