YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:28:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php texstyle on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1429340 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:37:50 +0000 texstyle 1429340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Under $200 from a resale shop that focused on bridal wear. citygirldc on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428941 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:31:11 +0000 citygirldc 1428941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I got married in 2004 and had found a lace dress online that I had fall in love with. There was one left at a small bridal shop just outside of NYC and went to try it on. Cost me $600 including alterations. karymk on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428920 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:01:33 +0000 karymk 1428920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I picked the first dress I tried on at Saks in 1992. It was on the sale rack and was $800. A huge bargain for this dress. I had it altered to fit and it was magnificent! Anonymous on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428869 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 20:54:23 +0000 Anonymous 1428869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you want something you can wear again, I'm recommending that you take this opportunity to buy a really beautiful cocktail/event type dress, and allow yourself to spend more than you would ordinarily. If you really put thought into your accessories, hair, and makeup no one will think you are underdressed or any less glamorous. And you won't have to change your dress for the dancing and party after! My daughter wanted white, and while there are white knee length dresses, there aren't tons of them, and a lot are resort or summer, casual styles, eyelet, etc. It took her months (!!) to find the right one, right up to the wire, but she did, and she looked and felt perfect. eds on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428715 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 16:05:21 +0000 eds 1428715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My daughter was married 5 years ago. We intended to keep it under $1000. I kid you not, she tried on probably 100 dresses. By the time she put the one on that brought a smile to her face and the words "I think I like it!" I would probably have paid anything LOL. We did go several hundred over budget but it was worth knowing how beautiful she felt that day. I think budget is always personal, but any bride should feel like she looks terrific on her wedding day. Staysfit on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428592 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:09:43 +0000 Staysfit 1428592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ $500. In 1988. It was a wedding gift from my grandmother. Carla on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428501 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 04:19:38 +0000 Carla 1428501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ $200.00 with the veil thrown in for free! It was the year of the Diana dress (30+ years ago) and I didn't want that. Got it on sale, from old stock. I did splurge a bit on flowers, and wore a small, half wreath in my hair. Goodwill got it when we did a purge before a big move. rachylou on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428424 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:10:00 +0000 rachylou 1428424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Big one. Conservative. Women wear mantillas to cover their hair just like in church. But oh yes. You can't show your shoulders to God. Elly on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428414 Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:00:18 +0000 Elly 1428414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I understand the dilemma. I haven't been married but was engaged before and my partner and I discuss a future marriage, and consequently a wedding, often. Spending money on our life rather than the wedding is important to us. However, having a wedding is important to me for family reasons. He has been married before, at the courthouse but with a shindig, so that is out. My family has a piece of property that has hosted many weddings, so a homegrown option is a good one. The plan is to go inexpensive with a morning ceremony with coffee and pastry. He doesn't dance, and some of his friends and my family members drink to excess, and others don't drink. It sounds easiest. That said, I'm a photographer and a historian, so photos are important and if you are going to pay for photos, the dress becomes important. That said, it seems ridiculous to spend more on clothes than any other aspect of the wedding excluding photography. The SO would mich rather have extra money toward a down payment on a home or a kick-butt honeymoon. I've looked at bridesmaid's dresses and there are some lovely options in white and ivory, particularly by Dessy. I'm also a big fan of Saja weddings, but they are more in the $1000 range, which seems like a lot to me as I can't imagine wearing any white dress appropriate for a cool-temperatured outdoor wedding again with my lifestyle. That said, by the time it comes around we might just self-solemize on top of a mountain, which is a perk of living in CO. gradfashionista on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428348 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 23:15:44 +0000 gradfashionista 1428348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Tulle, love the Edwardian look, corset and all. Minnie, I saw that study when it came up. We're trying to be low key, but food catering will be really expensive because of the religious establishment's oversight. Rachylou, what kind of community was that? I'd didn't know synagogues had explicit dress codes concerning weddings.  Natalie, great bargain. I've also thrown out once-sentimental clothing when there was no reason for keeping it. Janet and Kiwigal, I just spoke with a custom dressmaker about replicating a dress I saw, but adding sleeves. It will likely be the same price, even though I was hoping it would be cheaper. A lot of reviews online praised her skills, and this may be the route I take! Jem, I saw that option available on Etsy, but wasn't a huge fan of the styles. Retail Girl, I've had my eye on J.Crew dresses, but am not a fan of ivory white, and am looking for something tea length, which they don't carry at the moment. gradfashionista on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428342 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 23:07:12 +0000 gradfashionista 1428342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a diversity of budgets and experiences!   Zibbets and Dina, I'm feeling the stress and drama, even though I'd be perfectly with an off-the-rack normal dress. The problem is that I'm not really a fan of a lot of dress styles out there. Glad that off the rack styles have worked for some! Carter, Style Fan, Umm Lila, Joy, Ms Mave, Jen--even if the dress wasn't 100% what you were seeking, I envy the way your budgets worked out.   