These days, a wedding gown can blow your entire budget. Always check bridal
stores for clearance gowns, but don't forget department stores. Dillards,
Foleys, and Nordstrom offer a diverse selection of evening gowns and special
occasion dresses. And be sure to visit consignment stores. Many specialize in
fine clothing and are stocked with gently-used designer garments. Consider
having your dress made. Often times it's cheaper to create an original than
buying from the store. Or get a bland white dress off the rack and transform it
into your dream gown through simple embellishments and modifications. Not only
is this cheaper, the best part is that you designed it!
When Shopping, Never Say "Wedding!"
Some final hints for budget-conscious brides and grooms: When calling around
for price quotes, don't mention the word "wedding". Vendors tend to take
advantage of frantic wedding planners, and they know that for many, cost is not
an issue. There's nothing wrong with not volunteering this information. It might
save you major bucks.
Also, realize the utility of the Internet. Websites like The Knot offer more
than helpful ideas, they also function as clearinghouses for all wedding-related
things. E-bay is another great resource for buying wedding supplies. Once
someone else's big day has come and gone, the newlyweds are anxious to unload
the very items they lost sleep over the past couple of months or even
years!