Shopping for a wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding for a bride-to-be. However, as you check different wedding dresses, it wouldn't be a surprise to experience sticker shock as soon as the price tag comes into view.
This makes many ask, why are wedding dresses so expensive? If you find yourself asking the same question, our article is here to provide you with the answers. We will cover the main reasons why wedding dresses are expensive and share some of our tips for saving money. Read on to find out the truth behind the cost of wedding dresses.
Why Are Wedding Dresses So Expensive – 4 Main Reasons
There isn't just one reason that explains why wedding dresses are so expensive – multiple factors come into play, driving the cost of a wedding dress higher. Here are four of the biggest reasons why a wedding dress is a significant expense for brides.
Materials
The materials that go into crafting a wedding dress are one of the main reasons why they cost a lot of money. A standard wedding dress is typically made from materials like silk, tulle, and lace.
These common wedding dress materials are expensive, especially when the dress uses high-quality materials. Some wedding dress collections might even include handmade elements that further drive up the total cost.
Craftsmanship
The labor and craftsmanship a wedding dress requires are often overlooked. A high-quality wedding dress is usually hand-sewn and can take hours to craft. The intricate details that go into it, hand-placed beads, patterns, tiny stitches, and so on, require craftsmanship that takes years to master.
To give you a better perspective on these, a wedding dress can take about a week to make. In comparison to regular dresses, which can be made in just a few hours or less, wedding dresses are much more labor-intensive.
Perfectionism
Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime event for many. Naturally, people want everything related to their wedding to be perfect. Since all eyes will be on the bride, the wedding dress is one element that brides naturally want to get every detail done perfectly.
Coupled with the cost of craftsmanship, this desire for perfection often leads to very high prices – justifying why wedding dresses are so expensive.
The Wedding Tax
Last but not least, there is of course the wedding tax. It affects pretty much anything wedding-related, from the venue to catering to what you're going to wear on this one-of-a-kind occasion.
While it might seem like sellers are taking advantage of you at first, the expectations for everything to be perfect comes at a higher cost due in part to the pressure involved. This not only applies to the wedding dress, but pretty much everything for the wedding.
How to Save Money When Shopping for a Wedding Dress
Wedding dresses are undoubtedly expensive, but there are ways to save money. Here are some of our tips on how you can save on the cost of your wedding dress.
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Set a Budget: Before you start shopping for your wedding dress, set a budget that's comfortable and realistic. Stick to it and inform your stylist or the salespeople you meet in shops. If shopping online, filter your search to only see the dresses within your budget.
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Consider Sample Dresses: Shops that sell wedding dresses often have sample dresses that can go for half the retail price, sometimes even less. If you're budgeting but want something more expensive, sample dresses can help you get the dress you want at a much cheaper price.
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Alterations: If you want your wedding dress to be cost-effective but still want a great fit, consider buying an affordable wedding dress and tailor it to get the perfect fit.
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Shop Online: Those who know their measurements should shop online from reputable sites like Sherri Hill to save money on their wedding dress.
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Go Non-Traditional: Dresses that aren't labeled "wedding dresses" but appear similar like white prom dresses and evening gowns can be a great non-traditional alternative and will cost significantly less.
Why Are Wedding Dresses So Expensive: Conclusion
Wedding dresses are expensive – there's no doubt about that. However, you now know the reasons why wedding dresses are so expensive, from the materials that go into crafting one to the wedding tax that comes with everything wedding-related.
If the typical cost of a wedding dress was unexpected when you found out and now you're trying to save money, review our tips above to save money when shopping for your wedding dress. By following our tips, you will save a considerable amount of money, which can then be used for other wedding costs.