Sterling, it's great to read how fond you are off the dress. Sounds like your decision really worked out well. Froggiebecky, Thistle, Laura, Lisap--the advantages of knowing one's style is so critical, and can really cut down the budget if you can sew, or know someone who can. Laurinda, exactly, my plan is to get something I can wear again. Aziraphale and Echo, looking at it as a costume is a good idea, but it's hard to do that when you're dressing like a cultural hybrid, I find.  Caro in Oz, I was looking at suits but they are so hard to find, and also quite expensive! Plus SO has poo-pooed the idea. Wearing pants in the community we belong to would be a huge statement, moreso than the one I will already be making. KL, beautiful photos! I'm actually a big fan of tea length dresses and having been looking for a white tea length dress to wear at the reception as a compromise (not wearing a white dress for the ceremony). TorontoGirl, generous boss! A pleasant surprise, no doubt. Fuzzy logic, step one: achieved!   retailgirl on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428274 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:58:48 +0000 retailgirl 1428274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I got married in 1977. The prevailing wedding dress style then was Queen Anne neckline, long sleeves, and made out of Qiana, a shiny polyester knit. Usually about $100. Yecch! I knew I didn't want that, but $100 was my budget. I thought. Then I saw a dress in a brides magazine which was a moire taffeta full skirt, and a chiffon blouse with a ruffle around the neck and down the front. It was exactly what I wanted, ( from Priscilla's of Boston, no less.) it was $250. I went to Boston to try it on, loved it, ordered it. I dithered over spending $25 more to get extra length. ( I'm tall.). To give this perspective, I made $10000 a year then. My going away outfit was a Villager suit, ( comp. to Lauren) with the jkt costing $88, the skirt $40 and a vest, $40. Which I wore with a Chaus blouse which cost $40. Anyway! $1400 is probably not crazy for a wedding dress. Get what you love. Don't think about being able to use it again, or passing it down. It's probably the item of clothing that has the most significance Of anything you will ever wear. Have you looked at J Crew? They have some lovely dresses if you are minimal. And I've seen brides in things from David's Bridal that were beautiful. Sal on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it/page/2#post-1428174 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:35:21 +0000 Sal 1428174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had mine made for me. I was very casual and did not try any on, and just said I wanted it to be like Brooke Shields dress when she married Andre Agassi. I was happy with it, I loved having a swooshy skirt. It was about NZD$500 in 1998. I have worn it once since, a friend had a wedding night when Kate and Wills got married. We wore our wedding dresses and ate British food and drank lots of champagne. My sisters both chose designer dresses and spent far more than I did. They both looked stunning too. Our wedding was hilarious but such a happy day. Jem on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428172 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:33:00 +0000 Jem 1428172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We ordered my daughters dress from China.  It seems like it was around 300.00.  She had tried on dresses, so she had an idea what she liked.  There were way  more choices and we only had minor adjustments that needed to made.   Janet on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428170 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:29:43 +0000 Janet 1428170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I went into the shopping process thinking I'd spend up to $1500 for just the right one. This was almost 12 years ago. It was not so easy to find something  to my taste for my budget. I was finding lots of too-fussy, too-ornate, cheap or typical looking styles that were way too expensive for what they were, and I was 36 years old, so not exactly a really young bride with visions of princess dresses -- in fact, quite the contrary. So, I ended up working with a local costume designer who also specializes in bridal dresses, and upped my budget to $2000. It was a fantastic experience -- the only time in my life I've had a custom-made, just-for-me garment. If you're only going to have that once in your life, it should be your wedding day. :-) I'm OK with what I spent because we met our budget overall and saved money in other ways. We had the wedding in our back yard (no venue rental), the cake was free (one of my BFFs is an amazing cake designer), music was free, and flowers and photography were a great deal, thanks to friends and clients. Our biggest expenses were renting a tent and the catering. We had fewer than 50 guests and a full sit-down dinner and an open bar (including cocktails before the ceremony, which people loved!). All in all, it was well-budgeted for where we were financially at the time. No regrets here. I still have my wedding dress, boxed up and saved. One of my nieces has expressed interest in it, so who knows, maybe someday it will get worn again!  Natalie on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428162 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:16:10 +0000 Natalie 1428162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I bought both my wedding dresses at small boutiques.  I never thought of a big traditional gown.  The first -- 1987 -- was tea length, high necked, long-sleeved cream lace sheath over a cream slip.  It cost about $250, and when I was divorced 20 years later, I threw it away.  The dress I intend to wear this summer for a small civil service is a sleeveless, knee-length white (!) dress by Tahari that has lace insets around the shoulders and hem.  I bought it on sale at the end of last summer for $75, and I love it!    rachylou on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428150 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 17:47:59 +0000 rachylou 1428150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm. Never been a bride, but was maid of honor and my friend spent $4000. I told her she couldn't get married in the synagogue showing her shoulders to God. She didn't believe me. She had an outdoors wedding instead. My idea of the right price is $25 from Big Lots. It may explain why she's married and I've never been. Hehe. Minnie on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428036 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:14:55 +0000 Minnie 1428036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There is a recent study that shows that the more expensive a wedding is, the more likely it is to end in divorce. