Wedding Dress For Less Than 500

Last Updated on September 19, 2021 by Guillermina

Today we’re going to be looking at how to buy a wedding dress for less than 500 dollars. Affordable wedding dresses may seem impossible to find but they’re actually easier to source than you may think. My wedding dress was only just over £500 (I’m a UK bride) and was a Disney Princess Alfred Angelo gown. It was meant to be almost £1500. Let’s have a look at how to get wedding dresses under $500.

There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to find more affordable wedding gowns. Here’s a round-up of some of my top suggestions for finding a gown that’s affordable and 100% you.

Table of Contents

Bridal Outlets

Bridal outlets are a great place to start if you’re looking for a wedding dress on a budget. They’re a wholesaler so they usually have some gorgeous designer dresses for a fraction of the price.

However, what you see is what you get with these dresses. If you find a size 10 on one of the racks, a size 10 may be the only size they have. They very rarely have different sizes and will not usually have someone who does in-store alterations for your dress, which is something to bear in mind.

They usually have accessories and shoes available too, so it’s easy to complete your outfit – at a fraction of the price. These dresses can start from as low as $100 and get significantly more expensive, depending on the gown you’re looking for.

Dresses from China

Ordering your dress from China is a great way to get a more affordable wedding dress. While the internet will have a plethora of options, it’s important to keep in mind a few key points if you decide to order your dress this way.

Check Reviews. The quality of the work done and fabrics the dress has been made with will vary from place to place. Reviews are a good way of checking how satisfied past customers are with their dresses and help you decide who to choose.
It May Look Different. They often show “best-case scenario” photos of the dress you’re ordering. If you’re happy that your dress may arrive not looking as “perfect” as the photos show, this is a great option.
Find Someone to Alter the Dress. Some people will be reluctant to alter dresses from China that are cheaply made. Make sure you find someone happy to make the alterations you need before you purchase the dress.

Discontinued Dresses

This is how I found my dream dress. It happened by sheer coincidence really! I knew I wanted the Alfred Angelo Disney Princess Jasmine dress and found a local stockist.

I tried on their sample gown and completely fell in love. After making a few calls, she told me she had good and bad news. The dress had been discontinued, but they had one size 10 remaining that they were selling for half the price!

If you’re looking for a dress and you find one about to go out of season, find a local stockist and see if they’re offering any discount rates, as it will be discontinued soon. This is such a great idea to find designer dresses, at an affordable price.

Sales

There’s a few times around the year where you’ll get the most for your money. After wedding season is over (Summer), dresses will plummet in prices – so check the sale racks in your local bridal boutique! They sell off old stock to make room for next year’s dresses. Also, keep an eye out on days like Black Friday – there will definitely be bargains to be had.

Online Stores

If you’re looking for a dress that comes with a reasonable price tag, it may be worth shopping online. While you won’t get the bridal boutique experience, shopping this way decreases the price massively. And there’s lots of shops that have the most gorgeous dresses, that would be perfect for your wedding day. Shops like Chi-Chi and ASOS are my favorites, and have quite an extensive bridal selection – most of which are well under $500 wedding dresses!

Marketplace or Charity Shops

If you’re open to the idea of buying your wedding dress secondhand, places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and even your local charity shop/thrift store is the perfect place to start. Charity shops are preferable as you can try the dress on before you buy and really get an idea of how it looks before you make the purchase.

Also, most people on Facebook Marketplace are happy to send additional photos or let you view the dress before you decide to purchase. And eBay usually offers a free returns service if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.

So however you’re wanting to purchase your secondhand gown, there’s definitely a way around it for everyone.

Learn more about Adding Rhinestones To A Wedding Dress

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you realize how easy it is to buy a wedding dress for under 500. I would strongly advise seeing a dress in person before you buy, especially if they do not offer a free returns service. However, I know some brides aren’t particularly fussy about their dress and how it looks, and just want it to be as affordable as possible.

As long as you’re happy with your dress, that is all that matters. Whether you want to look sexy, or pretty as a princess, there will be a dress out there for you for less than $500 – you just need to know where to start!

Was your wedding dress less than $500? If so, how much was it and where did you get yours from? Only share if you feel comfortable doing so. If you do, please feel free to post in the comments below. You may be helping out future brides with their dream dress.

No matter the cost of your wedding dress, your big day will be perfect. As long as you’re marrying your partner – that is the most important part of your wedding!