How to be savvy when buying bridal wear

Trying to fund a wedding can get expensive. The reception, the ceremony, the cars, the food, the hen night, the honeymoon, not to mention the most important thing – the wedding dress.

It’s not just the wedding dress either – the whole bridal wear can add up to a huge amount of money for things you may never wear again. Bridal dresses languish at the back of many a wardrobe the world over, and white bridal shoes are never going to be a good look with your jeans and jumper, shopping in Tescos.

How to get a bargain

Like booking a holiday, there are 2 ways to approach getting a bargain wedding dress. Plan well in advance or shop like mad out of season. If you plan your wedding military style in advance, you can have family members and friends on the lookout for bridal wear. Sales, promotions, damaged boxed items will all have substantial discounts – it is just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

Out of season bridal wear

Bridal shops will have big sales on bridal wear and in particular bridal dresses in the winter months. If you trawl around a few local bridal shops, you will pick up a bargain dress for a fraction of the price. Some bridal dresses can have discounts of 50% or more in January. If you pick one with a second hand section, you will get a lovely designer dress cheaper than usual. Most wedding dresses will have only been worn once so they won’t be well used.

It isn’t just bridal shops that have bargains

Online retailers have lower overheads and therefore cheaper costs. Items can be cheaper online than in the shops but remember to ask lots of questions about the item as you cannot physically see it, and check their returns policy in case it is not want you wanted. Ebay is a great place to pick up local second hand items.

Prom dresses

Prom dresses are so ornate and luxurious, some can make fabulous wedding dresses. Alternatively they could make lovely bridesmaid dresses at a fraction of the price.