20 Feb Shopping for Wedding Dresses Under $1,000: Everything You Need to Know
Your wedding dress will likely be the most expensive outfit you ever wear, and with good reason. It’s going to be captured in photographs and memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Still, while tv shows and movies make the idea of dropping thousands of dollars on a gown seem thrilling, the reality is that spending that much can be totally unnecessary, because it’s easy to find wedding dresses under $1000.
There are plenty of stunning wedding dresses under $1000 in every style, so you can find the perfect dress and still have money left in your budget for the shoes, jewelry, and other bridal accessories to complete your look. Or perhaps you’re planning a smaller, more intimate celebration — that’s another reason to consider wedding dresses under $1000, or even wedding dresses under $500. One rule of thumb suggests that brides allocate ten percent of their total wedding budget to their wedding dress. So, if you’re planning to spend $10,000 or less on your big day, wedding dresses under $1000 fit that budget quite nicely (and maybe even leaves you extra for the honeymoon!).
Of all the reasons to consider wedding dresses under $1,000, though, the best is this: There are so many different but beautiful, well-made styles at that price point, you can easily find the dress of your dreams without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Wedding Dresses Over $1,000: What Are You Really Paying For?
It may seem odd that wedding dresses can range so greatly in price—after all, at the end of the day, isn’t it just a white dress? But there are several factors that affect how much a dress costs, and not all of them are obvious.
The size and length of the dress Short or midi wedding dresses will use less total fabric, beading, lace, embroidery, and other adornments, so may understandably cost less. Similarly, wedding gowns that use a lot of layers or folds of fabric to create their silhouette also tend to be priced higher to reflect the greater use of materials that go into making them.
The level of customization and detailing If you’re a fan of intricate details like floral appliques, hand-placed lace, or elaborate beadwork, you can expect to pay more than you would for a simpler, more streamlined and cleaner design. The higher price tag is a reflection of the work that goes into such embellishments, which are often handcrafted and may take hours. That being said, you can still find beautifully-embellished dresses under $1,000 (more on that below!).
The designer If you have your heart set on a specific designer, be prepared to shell out for it. Wedding dress designers who have name recognition can charge more for their gowns simply because they’re in demand. Many brides are more interested in how their wedding dress looks and feels than the brand name attached to it, however.
What Affordable Wedding Dresses Look Like?
Princess-Style Wedding Dresses
Planning to twirl the night away in a ballgown? The shiny material and Cinderella shape of these dresses are affordable options for brides who want to look like a princess on their big day. A classic silhouette and v-neck is perfect for the more traditional bride, but if you want something a little more modern, consider picking an off-the-shoulder style.
Mermaid Wedding Dresses
Mermaid or trumpet style wedding dresses that fit and flare have been popular in recent years, and a bride looking for an affordable wedding dress has many options in this silhouette. For a touch of romance, consider a dress with details like lace appliques and a sweetheart neckline. For a more classic take, pick a gown in simple satin with an off the shoulder neckline and satin-covered button back.
Lace Wedding Dresses
Lace provides just the kind of ethereal, feminine quality many brides want on their big day. Brides shopping for a wedding dress under $1,000 have many options for how to incorporate this fabric, from an all-lace dress to lace appliques, often paired with other beautiful details like intricate beadwork and three-dimensional flowers.
Slit-Leg Wedding Dresses
Whether your favorite feature is your legs or you just want to show off your bridal footwear, these dresses provide a tasteful reveal! If you want a fairytale gown, consider a dress with beaded bodice paired with a flowing tulle skirt. For a more classic look, opt for a strapless ball gown with a high slit that gives it a modern touch.
There are many more wedding dresses under $1,000 to choose from, and as you can see, you don’t need to sacrifice quality or comfort to find your perfect dress at an equally perfect price. When all eyes are on you as you float down the aisle, you’ll be glad you explored the options and found a dress that ticks every box on your dream wedding checklist.
Planning a wedding? Sign up for our Diamond Loyalty program—it’s free!—and find local wedding vendors with Pearl by David’s. Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook for more wedding inspiration and book an appointment to find your dream dress!
