There's no question that your wedding ceremony will be one of the most important days of your lives. However, the wedding ceremony is merely an hour or so, and should be balanced along with the wedding reception, honeymoon and the first "flush" of marital life. Starting out your relationship with major economic problems is a bad idea. One of the best ways you can start saving on wedding expenses is by taking a careful look at the dress. Most people pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars, more than they can afford for an average to exquisite quality dress.
There's no doubt that a wedding dress makes for some fantastic pictures. However, ask yourself, what are the more striking features of wedding photos? It's the faces, the poses and the scenes of emotion. It's not about the costuming per say; the wedding dress is merely an accessory to the bride. The first consideration is whether you want to buy a new dress or rent a dress. Some couples have found that renting, or even borrowing a dress from friends or family, is not only less expensive but also has special sentimental value. Don't assume that wedding dresses cannot be changed or that you have to wear the gown just so. You could make some minor changes to give the dress your own personal touch, like changing the collar or the sleeves.
However, if your family doesn't have a wedding dress waiting in the closet then it may be time to buy a dress to preserve for future generations. One option is to shop for a dress from an online retailer. These stores can usually afford to discount products beyond the traditional discount you're likely to find at brick and mortar stores. For the best prices, try and shop in the off-season. Statistically speaking, most weddings happen in the late spring and early summer seasons. If you can afford to buy your dress in autumn or winter then you may be able find a better price. Some bridal stores may even be offering below-standard costs for bridal dresses because of the economic recession. Expert shoppers state that if you buy the wedding dress off the rack you can also expect a discount, which will be worth it even if you have some minor alterations to take care of.
Another option is to look for a pre-owned wedding dress through an auction site. This is where you can find some great deals on quality dresses that may not have any flaws, or only very minor flaws that can be fixed. Remember that in audition to popular online auctions you can also check local classified ads. You may have to compromise on the style of dress, if you find a quality piece at a fair price. Don't be so rigid in what you think you want that you cheat yourself out of a good deal; try and look for a general a style, not a particular design.
Can you "haggle" when dealing with bridal wear? Absolutely, especially if you're shopping in a local store, small store or mom & pop type shop. You could try and haggle at a major chain-store, but it's useless. On the other hand, small bridal stores are trying to make a profit and would let a dress go for a reasonable compromise. Assume they are trying to cover the cost of their expense for the dress and at least some profit. It might help to look up some information on wholesale dresses and retail dresses, so you know how much you should be paying for a dress.
These pointers can help you save on your wedding dress expenses and start your new marriage out in financial comfort.
By:Richard Adams
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