You don’t have to go to your nearest bridal store for that perfect dress anymore; there are lots of other options that will satisfy every bride’s desires and budget.
Bridal dress rental
A popular choice for some brides is rental, its appeal being a type of dress or a particular designer that was not previously an option because it would have been out of your price range. Bridal dress rental is not for everyone but if you don’t have any issues that the dress has been previously worn or that you don’t get to keep the dress after the big day then this could be the perfect solution for you. Just be wary of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, as details like cleaning, damages and alternations can make or break your happy day if they become an issue.
Charity stores
There’s no shame in charity stores or eBay for that special dress. Some major charity stores have special areas just for wedding dresses, a number of of them are pre-loved and donated by brides, but the majority come from bridal retailers or designers who change their stock regularly. It’s a great way to buy your dream dress at the fraction of the price you would normally pay. Downsides are not getting the vast choice you would elsewhere and limitations with sizes available. eBay is also an option for getting something a bit special without blowing your wedding budget. Some dresses are known to have gone for so little that there will be money left over in the budget for other little treats!
Wear a family wedding dress
What could be more special than getting married in the dress your mother or grandmother wore? OK it might not work for everyone depending on the era that her big day took place but there’s a chance that the dress could be just what you want and it has very special sentimental. Much will also depend on whether you are fortunate or unfortunate to be sized in the same way as your mother/grandmother. Why not bring the dress up to current trends by adding your own bits of bling and detail to give it that personal touch? Your dress could become a true vintage dress to pass down the generations.
Design your own dress
Designing your own dress is the perfect way to ensure you get exactly what you want and a total one off. You may have your dress already pictured in your mind or maybe you are ‘borrowing’ ideas from dresses on your wish list. This option can vary depending on your budget, top end being the full works with an actual designer on board to make your fantasy a reality, to the more affordable seamstress and pattern approach. The options are endless with every kind of design, colour and fabric available to you. One tip, do listen to the advice of your designer or seamstress. If they tell you the fabric you have chosen or the extravagant design you have in mind won’t work, listen to them – they know what they are talking about.
Design a dress online
Designing you own dress online is popular too, most are free services which allow you to use your imagination to the full using the tools online. You can see your dream dress formed before your eyes, print it off and take it to your carefully selected seamstress to be made. Finding a good seamstress can be a challenge, especially when you are trusting them with the most important dress of your life. Trawling through the local directory pages just won’t cut it. If you don’t have a tip from a fellow bride, try asking for recommendations from some of the better dress boutiques. Some may be a little apprehensive to give away their secrets if it looks like you are not going to make your big purchase there, so you may have to be a little more devious.
Buy from a wedding store
Bridal dress rental
A popular choice for some brides is rental, its appeal being a type of dress or a particular designer that was not previously an option because it would have been out of your price range. Bridal dress rental is not for everyone but if you don’t have any issues that the dress has been previously worn or that you don’t get to keep the dress after the big day then this could be the perfect solution for you. Just be wary of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, as details like cleaning, damages and alternations can make or break your happy day if they become an issue.
Charity stores
There’s no shame in charity stores or eBay for that special dress. Some major charity stores have special areas just for wedding dresses, a number of of them are pre-loved and donated by brides, but the majority come from bridal retailers or designers who change their stock regularly. It’s a great way to buy your dream dress at the fraction of the price you would normally pay. Downsides are not getting the vast choice you would elsewhere and limitations with sizes available. eBay is also an option for getting something a bit special without blowing your wedding budget. Some dresses are known to have gone for so little that there will be money left over in the budget for other little treats!
Wear a family wedding dress
What could be more special than getting married in the dress your mother or grandmother wore? OK it might not work for everyone depending on the era that her big day took place but there’s a chance that the dress could be just what you want and it has very special sentimental. Much will also depend on whether you are fortunate or unfortunate to be sized in the same way as your mother/grandmother. Why not bring the dress up to current trends by adding your own bits of bling and detail to give it that personal touch? Your dress could become a true vintage dress to pass down the generations.
Design your own dress
Designing your own dress is the perfect way to ensure you get exactly what you want and a total one off. You may have your dress already pictured in your mind or maybe you are ‘borrowing’ ideas from dresses on your wish list. This option can vary depending on your budget, top end being the full works with an actual designer on board to make your fantasy a reality, to the more affordable seamstress and pattern approach. The options are endless with every kind of design, colour and fabric available to you. One tip, do listen to the advice of your designer or seamstress. If they tell you the fabric you have chosen or the extravagant design you have in mind won’t work, listen to them – they know what they are talking about.
Design a dress online
Designing you own dress online is popular too, most are free services which allow you to use your imagination to the full using the tools online. You can see your dream dress formed before your eyes, print it off and take it to your carefully selected seamstress to be made. Finding a good seamstress can be a challenge, especially when you are trusting them with the most important dress of your life. Trawling through the local directory pages just won’t cut it. If you don’t have a tip from a fellow bride, try asking for recommendations from some of the better dress boutiques. Some may be a little apprehensive to give away their secrets if it looks like you are not going to make your big purchase there, so you may have to be a little more devious.
Buy from a wedding store
Buying from a store is still the most popular route for brides to be. You get that all round experience you don’t really get from some of the other options like the attentive service, a glass of fizz and plush rooms to dress in. It’s a good idea to make just a few appointments in one day as you will find yourself so totally overwhelmed by everything you have seen you won’t have a clue what you tried on. Ask your maid of honour or mother to take notes on what you have tried on. Unfortunately the majority of places won’t let you take photos for fear of you stealing their designs. The most information they can jot down the better so that you clearly remember each dress and how it made you feel.
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