9 SMART WAYS TO CUT COSTS ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS


Arguably the centrepiece of your wedding, you want your dress to be a showstopper. But what if your budget is a tad on the tight side? Don’t worry – follow our thrifty ideas for a dream frock that will rock your Big Day.




1. ASK MOM: Does your mom or grandmother (or future mother-in-law) still have her wedding dress? Perhaps it could be adapted to suit your taste for a fraction of the price of a new dress. Plus you’ll have the added bonus of wearing a cherished heirloom that you may be able to pass on to your daughter some day.

2. EMBRACE RETAIL: You don’t have to shop at a fancy wedding boutique or have your dress designed from scratch. Why not peruse the eveningwear catalogues of your favourite in-store or online retail brands – you may find the perfect gown in bridal tones for a steal. No one will be able to tell the difference.

3. SHOP OUT-OF-SEASON: If you’ve got your heart set on a bridal boutique or brand, you may save significantly by buying your dress after wedding season has passed, which runs from September to April in South Africa. You could also contact them to find out when they usually hold their annual clearance sales.

4. BE A VINTAGE VAMP:
An upmarket pre-loved clothing store is a treasure trove where you may find anything from designer brands to gowns discarded by Russian heiresses… For a steal. You’ll never know unless you look.

Related article: Our top celebrity wedding gowns for 2021

5. CHOOSE A CORSET-STYLE DRESS: A lace-up back means the dress can be easily be adjusted to your body, so you save on adjustment fees. Corsets flatter almost all body shapes, and can be adjusted effortlessly if you lose or pick up weight before your Big Day: it’s win-win-win.

6. KEEP IT SIMPLE: If you’re dead set on having a dress made, bear in mind that a well-tailored, paired down and elegant dress can make just as big an impact as one with elaborate embroidery, beads, sequins, frills and ruffles, which is where costs generally add up. In addition, choosing a cheaper fabric is also an easy cost-saving win when having a dress made – and remember, the less fabric you use, the lower the bill (miniskirt, anyone?).



Related article: Why are more couples choosing micro weddings?

7. CHEAT WITH A BRIDESMAID DRESS: You heard us. Often, bridesmaids’ dresses can steal the spotlight all on their own, if they’re not standing next to an OTT wedding dress. You’ll find one for far less than a formal wedding dress, and you can easily have a seamstress add beading or embroidery details that will elevate it to Royal Wedding status. For your bridesmaids, choose a stylish off-the-rack option. Sorted.

8. CONSIDER A PRE-LOVED GOWN: From Gumtree to dedicated online pre-loved wedding dress stores such as Innovine.co.za, Sellmyweddingdress.co.za or Weddingwish.co.za, a little online search savvy could connect you with your dream dress and a big saving.

9. WHAT ABOUT A RENTAL? Wedding dress rentals are also an option: according to Bridalwardrobe.co.za, hiring your wedding dress can save you up to 30-40% of your overall wedding costs. Plus, some rental companies offer expert advice on choosing a dress for your body shape, and you may be allowed to make certain alterations to your dress for a fee if necessary. Look for package deals that include bridesmaid’s outfits, earrings, garter and so on – some companies even allow you to keep some of these items after your wedding day.

Related article: Easy ways to cut your wedding costs


9 SMART WAYS TO CUT COSTS ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS 9 SMART WAYS TO CUT COSTS ON YOUR WEDDING DRESS Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar on March 03, 2022 Rating: 5
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