How much should I spend on a wedding dress?

There's no right answer, but a useful framework: spend what you can afford without debt, and factor in alterations (typically $200-$600) when calculating total cost. A $500 dress with $400 in alterations costs $900 — often comparable to a $900 dress that needs minimal alteration.

Where can I find affordable wedding dresses?

Sample sales at bridal boutiques, consignment shops (Still White, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com), BHLDN (Anthropologie's bridal line), Azazie, and off-the-rack options at David's Bridal. All offer significant savings over traditional bridal boutique pricing.

The Wedding Dress Budget: What to Spend, What to Skip

The Dress Math

The average wedding dress costs $1,800, according to The Knot's Real Weddings Study. Add alterations ($200-$600), accessories ($200-$500), and shoes ($100-$300), and you're at $2,300-$3,200 for what you wear for one day.

That's not a judgment. That's a number. Decide if it's the right number for you.

Where to Find Alternatives

Here's what actually works for finding a beautiful dress at a fraction of the price:

Sample sales. Bridal boutiques hold sample sales 2-4 times per year to clear floor samples. These are the same dresses that retail for $1,500-$3,000, marked down to $200-$600. They may need cleaning and minor alterations. Worth it.

Consignment. Still White and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com are the two largest online consignment platforms for wedding dresses. You can find designer dresses for 30-50% of retail. The dress has been worn once, professionally cleaned, and is in excellent condition.

BHLDN (Anthropologie's bridal line). Beautiful, well-made dresses at $300-$800. Not discounted — this is their actual price point. The quality is excellent.

Azazie. Made-to-measure dresses at $200-$500. The quality varies, but the price-to-quality ratio is strong for simple styles.

The Alterations Reality

Let me be straight with you: almost every wedding dress needs alterations. Budget $200-$600 regardless of where you buy. A $300 dress that needs $400 in alterations costs $700 total. Factor this in from the start.

Find an alterations specialist (not the boutique's in-house seamstress, who typically charges 30-50% more) and get a quote before you commit to a dress.

What to Skip

Dress preservation: $200-$400 to box a dress you'll likely never wear again. Skip it.
Bridal boutique accessories: Veils, belts, and jewelry at bridal boutiques are marked up 200-400%. Buy them elsewhere.
Multiple fittings beyond what's necessary: Two fittings are standard. Three or more may indicate the alterations specialist isn't competent.

Conscious Wedding Library

Bridal Bargains by Denise & Alan Fields (paid link)
A Practical Wedding by Meg Keene (paid link)
The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner (paid link)

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The Dress Math

Where to Find Alternatives

The Alterations Reality

What to Skip

Conscious Wedding Library

Frequently Asked Questions