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How to save money on a wedding dressDid you know most brides spend about 10% of their entire wedding budget on their bridal ensemble?

That’s a lot no matter what you plan to spend, but the smaller your budget is, the harder it gets to find a dress that is both dreamy and affordable – that’s why you need to know how to save money on a wedding dress.

Yes, you can hit the trunk shows. Yes, you can buy used dresses. These are great ideas than can save you a bundle, but for you Alternative Brides, we thought you might be interested in getting a little more creative.

Top 5 Tips for How to Save Money on a Wedding Dress:

1. Scope out bridesmaid dresses. It’s no secret that bridesmaid dresses are far less expensive than bridal gowns. While I was shopping online for my bridesmaids, I couldn’t help but notice how similar some bridesmaid styles were to my actual wedding gown – minus the hefty price tag. If you’re after a relatively simple style of wedding gown, scope out your favorite designers’ bridesmaid dresses in a more “bridal” color. You might just stumble on the perfect gown at a perfect price.

2. Go online. When it comes to online cheap wedding dresses, many brides are understandably skeptical about buying something as important as a wedding gown over the Internet. Yes, there are some scams out there, but there are also a number of super-reputable companies that can get you a brand-new gown straight from the designer for hundreds less.

A good online cheap wedding dresses seller will have customer service staff and return policies on par with any physical retailer and, yes, they will be authorized to sell the designers they carry. You should still try on the gown you’ve fallen for in a brick-and-mortar boutique (and make sure to get measured to find your proper size!), but you can save a bundle by ordering the exact same dress online.

3. Negotiate. Many bridal stores – both online and off – will tell you they aren’t permitted to go any lower on their prices because the designer sets them. This is only partially true. Yes, the designer sets the minimum sell-price, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a little wiggle room.

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Before you hand over your deposit, get quotes from at least three different retailers. Then, ask the higher-priced sellers if they’d be interested in beating the lowest quote you received. When they do, go back to the initial lowest bid and ask if they’ll go lower. Repeat as necessary. You can often save at least 5% just by firing off a few emails.

4. Don’t go ga-ga for designer labels. It’s funny how bridal magazines “inspire” you in the direction of the most expensive dresses ever made. Yes, they’re gorgeous, but many less-pricey designers have made their livelihood recreating the gowns that budget-savvy brides couldn’t possibly afford otherwise. You’ll have a better chance of saving a bit of cash if you’re willing to be flexible on whose name is written on the label.

On a similar note, don’t forget about seamstresses. Sometimes they can copy a designer dress for much less (although just like bridal shops, some seamstresses overcharge, so do your homework first).

5. Think beyond the dress. There’s a lot that goes into your bridal look: shoes, undergarments, the veil, jewelry, makeup, hair, manicures, spa treatments, bouquet… you get the idea. If you can’t get your dress any cheaper (and even if you can!), ask yourself, “What else can I save on?”

The first veil I ever saw in a shop was $340 and it was literally a piece of tulle sewn to a metallic, rhinestone-studded comb. Talk about a DIY project waiting to happen! Or take advantage of your right to “something borrowed” and get your jewelry gratis. Think creatively and you could be wearing your dream ensemble for a down-to-earth price tag.

Got more tips on how to score a killer dress on a tight budget? Share with us!

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