I love weddings! I love being part of your big day, but I also can’t get enough of the preparation period of wedding planning and consultations and dress fittings and all the excitement. I’ve dedicated a portion of this blog space to sharing tips for brides in the midst of wedding planning or even just getting a headstart on a future wedding down the road!

Today, I’d like to talk about something that can get a little stressful during the wedding planning but it doesn’t need to be: budgeting for your wedding dress. There are a lot of things to pay for in preparation for your wedding day, but the wedding dress is something present throughout the entire event and in all the pictures after the fact! It only seems fitting that you should choose a budget and a gown with care to make sure it fits in with the rest of the planning.

I’ve shared lots of tips from Bridget at The Bridal Studio lately and for good reason. Bridget has incredible insight into the wedding industry and wedding gown shopping. I’d like to share some of her thoughts on what you should budget for your wedding dress so that you can have an idea of what the process is and what additional expenses should be on your radar in relation to your bridal ensemble.

The Bridal Studio contains dresses in a $1,500 to $8,000 price range. All dresses are made by US designers, ethically sourced. The materials that make up the gown contribute greatly to the overall cost. For example, better fabrics cost more because they hold their shape better. But they’re also the better fabrics for a reason, so you kind of have to weigh the pros and cons of each as they pertain to you. Additionally, trimmings like beading and lace are expensive but exquisitely beautiful. It’s just totally up to you!

There are additional aspects of your completed bridal ensemble that you should factor into your budget, like accessories. Bridget suggests budgeting about $20-$1,000 for accessories, depending on what your style is or what accessories you want.

Another consideration is the alterations made to your gown. Dresses are consistently made for someone 5’10, so any hemming or added bustle will be an additional cost to take into consideration. Many brides may also need to adjust the height of the shoulder straps or take in the sides. Expect to spend around $250-$650 for a quality seamstress. Bridget also recommends that these changes should be made around 2 months prior to the wedding. If you complete alterations too far beforehand, you may lose or add too much weight.

Bridget recommends getting your wedding gown alterations done by a professional rather than a friend who quilts and sometimes dabbles in sewing clothes. You can tell a difference in the quality of work and this is one day of your life where your outfit is definitely going to be noticed.

You should begin dress shopping as early as you can, especially for a short engagement. Some dresses can take about 4-6 months to be ready once they’re ordered, plus the two months needed for alterations. Start dress shopping around 8-10 months before the wedding if you can. The seamstress who does your alterations can’t read your mind, so you’ll need to be clear to communicate exactly what you want!

I can’t wait to see you in your wedding gown! I hope I get to be the one who spends your big day documenting all the love in your beautiful wedding dress.