It’s your big day and you can do whatever you like, say what you like, and act how you like! You know you want to look your best on your big day but you don’t want to spend a ton and a half on your dress. Designer wedding dresses can be as much as $12,000… So how can you get the Pnina Tornai look without the price tag?
Set a Price
Before you start, set a “set in stone, solid price”. Make sure you don’t go over this price, no matter what. You’ve set this price for yourself as a goal and if you don’t find the perfect dress for you the first time you go out and look, that is ok! Just know that you are able to always go to another store or come back at a later time. Be sure that your consultant knows your price point and make sure that you specify if that includes alterations or not.
The Trunk Show
A trunk show? Buying wedding dresses out of someone’s trunk?? Uh, no! Certainly not! A trunk show is when designers have the opportunity to show off their new line or lines! Keep in mind this isn’t a sale as much as a discount. Often times this isn’t advertised so you’ll have to ask, but there is often times a discount offered if you book or purchase that day!
Year End Purge
Find out when your dress boutique or the shop you are thinking of going to will do their year end or season end purge. Sometimes certain dresses, styles, and designers will be on sale for a severely discounted price because they want to clear out for the new season!
Yard Sale Sites
Today, social media is a great way to stay connected to all things great. There is even a section on some social media site that allow you to share the items that you wish to sell. Search this section fiercely and maybe you’ll find the perfect dress for the perfect price!
Shop The Prom Dress Section
I got this tip from one of my friends trying to save money where she could. Most wedding boutiques have prom dress sections and certain dresses can come in a multitude of colors. Some of which come in white! How neat is this that you can actually afford an amazing dress, that looks and feels great on you without having to spend an arm and a leg.
Be Open Minded
Keep an open mind. You never know what you are going to find when you go searching for a dress you didn’t know you wanted. There may be a certain style or color that you’ll unexpectedly fall in love with! Heck, most of the time you go in with the expectation of a certain style being the one for you and you realize that, that certain style is completely wrong for you. Be open to all the possibilities!
Wanting a designer dress isn’t a sin. But the price tag surely is! No one should pay that much for a dress that they are going to wear for one day. Heck, that is some people’s entire wedding budget! Be smart about your purchase and you’ll be good to go! You’ll have an amazing dress to show off and money left over to spare! Good luck and happy planning!