How much does a wedding dress cost?

The options are endless when it comes to what you can wear on your wedding day. Therefore, there is an option for every budget. Most brides will spend between $2,000 to $3,000 for a ready-to-wear gown, and brides spend upwards of $4,000 for a couture gown. 

How do I set a budget for wedding dress shopping?

Wedding dress shopping is made easier when you have a budget in mind. Generally, having a range that you feel comfortable with is best because it makes it easier for your bridal stylist to pick dresses to show you. After all, you don’t want to fall in love with a gown that is outside of your budget. 

The budget you set for your wedding dress will differ depending on how much value you place on it. If it is really important to you, you should allocate a larger part of your wedding budget than if you don’t mind. 

Who normally pays for a wedding dress?

In the past, the bride’s family (usually her father) was responsible for paying for the wedding dress and any expenses related to this, such as fittings, shoes and the veil. However, it has become more normal for the bride to pay or pay from a joint wedding account in recent years. 

Some parents may have dreamed about purchasing their daughter's wedding dress since she was a little girl and will pay for the entire dress however, if your parents are paying, you may have to take their opinions into consideration when choosing your wedding dress. Also, be mindful that the budget you have set for your dress may be larger than your parents’, so discussing it before you assume everything is important.

So, how much does a wedding dress cost?

The short answer? It depends!

Material

The cost of your dress will differ depending on which material it is made from. Expensive wedding dress materials include lace, silk and anything beaded or embroidered. Synthetic materials like taffeta, chiffon or crepe tend to cost less.

Designer

Some wedding dresses attract a premium price because of the popularity of the designer. Some brides want to have a particular designer create their gown, but there could be an instance where the actual design of the gown might not be what the bride wants. Remember that you will be wearing the gown, not the designer, so do not settle on your gown. 

Did you know? The most expensive wedding dress in the world was the Angelababy Wedding Dress, priced at $31 million, closely followed by The Diamond Wedding Dress, which was a stunning $12 million.

Intricate designs

If you’re seeking a beaded or embroidered dress, the more you can expect to pay as often these elements are hand-sewn and take a lot of time to put together. A plain wedding gown takes significantly less effort to produce than one with these elements, so you can expect to pay more for something elaborate.  

Going for a custom gown

If you are trying to find the perfect dress to suit your budget, then working with a custom wedding dress designer like Bernadette is a perfect solution. Before you find yourself spending more than you would have wished for on a less-than-perfect dress, consider the positives of choosing a custom wedding gown.

If you’re looking for a custom wedding dress in Melbourne, get in touch with Bernadette Pimenta Couture to see how she can make your dream wedding dress come to life.

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