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As you begin your search for the perfect wedding gown, you’ll notice one thing right away: the wedding magazines are full of photographs of slender models with perfect smiles wearing a gown that, aside from being gorgeous, can cost the moon to own. Not everyone has a Hollywood stars’ budget to spend $10,000 or so on her wedding gown, but every bride has the ability to get a similar look! Here are some suggestions how you, too, can get that designer look without breaking the bank.
Let’s say you’re looking through a bridal magazine and there’s the dress of your dreams – – but it’s by a famous designer and the price, according to the advertisement, is way over your budget of $1,000. What to do? You may be able to find an inexpensive gown that is a similar style and dress it up with purchased lace and trim. You can buy lace appliqués, fabric and trims from your local fabric store. If there are no fabric stores in your area that have what you’re looking for, there are numerous on-line stores. Just search “lace fabric”. If you’re not the crafty type, you may be able to find a dressmaker in your area to make the changes for you. When setting your appointment with the dressmaker, be sure to explain the project you have in mind and she’ll be able to tell you if she handles that type of work. After you meet with her she should be able to give you an idea of the cost to revise your dress. You can then decide if it’s still within your budget or not. If it is, great. If it’s not, consider taking a sewing class to learn to do it yourself, or find a family member or friend who sews who can help you.
Same scenario — you’ve found the perfect dress in a magazine (or on-line, even) but it’s way over your budget and the first option described above isn’t for you. Find a dressmaker in your area that specializes in bridal and special occasion wear. Bring the photo of that $35,000 designer gown and discuss your project with her. The chances are good to excellent that she can make a faithful rendition of the gown for less than the original price. While this is a great way to proceed, you shouldn’t expect her to make you an exact copy of the designer gown. First of all, she’ll be working from a photograph, where details are not always easy to discern. Second, although she may be able to embroider and bead the gown, chances are it won’t be the exact pattern. Third, her design expertise and your personal preferences will come into play during the process of making your gown. Expect that she will be able to imitate the silhouette, the overall feel, and the general style of the gown. Remember that you’ll probably have to design the back of the gown yourself, since it’s rare to get front and back views. While it will be less costly than the designer price tag, do expect to pay fair market value for her services. She is a professional and is earning her living creating one-of-a-kind clothing that fits to perfection and will charge accordingly.
Another way to find an great gown for a less than premium price is to check out consignment stores, where the gowns have either never been worn (they are shop models, for example) or worn only once. When shopping for a used gown, be sure to check it over very carefully for damage, tears, rips, etc. and try it on to make sure it’s not too small. (Too big is fine, you can get it altered to fit. Too small and you run the risk of not being able to make it big enough.) Most consignment gowns sell for less than half of their original price. Alterations and re-styling will add to the final cost, but you’ll have a unique, one-of-a-kind gown.
How do you find a dressmaker? If you routinely have clothing altered, ask your alterationist. If you like her work, ask if she also does custom work. She may not, since creating custom clothing and altering clothes involve completely different skills. Custom work involves design, pattern making, pattern fitting and intricate sewing. Alterations require knowing how to un-make a garment and then re-making it so the change cannot be detected. She may know of one or two custom dressmakers in your area, and can make a recommendation. You can search on-line with the keywords “custom dressmakers (your state)”. You can also check out the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers at paccprofessionals.org. This is a nationwide organization of people involved in the sewing business.
Other ways to keep the budget for your wedding attire in check include making your own headpiece and veil. Sewing and craft stores like Jo Ann Fabrics, Michaels, and AC Moore have bridal sections that sell headpiece bases, artificial flowers and trims. A hot glue gun and your imagination are all you need. Again, if you’re not crafty, your dressmaker may be able to make a headpiece for you. Veils should not cost big bucks, although you’d never know it from the bridal store price tags. You can make your own from bridal illusion, which is readily available in fabric stores, or have one made for you. There are some limitations to this option. If you’ve found a veil that has a great deal of embroidery or beading on it, you might be better off purchasing it since hand beading is time consuming and thus costly. In the vast majority of cases, though, it may be less expensive to have your dressmaker craft your wedding veil than purchasing it from a bridal shop.
Your big day should be about the ceremony, the man you’re going to marry, and planning for a life together. It doesn’t have to put you into the poor house for years to come, or cost as much as a down payment for a house to be a beautiful day to cherish forever.
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Source by Susan Andriks
