Planning a Wedding? Top Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Gown

When future brides begin to plan their weddings, of course one of the top items on the list is the wedding gown. Many women buy bridal gown magazines or do searches online, or visit their local bridal shops to look at what styles they might like. It is fun to decide what kind of gown you would like, however, as you plan your wedding, do not feel as if you need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a beautiful gown-you can get one for a lot less. Here are some of the top ways for budget-conscious brides-to-be to get a gorgeous gown without breaking the bank:

1. Sew your own wedding gown to save money. Obviously, this option is not for those of us whose sewing skills are limited to mending or sewing a button on a shirt, but some women are extremely gifted in sewing. If you plan to sew your own gown, one of the advantages is that you can take a pattern and add elements of style and design that are unique to you. Be sure to look for sales and coupons when you begin to shop for the fabrics, trims, and embellishments that you will use to design your masterpiece.

2. Borrow a wedding gown to save money. As the old saying goes ". . .something borrowed, something blue." Wedding gowns are only worn one time, so there is nothing wrong with borrowing a gown from a friend or acquaintance. Another thought is to borrow an heirloom gown from a mother or grandmother-a way to celebrate the beauty of love and marriage throughout the generations. Even if the wedding gown does not fit exactly, you can easily have it altered as long as the size difference is not too great.

3. Shop bridal clearance sales to save money on a wedding gown. Bridal shops are constantly marking down gowns from last season, making these available at a significant discount to the consumer. Remember, most if not all of those guests attending your wedding will never know if your wedding gown is from this season or last. The savings by buying a discounted gown can literally be hundreds of dollars.

4. Shop on eBay for a wedding gown. A quick eBay search reveals many new wedding gowns. You can search by size and style, to easily find what you are looking for. If you have never shopped on eBay, remember that EBay offers buyer protection if you pay through paypal, in case you do not receive what you were promised in the advertisement. This should give you a sense of confidence. Buying on eBay really opens up the possibilities to a wider variety of wedding gown styles.

Many couples take on debt to be able to have a nice wedding and reception. Do not spend money you do not have on a super-expensive wedding gown, when you could get one that is just as desirable for a more reasonable amount of money.