Buy a Wedding Dress for Less

Few women wear a wedding dress more than once, so consider borrowing a friend or relative’s dress. While it's technically used, it will be brand new to you. If your mother or grandmother have a marriage you admire, it can be wonderfully sentimental to wear the same dress on your special day.

Consignment stores often carry wedding dresses in excellent shape — sometimes the tags are still attached. Designer dresses that might cost more than $1,000 can be purchased for less than $100.

Browse the online stores for gently used dresses. Check eBay and Craigslist. Before you purchase a dress, find out if the seller accepts returns. If you can, try on a similar dresses in a store before ordering online. Just because you love how the dress looks on a model doesn’t mean you’ll like how it looks on you.

If you're set on a new dress, consider taking part of a used item — such as the lace from your mother’s dress or her veil — and having it added to a dress you buy or have made. Find a seamstress who is accomplished with bridal gowns, however, as the materials and time can be costly. Ask married friends to recommend a good seamstress, or consult with a bridal boutique to see who they recommend.

No one says you have to wear an actual “wedding dress” to get married. There are lovely white-, ivory- and cream-colored formals that aren’t technically wedding dresses but that will look great on your big day.

Maybe you’re getting married at the beach, on a ship, at a resort, or in an informal back yard celebration. If so, you may want the dress to reflect the setting. A cotton or silk sundress will work beautifully. Or, for daytime nuptials, look for a sophisticated white wool skirt suit.

No one says your wedding dress must be white. Some brides choose pastel shades, others lean toward rich reds and purples and still others are perfectly comfortable in black. It’s your day, and you should wear what makes you feel beautiful.

Many of these same shopping tactics will work for veils, jewelry, shoes, purses, wraps and whatever else you need to complement your wedding dress. Accessories can also be the perfect way to embrace the “something old, something new, some borrowed and something blue” tradition.

Accessories sold in bridal stores are typically expensive, so shop around. Department stores, second-hand shops and even big box stores often have perfectly appropriate costume jewelry, purses, shoes and wraps at a fraction of bridal-store prices. Don’t get lulled into the convenience of the bridal store experience and overspend.

Regardless of the dress you choose, proper care after the wedding day will ensure it is preserved for years to come; maybe your daughter or granddaughter will wear it on her wedding day.

No matter how careful you are, the dress will endure a lot of wear and tear on your wedding day: Hugs can leave makeup stains; dirt and dust may gather at the hem; and food and drinks may spill. Because some stains, such as sweat and alcohol, won’t show up until later, don't wait long to have the dress cleaned, and to use a reputable cleaner that specializes in wedding dresses.

When it comes to storing the dress, know that even if it’s folded carefully in an acid-free box, the garment will crease over time. For this reason, it may be wiser to hang the dress. Use a padded hanger, and don’t store the dress in a plastic bag. Use a breathable material such as muslin or acid-free paper to cover the dress. Stuff the bodice and sleeves with acid-free paper to help keep its shape. Hang in a cool, dry closet.

Check the dress once a year to make sure there’s no damage like holes or moths. If the gown is boxed, refold it to avoid creases; if it’s hanging, wash the muslin dress bag to keep everything fresh.