Wedding Gown Bargains
What is the best time to get a bargain on a wedding gown?
The best time to look for bargains in the bridal industry are during the off season when it's not busy for brides purchasing their gowns. Typically between January and March are the busiest times when brides are choosing their gowns. So it's very unlikely you will get discounts at that time. Later on through the year and towards Christmas for instance and between November and December you may be able to get a bargain. And do look out for sales. Most good salons only have one sale and that's a very good opportunity for you to get of a genuine bargain.
Can I substitute less expensive material and still get the wedding gown I want?
It is possible to substitute a less expensive material and still get the gown that you want. Particularly if we are talking about some of the higher end manufacturers. They will have alternative fabrics to their silks. For instance, typically polyester fabric and man-made fibber is going to cost you less money than silk, which is generally known as a luxury fabric. And it may be possible that you will get a very similar gown to the one of your liking, but at a lesser price point.
Will full-price wedding gown retailers match discounters' prices?
It's very unlikely that a bridal salon will match a discounter's price. They simply cannot do that because they have overheads that a discount warehouse does not. I have a beautiful salon, good qualified staff and all of the good things that go with that. However, if you ask you may find that the salon may be able to provide you with a discounted price, that typically means that your gown is perhaps shipped directly to you or you will come in to collect your gown and try it on the first time, and will take your alterations or do your alterations elsewhere. Therefore, that cuts down on the time the consultant's have with you and therefore they can cut down the price of the gown.
Can I buy new brand-name wedding gowns online?
You can buy brand name wedding gowns online. However, you do have to be careful. You do not always get the genuine article. Sometimes they are copies of the gown that you have seen in pictures. There are no guarantees that the gown that you will get is exactly what you think you're ordering. Plus, you have to work out your sizing by yourself. You don't have the expertise of the bridal salon to help you. Typically there is no go between between the manufacturer and yourself. The bridal salon typically will always act in your best interest and would provide the buffer for you if the manufacturer is not doing their job correctly. The bridal salon will fix it.
Can I buy a used wedding gown?
On many occasions there are good reasons for buying used wedding gowns, and there are a number of ways of doing this. You can look online - they may be on eBay for instance. Sometimes there are gowns advertised that may have not been worn at all. Perhaps the wedding has been postponed or canceled. Sometimes there are gowns available that are slightly used. Also in the salon itself, you may be able to buy a sample gown that has had a little bit of wear and tried by different people, but typically if the salon is a good one it will keep it's sample gowns in good condition and you may get a bargain.
Can I rent a wedding gown instead of buying it?
You can rent a wedding gown instead of buying it. There are very few places that actually offer that service, and you do have to be cautious by the fact that very often it can cost you as much or even more than purchasing a less expensive wedding gown. For instance, you do have to be very careful, if the gown comes back damaged in any way, then you may be charged extra charges for that damage. These things might not be obvious when you first agree to the rental.
Can I sew my own wedding gown?
You can certainly sew your own wedding gown. However, in our experience, we have actually rescued a number of brides who have had their gowns sewn by either professionals or, in some cases, even their own family members. The reason for this is very simple. Often, what you see in a drawing, a picture, is not going to be exactly the same as the finished result. If the correct fabrics and correct structure is not there in the finished product, it will show and you will be disappointed. It's a very risky thing to do.
What is a 'sample wedding gown'?
A sample wedding gown is a wedding gown that the bridal salon will have tried on a number of different brides. They may, at some point, decide to discount those dresses. Some samples, if they're popular dresses, will have had a lot of wear and tear. You will need to examine them carefully to make sure that any repairs can be made before you purchase. On the other hand, some samples have very little use and are a bargain, because typically they're discounted perhaps because the gown's been discontinued by the manufacture and it is now taking up space within the bridal store.
How can 'something old' save me money on my wedding gown?
Occasionally, using something old, perhaps a vintage dress, can save you money on your wedding gown. However, most vintage dresses are in some need of repair, and many need considerable alterations to work for you. This can be either because your figure is different than that the original dress was designed for, or sometimes because the length is wrong. It can also cost you a lot of time and energy to recreate a vintage gown.
Can I wear a bridesmaid's dress as my wedding gown?
It is possible to wear a bridesmaid's dress as a wedding gown. And this is a good alternative if you are in a very low budget or you have a very difficult time frame. A bridesmaid's dress typically does not take as long to order as a bridal gown so it can be made faster. It is less expensive because it's not such luxurious fabric. The concern about this is that you will not necessarily get the same quality of product as you do when buying a bridal gown. The construction for instance isn't always as good. There is not as much boning in the gown to hold it up and overall you may be a little disappointed the end result.
Does my wedding dress have to be an official wedding gown?
Your wedding dress does not have to be an official wedding gown. I always say there are no more rules in bridal these days, pretty much anything goes. You should always check first if there are any etiquette constraints, and you can go and buy a plain white dress at pretty much any boutique in town. However, remember that you're wearing just a white dress, and it may not look special enough to be your wedding gown.
