This module explores the average costs of a wedding gown and accessories, so you can better plan your budget, and gives you an overview of what will be covered under this topic.
The following article is an example of the content we have in our online wedding planning membership site HappyWeddings.ca under the heading of Wedding Gown. To learn more and get useful wedding planning tools for FREE click here!
For many brides, the wedding gown is the central piece of the wedding. Almost as many brides are more pragmatic, and are happy with a ‘nice dress’ without the big price tag. More and more environmentally friendly brides are joining their fiancé in renting their wedding attire, instead of purchasing it. Just what do you do with that gown afterwards anyway? It is not the most recyclable item in the world. And then there is the ‘slightly used’ category of wedding dress—resold on e-bay, or upscale second-hand stores. Sometimes you can get a brand new dress from a bride who cancelled her wedding at a fraction of the original price.
So let’s explore what a wedding gown can cost you. Wedding industry estimates tell us that in 2008, the average cost of a wedding gown and accessories was $1,532, and the average price does not fluctuate much from year to year. The gown averaged $1,025, the headpiece/veil averaged $167, and alternations and accessories averaged $340. Accessories include things like shoes, stockings, and underwear. Sometimes, the crinoline is rented, and it is the Maid of Honour’s responsibility to return it on time when the bride goes on her honeymoon after the wedding. If the bride chooses to rent her gown, the Maid of Honour will return it, on time and in good condition, while the bride leaves for her honeymoon.
You can purchase a lovely wedding gown starting at around $250, and the price can go upwards of $10,000. In fact, the only limit is your budget. If you consider the cost of shoes, and accessories, the average dress costs around $1,000, taxes included. There are many beautiful dresses available in the $500 range. The average cost of wedding attire for both the bride and groom is about 7% of your total wedding budget, or around $1,700. Balance what you love with what is in your budget. It is easy to stay within your budget and still have the wedding of your dreams. It just needs a little time to source out options, and some creative planning.
In the following videos, you will learn all the ins and outs of purchasing a wedding dress, and our cost saving tips will help you find the perfect dress at the perfect price for you. If you are paying full price for a wedding dress, you are not going about this properly. Always price shop! You CAN get the same dress at a lower price elsewhere, and we will show you how to find it.
When you go shopping for your wedding gown, take only one person with you. This person should have good taste in clothing, know how to put a look together, and respect your budget. Having too many people with conflicting ideas helping you find your dress will just make your shopping more complicated. This is not rocket science—you are just buying a dress, albeit a lovely, beautiful, expensive and stunning dress.