Finding your perfect dress can be a struggle if you don’t have a cap set for how much money you are able to spend in that area. First, set the budget! From there, follow the guidelines we have listed below so you can find your ideal wedding dress without the risk of overspending.

Don’t try on the most expensive dresses first. Start with the cheaper of the selection when trying on dresses. This way, you won’t be discouraged and convincing yourself that the more expensive dress is better quality over the less expensive dress. You’d be shocked with how much of this is only in our minds! Granted, this is not true for all dresses, but working up is much better than working down.

After you find the one, don’t keep looking. After you find the dress that you know is the one, don’t continue to shop for another. If you find a beautiful dress that is within your price range and you absolutely love it, don’t try on a more expensive dress just for kicks. Commit to your decision! If you’re unsure about the dress you’re thinking of committing to, by all means keep looking.

Consignment boutiques. Wedding dresses are traditionally only worn once for a couple of hours, then completely discarded. There are a plethora of shops that take these dresses and repurpose them for other brides at a lower cost, making sure all gowns are in mint condition for resale. They also have dresses that have never been worn but are 1-2 years old that and also discounted. This is a wonderful option if you’re looking for Designer style at an affordable price. One of our favorite shops is Blue Sky Bridal in Greenwood, WA!

Avoid expectations. Do you have your eye on a specific dress you saw in a magazine? Don’t exhaust yourself trying to find the exact same dress. Instead, go into shopping for your dress with an open mind and heart. Dresses featured in magazines are usually Designer and extremely expensive, as they are featured straight off the runway. Keep the design and style in mind, but let yourself be free to the idea that you may end up falling for an even lovelier dress.

Dress shopping is often the most exciting part of prepping for your wedding. It also can be the most stressful when trying to stick to your budget, but with these guidelines, you may be able to find the gown that’s best for you without all the inner conflict! Good luck!