Choice One: Be A Part of History.

It was the dress of my dreams. A $6,000 exquisite hand beaded wedding gown made by a top designer. I tried it on and instantly fell in love. Without hesitation, I handed my credit card over to the sales clerk. There was no guilt, no thinking twice about such a monumental purchase. That’s because I paid only $99 for this amazing couture gown.

I found my dress at Filenes Basement in Boston. The now world famous yearly event, got its start back in 1947. We have all heard of “The Running of The Bulls” in Spain. This wedding dress sale is appropriately called “The Running of The Brides.” It is definitely not the relaxing, have a cup of tea, bridal store experience. Instead hundreds of brides-to- be line up outside the stores at daybreak. Once the doors open, the racks are stripped within a minute. Then the trading and bartering begins. If you can withstand the stampede, you might even find yourself enjoying the experience and leaving with an amazing deal. According to the Filenes Basement website the gowns now sell for between $249 and $699. Upcoming Filenes Basement bridal sales are scheduled for February and March in New York, Boston, Paramus New Jersey, Atlanta and Columbus Ohio.

You Can’t Rent a Groom, But You Can Rent a Dress:

The Filenes sale is just one ways to find an affordable and gorgeous gown for your big day. The key is to be creative and look outside the box. Another great option is to rent your wedding dress.

Kim Grayston operates Rentabridalgown.com in Modesto California. A recent bride herself, she formed her company after she advertised her own wedding gown for rent. It was an effort to recoup some wedding expenses, and the response was overwhelming. The California bride knew she was onto something.

Grayston’s Modesto store now has nearly 500 gowns in stock including bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses. The wedding gowns rent anywhere from $250 to 600 dollars. Brides must come into the store to select their dresses. A seamstress works on site and alterations run anywhere from $45 to $150. “My store looks like any other bridal shop. The experience and the service is no different,” says Grayston.

The trend is catching on. Many other bridal stores across the country have begun renting gowns as well. One bride Melissa, wrote a testimony on the Rentalbridalgown.com website. “Nobody would have ever known my dress was rented, that is how beautiful it looked! “
Hit the Internet. Let Your Fingers Do The Talking.

There are many other options for brides on a budget. Why not turn to the Internet and find a gown on EBAY? I came across a Chiffon long sleeve made to order gown listed on EBay. The starting bid, one penny! An A line exquisite wedding dress adorned with lace was selling for $40 dollars. Shipping fees however can run 100 to 200 hundred dollars. Still, there comes a risk with buying a gown sight unseen. While there are many positive comments on EBay, you will find plenty of unsatisfied brides.

Jeff Liu is a top seller of wedding gowns on EBAY. His company April Bridal is located in Shanghi China. EBay has given Liu a 98.5% positive rating. On the Internet marketplace, his gowns start as little as a few dollars excluding shipping costs. Via email Liu responded to my questions stating he can “sell the gowns at a severe discount because my costs are low.” For brides this might be a great deal, but it is also a leap of faith. You are selecting a wedding dress solely on the basis of a photo. The overwhelming majority of the Liu’s EBay feedback was positive. “Positively gorgeous” read one. “Minor alterations, but well worth it” declared another. Nonetheless, there were a few brides who complained the gown didn’t look like the picture or the dress was poorly made.
Second Hand but Not Second Rate:

Consignment stores are another option for brides on a budget. Scout out shops in a variety of neighborhoods. Depending on the area, it is possible to find a second hand store stocked with designer gowns at a fraction of the price. In addition, it is not just the large department stores that drastically slash their prices. Many smaller bridal stores will have sample sales or other incentives to clear their racks of old merchandise. This might be the ideal time to find a gown that meets your price tag.

Grandma’s Dress Free and Clear:

The best deal out there? Getting your gown for free! In many families, passing down wedding gowns is still a common and very sentimental tradition. Wearing your mother or grandmother’s dress can add special meaning to your already special day.

There are countless options to let you look radiant while staying within your resources. From sample sales, consignment shops, renting a gown, hitting the internet, borrowing from friends, or raiding grandma’s attic, the possibilities are endless. Finding the dress of your dreams does not have to break the bank. With a little legwork, creativity, and drive, you will succeed. Myself, I felt and looked like a million bucks in my $6,000 couture wedding gown. No one would have guessed I paid only $99 for this sentimental gem.