You’ve probably dreamed about your breathtaking wedding gown for years.

Now that the time has finally arrived to “Say Yes to the Dress,” you might be wondering where to start the process.

Ask a bridal expert this question, and you’ll most likely hear, “Start by setting a budget.” After all, you don’t want to shuffle through endless racks of wedding gowns only to find the dress of your dreams doesn’t match your budget. 

To help you avoid the heartache and establish the right wedding dress budget, we recommend following six easy steps.

First, What Influences the Cost of a Wedding Dress? 

The three main factors that determine the price of a wedding dress include:

The Dress Décor

Your dress décor relates to the embellishments it comes with. Sequins, lace appliques, beading, and Swarovski crystals could make your dress more expensive.

If you’re looking for a glamorous bridal gown at an affordable price, you can have your professional seamstress add customized embellishments.

Or, you can choose to replace pricey embellishments with statement jewelry pieces. 

The Fabric

What your dress is made of determines how much it would cost. If your wedding gown is crafted from fabrics like tulle, silk, and embroidered lace, it will come with a heavier price tag.

On the other hand, if it’s made from fabrics like chiffon, crepe, and cotton, it will offer high affordability. 

Hair and Accessories 

Your wedding outfit isn’t just limited to your gown. Your hairdo, accessories, shoes, veil, and jewelry play a critical part in putting your look together.

If you’re looking for a wedding dress on a budget, be sure you keep the price of your hair and accessories to a minimum (ideally between $150 to $400).

How to Set a Wedding Dress Budget 

Crafting a budget for your wedding dress? Here are six easy steps to follow:

Determine your Overall Wedding Budget

The budget of your wedding dress depends almost entirely on your overall wedding budget.

Whether your family members finance your wedding or you and your fiancé foot the bill, it is critical to know the exact expenditure of your wedding. Once you arrive at the right number, the next step would be to…

Do Some Simple Math

Once your wedding budget is set in stone, it’s time to apply the 10% rule. In other words, the cost of your wedding gown must be 10% of your overall wedding budget.

For instance, if your wedding costs $20,000, your dress must be budgeted at $2,000. 

Research, Research, Research!

Perform ample research before you start your shopping journey. By research, we don’t just mean filtering out gowns on Pinterest or saving countless posts on Instagram. 

Instead, we recommend heading to multiple salons to determine which dresses fall in what price range.

Researching which types of fabrics, embellishments, and designs cost more can give you a clear idea of how a specific wedding dress would be priced.

This is especially important when you book an appointment at a salon. Why? you don’t want to get all excited only to find the dresses you fall in love with are far outside your budget.  

Focus on Your Personal Style

When shopping for a wedding dress, remember that your personal style is as important as your gown’s budget. Not all wedding dresses are created equal. 

Fabrics, design, embellishments, and quality are important factors to consider when it comes to determining both your budget and style. 

Find out how each one of these wedding gown elements relates to your style and shortlist designs that will flatter you the most.

Get Your Priorities Straight

What will you look back on the most long after you say “I do?”

The photographs of you and the love of your life on your big day. This demands that your gown is stunning and your photographer is a genius!

However, since every bride is different, it’s best to sketch a comprehensive list of wedding day expenses and arrange them based on what you prioritize the most. Your list could include:

• Venue 
• Photography 
• Wedding dress
• Florals
• Drinks and catering
• Music 
• Stationery 

Feel free to bend the 10% rule if you think your wedding dress is at the top of your list.  

Don’t Forget the Alteration Costs

From detailed alterations to altering a simple hem, most wedding dresses come with their own share of alteration costs.

The more complex your alterations, the more they cost and even the most minor ones can sum up to a hundred dollars.

Some stores offer in-house alterations whereas some require you to find your own seamstress. You will also end up spending more if you’re looking to customize your gown by adding lace, removing sleeves, or more. 

Regardless of the type of alterations you get, remember to factor in their costs when shopping for a wedding gown. 

Tips to Save Big While Wedding Dress Shopping 

The perfect wedding gown doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are three ways to save big when shopping for a wedding dress:

Get a Sample Wedding Gown 

If you have a hard time setting a budget but want an affordable designer wedding gown, consider shopping at sample sales.

Studios and salons often try to get rid of gowns that have been discontinued. Sample gowns are gowns that are tried on by other brides. This means you may not be getting a brand-new piece. 

Simply because they’ve been tried on doesn’t mean these gowns are not in good condition. In most cases, they only experience minor wear and tear.

When purchasing a sample dress, make sure you ask the salon to repair issues like ripped hems, uneven beading, or faulty zippers. 

Avoid Extensive (and Expensive) Alterations

Designer dress alterations can shoot up your wedding dress budget. But you can easily avoid this issue by choosing a gown that “almost fits.”

Another way around it would be to invest in a corset-style dress. This dress type comes with built-in shapewear that highlights your gorgeous form without the need for extensive alterations. 

Look for Discounted Designer Gowns 

Not all high-end, designer wedding gowns are expensive. Online marketplaces offer high-end wedding dresses by popular designers at markdown prices.

You can even buy a wedding gown off the rack and get it altered to perfection if you feel your budget is too constricted. 

A Final Word 

Your wedding dress shopping must be a memorable adventure, not a series of heartaches. Establishing a precise (and realistic!) budget can help you find the dress of your dreams with ease and efficiency.

Remember, sticking to your budget is as important as setting it. That said, it’s time to find your style and start shopping already!