Don’t think that buying an off-the-peg wedding dress means you can’t get an amazing gown! Buying off the peg wedding dresses can be a great way to save money without forgoing quality.
So, if your heart is set on a designer wedding dress that you simply can't afford, don't panic! We are here to tell you all about how to find your dream dress on a budget.
Sample Sales
A wedding dress sample sale is when a bridal boutique or designer sells their gowns at huge discounts! These dresses might be last seasons gowns, overstocked or returned items or dresses which were simply unpopular. There might occasionally be a small mark on the dresses, but on the whole, they’ll be in perfect condition. As these are sample sizes, you'll realistically need some alternations. But, even with this cost, your wedding dress will still come to much less than a full-price designer gown!
We would suggest following your favourite designers on social media so you can be up to date with any upcoming sample sale dates. Try to research what you want before you go. While you'd do this anyway, sample sales can be hectic so you'll get the most out of it if you know what dress you’re interested in. Also, be prepared to buy at the sale. Sample sales mean quick decisions; you don’t want your dream dress to slip through your fingers! It is also a good idea to know how payment and alterations will work. For example, do you have to pay in full and take the dress straight away? Will the boutique arrange your alterations? To get your dream sample sale wedding dress, you'll have to be organised and efficient!
Buying second-hand
If searching the sample sales isn't working out for you, there are other options for off the peg wedding dresses! Nowadays, with sustainability on everyone’s minds, many brides are turning to pre-loved wedding dresses to cut costs and their ecological footprint. For example, in the last year alone, global search platform Lyst found that there has been a 93% increase in views of pre-owned wedding dresses, and a 42% combined increase for related searches using terms such as 'vintage' and 'second hand'.
Just as with buying a sample dress, this does not mean forgoing quality! There are many professional sites that specialise in second-hand wedding dresses, so their suitability and has already been checked for you. You can even buy excellent second-hand dresses from charity organisations! For example, Oxfam has both an online store and several specialist bridal stores around the UK. Again, with only the alteration price on top, these are perfect wedding dress options for a bride on a budget.
Most importantly, buying off the peg does not mean you don't have a 'proper' wedding dress. If you don't tell anyone, nobody will be able to guess what you spent or where you bought it. So, don't feel pressured and budget for what you can afford! All that matters is if you love your wedding dress and couldn't imagine wearing anything else, no matter where you got it.
