Blog

How much should you budget for buying your wedding dress be? Here is one of the questions most asked by brides!

We therefore thought we could provide guidance on what different pricepoints can offer you in terms of wedding dresses. It's always sensitive to talk about money, but it's so important to understand why gowns cost what they cost!

*Everything presented in this post represents the reality at our store, for dresses sold at full price and for new dresses (not sample or rented dresses), designer gowns impossible to buy directly on the Internet, therefore original designs and not copies cheaply made. *

Let's start with a budget of $1000 or less. This is probably the budget that many people have in mind: when you think about it, $1000 for a day is a lot of money! Before we begin, it is essential to understand that the cost of the dress is directly linked to the choice and quantity of fabrics needed to make the dress. Longer train = more fabric = more expensive dress. It makes sense, right?

$1000 and less wedding dresses will have:

• A short train or no train
• A quality lace with standard, less sought-after patterns and fabrics.
• A skirt whose quality may have certain weaknesses (more likely to be transparent, fewer layers of tulle, stiff fabric, non-stretchable fabric for a fitted dress, etc.)
• A minimal structure: “pads” for the bust, a less substantial construction, which does not allow an open-back dress to fit perfectly, for example. This explains why dresses at this price often have a closed or V-shaped back, but not a totally open or plunging back.
• Very visible sequins, evenly distributed throughout the pattern and industrially glued.
• Only one color option (ivory on ivory only, instead of champagne lining or colored lining with ivory lace overlay) and the size range will be more limited (size 4 to 16, for example).
• Will not have sleeves (most of them have straps or are strapless).
• little attention paid to comfort (sometimes rough, shiny fabrics which can scratch or irritate the skin)

From $1500 to $2500:

• The dresses have good structure: bust support, boning and corseting to keep everything in place, finishing buttons, etc.
• The skirts have movement and are airy for A cuts.
• The fabrics are stretchy and comfortable for sheet dresses or fitted gowns.
• The bead work is hand finished, is chosenly placed on the gown and delicate on the dress.
• The dresses are offered in multiple color options, for example, champagne lining and ivory lace over it, rather than having lining and lace the same color.
• Dresses are available in all sizes, from 0 to 34 (or equivalent, depending on the designer).
• It is in this price range that we find the most long-sleeved dresses since the quality of the construction and design of the dress allows it to hold well, be comfortable and integrate well with the design complete garment.

From $2500 to $4500:

• Starting at $2500, the doors open to our entire Blanc de Blancs collection. More silhouettes and choice of materials.
• The dresses have a more unique design (unique type of lace, longer train with detailing, quality of fabric, beading, high quality embroidery, more color options, longer train, etc.).
• Open back/ low plunge back, given the impeccable construction of the dress.
• There can be more beading and it is perfectly curated for the design. Or there is no beading and it is the type of lace or quality of crepe, mikado, satin or chiffon that makes the look. Less is more!

Obviously, the price is also influenced by the brand, i.e. the name of the designer. With us, the choice of our collections is not based on the brand, but on the quality/price ratio, on what our customers are looking for and on the style of the dress. We always tell ourselves that if we have to justify the price of the dress, it does not deserve its place in our selection. The dress must “sell” itself, you must look at it, touch it or try it on and immediately see its value.

Finally, a fully beaded ballgown with lace can cost half the price of a fitted dress without lace or beading. The construction, fabric and know-how required by each design is unique. The key is to know what is important to us when shopping and to set a realistic budget for what we have in mind. Beware of Pinterest which puts expectations in our heads that are difficult to achieve: most of the images are cheap replicas of designs by recognized designers, so it is not reality. And please, avoid ordering your dress on the Internet!

Live the experience in store and be sure of your purchase: an online “gamble” can be expensive (alterations, sizing way off, cheap fabric with no way to salvage the dress, etc.) and the result is uncertain or deceiving in most cases.

Support local businesses and visit the shops in your area!

Happy shopping!

Justine