We’ll start with the most difficult item to reduce cost; the wedding dress.  Let’s face it, for some brides, the dress we choose is the most integral part of our wedding.  I actually planned my wedding around my dress. This is usually the most costly part of a wedding budget.

The best place to start lowering the cost of your wedding dress is on the Internet.  If you know the style number of your dress, and the designer you’re in luck.  A simple search on Google will produce numerous websites which sell the dress. you can then browse each of those websites and see who is selling your dress for less. If you’re unlucky, like I was, you’ll only have an idea of what you won your dress to look like.  If this is the case, you can browse the numerous websites dedicated to bridal wear.  I recommend The Knot.

The Internet is not the only place you can save money on your gown, a great place to save money on your wedding is with a seamstress.  Using a specialty dressmaker has the bonus of experience,  however, it also has a higher price.

There are tons of other ways to save money on your dress.  You can rent a bridal gown, share a bridal gown (advertise for bride-to-be, who will share the dress with you), or you can find a used wedding gown on Craig’s list and other used gown websites.

Remember that wedding gowns do not have to be white, ivory or pink.  Wedding gowns can be red, blue, purple or any other color you want.  Wedding gowns don’t even have to be wedding gowns, you can use a suit or even a prom dress.

One last thing, my friend recently rented her wedding dress at a local costume shop.

Stay tuned for my next blog about saving money on the reception.  Specifically, booze and food. Meanwhile you can check out an interesting link on Spring wedding favors