Couture dress minus couture price part 2

Hi friends…we are still friends, right? I’m sorry I made you wait but I had good reason! I really feel like these ones are a total steal. Oh, and if you missed part 1, check it out for more great ideas! Without further ado…

Want this gorgeous Monique? Read on ladies…

Go pre-loved. Sites like Recycled Bride and Preowned Wedding Dresses are a great resource. Can you imagine paying a fraction of the cost of a designer gown…we’re talking at least half off for a Vera (hello lover), Monique or Amsale. Oh? I have your attention now? I see. Here's an idea of the process that was given to me by Tracy of Recycled Bride, it’s kinda brilliant:

1. This $2,800 Priscilla of Boston “Molly” dress is being pre-sold on RecycledBride.com right now for $2,000. (A pre-sale means that the bride hasn’t worn the dress yet and wants to secure a buyer for immediately after her wedding).
2. Buy this dress for $2,000.
3. Spend approximately $100 on shipping with insurance.
4. Spend approximately $300 on alterations (tip: see if your seamstress can avoid cutting away length and pin it instead).
5. Spend approximately $250 for high quality professional cleaning after your wedding.
6. Re-list the dress and sell for $1700 – at 40% off its retail price, finding a buyer should be a piece of cake! Plus, you help another budget conscious bride wear her dream dress! Hello warm fuzzies.
   

Total cost for a $2,800 Priscilla of Boston designer couture gown? Anyone have a guess? This Froggie did the math – $950! Now THAT’S a deal! There are plenty more to choose from, so if this is the option that sounds best to you – get a move on!

(source)

Buy from a past season. This is probably my favorite option because it’s one that most people don’t know about and salespeople don’t talk about. It also may have something to do with the fact that this is the route I took.

To go about getting your dress this way, I would suggest researching past collections by designers you love and see if there are any that catch your eye. Collections are introduced twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. For example, if you decided to shop for your dress in the summer of 2009, you would probably get a good deal on a dress from a collection that debuted in spring 2008 (if they have anything from fall 2007, wow – major deal). These are the dresses that will most likely be on their way out very soon to make room for the new collections. You will have the most luck going about this by visiting a major department store such as Saks or NM. Aaaand, if you target your visit around a trunk show…even more discounts! Another little secret, these bigger stores can also run gift card events – if you purchase merchandise over a certain amount and either open a company credit card (10% off first purchase – ching, additional $$ off!) or put it on your existing company credit card, you can get a gift card up to almost $500 sometimes. That can easily pay for alterations and possibly even a veil or other accessories.

Quick review of money savers (and speaking from experience, it’s possible to do all of this – I did):

• Dress from previous season = lower cost than current offerings
  
• Purchase during trunk show event for your chosen designer (10-20% off)
  
• Open company credit card (10% off first purchase)
• Purchase during a gift card event (up to $500 gift card)
  

Hopefully this gives all you budget-conscious brides some good ideas and if you have any other tips, definitely leave them below – we’re all in this together ladies, spread the love. :)