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Even for those who DIY their weddings, getting married can cost a lot of money. The average cost of an Australian wedding in 2019 was a whopping $53,000 for the venue, catering, photography, and more. But out of all of the expenses associated with getting married, the biggest single-item spend is the wedding dress.
Brides are willing to part with a lot of money to get their dream wedding dress. The average bride shells out almost $2,500 for the dress alone and higher-end designers can charge as much as $6,000!
For budget-conscious women, that’s a lot of money – money that could go into other aspects of the wedding, the honeymoon, a new home, or starting a family. So if you’re looking to save money without compromising on beauty, check out our list of the top cheap wedding dresses for Melbourne brides below.
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Why Is Your Wedding Dress So Important?
Whether you prefer your wedding to be simple and casual or grand and luxurious, we can all agree that a wedding is one of the most important days in anyone’s life. It’s the start of a new chapter, a celebration of commitment, and a spectacle for love.
And whether or not you have a dream dress in mind, we can all agree that looking your best on such a special day is important. On your wedding, all eyes are on you, so it’s crucial that you feel good and look good too. Not to mention all of the pictures that will immortalise your ensemble forever!
Tips For Finding Affordable, Good Quality Wedding Dresses
Consider Non-Bridal Options
The moment you shop for “wedding dresses”, you can expect to pay a premium. Everyone from caterers to venues to florists charges more simply because it’s for a wedding. You can skip the “wedding tax” and opt for a standard (a.k.a. non-bridal) white evening dress.
Better yet, why not go completely non-traditional and get your dress in a colour other than white? Black wedding dresses have been en vogue ever since Vera Wang debuted the dark frocks on her 2012 runway. If you can’t quite commit to a black wedding dress, you can still achieve a radiant bride-like look with softer non-white colours like nude or blush.
Check Sample Sales And Designer Rentals
If you really, really want a designer dress but don’t have the budget for it, you still have a couple of options. First, you can wait for your local bridal outlet’s clearance sales. You can get big-name brands off the rack and at a discount if you keep an eye out.
Another way to get cheap bridal dresses is by renting them out instead of buying them. Some boutiques and online stores allow you to “hire” a dress for a few days. You don’t get to keep it of course, but let’s be realistic here – you’re only going to wear it once, so why drop thousands on a designer dress for keeps if you can rent the same gorgeous dress for a fraction of the cost?
Get A Custom-Made Dress From A Local Designer
Although the phrase “custom-made” usually translates into a higher price tag, that isn’t always the case, especially with local designers. Reach out to small sellers or browse through online markets like Etsy, and you could score some incredible deals on a one-of-a-kind, bespoke wedding dress.
Buy Secondhand
Tons of brides would be aghast at the suggestion of buying someone else’s wedding dress, but preloved dresses can save you a ton of money while also being the sustainable, eco-friendly choice. Plus, not all secondhand dresses are even used – if the engagement was called off, or if the bride decided to switch to another dress, they’ll often sell their brand-new dresses at a preloved price.
The Best Cheap Wedding Dresses In Melbourne
Lyra Two-Piece Wedding Dress Set
Price: $299
Shop/Designer: Always and Forever Bridal
Location: Collins St
The sale gowns section of Always and Forever Bridal is constantly being updated with new styles and lower prices.
Ivory With Maple Underlay Wedding Dress
Price: $699
Shop/Designer: Sophia Tolli
Location: Online
Find gorgeous (and affordable) preloved pieces for your wedding on Tradesy.
Donatella Wedding Dress
Price: Starts at $99
Shop/Designer: Miss Bella Bridal
Location: Boronia
Miss Bella Bridal’s regular line is already cheap, starting at $599. But their sale rack, which starts at less than a hundred dollars, takes “cheap wedding dresses in Melbourne” to a whole new level.
A-Line Princess Of The Shoulder Sweep Train Dress
Price: $316
Shop/Designer: JJ’s House
Location: Online
Online shop JJ’s House has an entire bridal section dedicated to gowns under $316, as well as hot weekly sales.
Augusta
Price: $1,399
Shop/Designer: Raffaele Ciuca
Location: Brunswick
Okay, technically it’s still a lot of money, but paying $1,400 for a designer gown that was originally twice the price is a steal!
Conclusion
Wedding dresses can be incredibly expensive, but you don’t have to buy into the hype. If you’re really committed to more budget-friendly options, it won’t be difficult finding an affordable wedding dress that you actually love. Just keep an eye out for sales, be patient, and keep an open mind. Your dream dress will be yours soon enough, and without going over budget too!
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