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/13/living/wedding-expenses-study/">http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/13/.....ses-study/</a> My first wedding was fairly expensive and I filed for divorce 7 months later. My second wedding was very low budget, I bought a sale-dress for under $100 at a department store and 19 years later our marriage is still going strong. Spend what you feel you can comfortably afford. tulle on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1428004 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 10:14:14 +0000 tulle 1428004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fascinating, such a variety of experiences!  For our small wedding in 1986, I sewed my dress, and my biggest investment was the $5 Folkwear pattern based on an ankle-length Edwardian tea dress.  I already owned a few yards  of sheer white-on-cream patterned lawn, and a piece of antique lace for neckline detail.  I put my hair up in a loose bun secured by a small netted cap--also homemade--of fine brass wire & pearls, and felt lovely.  I find the cost of wedding gowns--and weddings!--today pretty shocking, I must admit. fuzzylogic on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427989 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 07:56:25 +0000 fuzzylogic 1427989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your marriage is more than one day and what you pay for a dress is largely irrelevant  in the longer term.  Find a gorgeous man.  Then find a dress you love and are happy with!!!  It's likely you will never wear it again. Jen on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427984 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 06:50:30 +0000 Jen 1427984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The one I really wanted was over $2000. My budget was $1000. I ended up with one for around $800. I would pick a totally different dress if I had to do it all over again. Not the one I really wanted at that time either! It's not that I dislike the dress I picked, I just was never totally in love with it. deb on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427911 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 02:51:45 +0000 deb 1427911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did not have a choice, I had to wear my mom's. Just the way it was. Echo on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427907 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 02:48:34 +0000 Echo 1427907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mine was purchased from a shop local to my mum 18 years ago, and it was $350. At the time I knew precisely nothing about dresses and what their expected cost might be, so I hadn't the foggiest clue whether it was expensive or a bargain then. It was beautiful and totally '80's-tastic (even though it was not the '80's!), but unmistakably "me". And I was of the same opinion as Aziraphale in that I wanted something I never could/would wear again - a dress that screamed wedding. Never before had I ever worn a white dress, and never again did I, so it was worth the investment. Jaime on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427875 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:55:40 +0000 Jaime 1427875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I rented my dress - it was altered to fit and then back it went.  MsMaven on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427870 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:52:12 +0000 MsMaven 1427870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wore my sister's dress. My Mom made the dress 7 years earlier and she altered it to fit me and updated it. Sis kept it in case her daughter wanted it, but styles had changed. I felt neutral about it--I had no money at that time, and I was used to wearing my sister's and aunts' hand me downs. Kristin L on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427861 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:34:29 +0000 Kristin L 1427861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mine was $600 and it was bought last year. I knew I wanted to stay as far below $1000 as I could. I knew I wanted a "shorter" dress - I wanted tea length - and those dresses seemed to cost less than their floor length counterparts from the same brands. While they were typically a little less expensive, it was harder to find them. The best advice I can give is what I was told. If you dress is important to you, then find what works for you. Just remember that some things may have to cut or changed to fit your new budget. Another idea that I heard a few girls doing was trying on some of the fancier bridesmaid dresses. Most of them come in white/ivory/what shade you'll be wearing, and they typically cheaper.  Below are a few of my wedding pics from this past September. Even though my dress wasn't a more traditional length, I loved it. And I got a lot of compliments on the length as well.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-few-wedding-pics">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....dding-pics</a> Helena on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427860 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:32:42 +0000 Helena 1427860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I got a $1500 bonus at work right around dress shopping time (my boss was pretty awesome!). That became my budget, and I loved my dress. That said - at the end of the day, its hanging in my closet 12 years later, still stained on the bottom as it eventually becomes a mop for spilled wine and floor dirt at the reception ... Set your budget and then get the very best u can ... Splurge as much as u are comfortable for sure, but invest in your life, not your dress Anonymous on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427858 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:21:56 +0000 Anonymous 1427858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My budget was as little as possible because my parents could not afford to help.  in 1970 I bought my dress new at a boutique for $60.  It fit perfectly with out alterations.  I can't say that I loved the dress.  It was more a matter of finding anything to fit someone weighing under 100 pounds and petite and flat chested in a Midwest city.  Everything was huge.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427856 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:16:31 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1427856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Free. Borrowed a dress. Used limited money available for honeymoon in Cyprus (closest honeymooning destination at the time.) Caro in Oz on "Wedding dress budget--what was yours and did you stick to it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wedding-dress-budget--what-was-yours-and-did-you-stick-to-it#post-1427845 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:50:01 +0000 Caro in Oz 1427845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I didn't wear a dress - it was my special day & I knew I wouldn't feel right in a dress so I wore a cream silk pants suit. It cost a lot for the time; around the $400 mark but I felt fantastic on the day & wore heaps afterwards. I had a cloche hat made to wear with it too.