After the excitement of sharing the big news with family and friends, wedding dresses are most likely the first thing you’ll gravitate towards when it comes to planning your wedding. And who can blame you? In most cases, it’s the most expensive dress you’ll ever own, so you want to get the look (and budget) right from the get go.
According to a survey* conducted by Wedded Wonderland, Aussie brides are spending on average $4,200 on a wedding dress. That makes wedding gowns one of the biggest hits to the wedding budget – after the venue – when it comes to the cost of an average wedding.
Image: A Glamorous Marquee Wedding Photography: Ela Studios
”Brides have doubled their average budget on their wedding dress, which isn’t surprising considering the rising trend of unique and designed wedding dresses on Social Media, as well as the opportunity to purchase a wedding dress from designers around the world,” says Wendy El-Khoury, Director of Wedded Wonderland.
The survey also revealed brides such as Nicole Valentine Don – who purchased a designer/ready made wedding dress and embellished it with 3D elements including beads and dyed flowers – are more common than not.
“Brides want something a little unique for their day, many are opting for designer/ready to wear gowns, and adding their own little signature twist whether it be a custom veil, cape or crown,” adds El-Khoury.
Image: Why These Brides Chose Floral Over White Photography: Jeremy Greive
How can brides make the most of every dollar? Your best bet is keeping an eye out for designer sample sales, or scan sites such as Still White, Gumtree, and eBay, which allow brides to on-sell their dresses, and brides-to-be to be to source their dream gowns direct from the bride for less.
Image: A Beautiful Wedding at the Botanic Gardens Photography: Milenko Weddings
Title Image: An Opulent Wedding in Rose Bay
Photography: Paper Cranes
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Wedding dress prices vary widely, so it helps to set a realistic figure early and build in a little room. Beyond the gown itself, plan for additional costs such as alterations, a veil or accessories, and cleaning or preservation afterward. A designer gown from a bridal boutique will sit at the higher end, while sample sales, off-the-rack styles and trunk shows can bring the average price down without sacrificing the look you love. Decide what matters most to you, whether that is the designer, the fabric or the fit, and let that guide where your wedding budget goes.
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