A couture gown isn't the only way to go when you are looking for the wedding dress of your dreams. Put your mind to it and there are loads of ways you can look incredible without breaking the bank.
1. Sample sales
If you've got your heart set on a designer dress then the only way you are going to bring the price down is by finding it in a sample sale. Either that or actually buying the sample dress itself. Most bridal boutiques will let you buy a dress half price. But the best bargains will always be found at places that sell off last season's stock. Keep your eyes peeled for sales around January, early springtime and late autumn.
2. Pre-worn
Well we are living in hard times and brides are extremely resourceful creatures. There are plenty of sites selling second-hand wedding dresses. Just make sure you check for dirt and damage before parting with your hard-earned cash.
3. Off The Peg
Not surprisingly the best place to discover a bargain is on the high street. There are some fantastic dresses in the shops priced at anywhere up to £400: Debenhams, Monsoon and BHS are just a few that stock collections aiming to impress brides with a variety of shapes and designs. The quality of the material won't match a couture design, but who is going to know?
4. All For A Good Cause
Mary Portas will tell you that charity shops are emporiums and she'd be right. Often charity shops are filled with vintage and designer cast-offs. If you are going to seriously consider this as an option then best to target shops in a more affluent area to ensure a better quality of second-hand dresses. You never know though, you could pick up the dress of your dreams along with a thrifty bag and some lovely shoes.
5. DIY
The art of dress making isn't completely dead. And making your own wedding dress sounds like a lovely idea. If you are handy with a sewing machine, then why not? Find some material that you love and go for it.