Average Wedding Dress Cost

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You surely are wondering how much the cost of a wedding dress is. Well, you are on the right page. We'll give you an idea on the average cost of a wedding dress including factors that can affect its price and some shopping tips as well. Dig in.

Typical Cost Of A Wedding Dress

The average cost of a wedding dress is $1,500.

This is according to the U.S. wedding statistics and market estimates as provided by the Bridal Association of America.

Included In The Price Of A Wedding Dress

The price includes the dress, its design and in some cases, alterations.

Consider These Factors

  • Type of dress. The price of a wedding dress can go lower or higher depending on the type of dress you choose. For instance, you can get low-end wedding dresses for less than $200. This refers to an off-the-rack synthetic fabric cream or white evening dress. You can also find mid-range wedding dresses for $500 to $1,000 for a custom-made or off-the-rack wedding dress with simple details of beading and lace from a bridal boutique or a chain bridal retailer. Designer dresses, on the other hand, can cost you $2,000 to $6,000. Designer wedding dresses are usually made from silk or natural fabric.

  • Off-the-rack or custom? Take note that a wedding dress that is custom made just for you is far more expensive than off-the-rack items. Say for example you choose a designer dress. Here, you have to pay $2,000 to $4,000 for a dress that is already in the catalog and the designer will make one based on your measurements and be sent to you. On the other hand, a custom-designed designer wedding dress can cost $6,000 or even more. The designer will make sure that the gown will fit you precisely and most of the details you wish on the dress will be done by hand for you.

  • Designer. Your wedding dress will cost extravagantly if done by a very well-known designer.

  • Details. The simpler your wedding dress is, the cheaper it will go. If your choice involves intricate details like beading and embroidery, you can expect the price to go higher.

  • Fabric. Your choice of fabric will usually affect the price of your wedding dress. Synthetic fibers are the cheapest and silk can be the most expensive.

  • Time frame. In most cases, wedding dresses must be ordered two or more months ahead of time. If you order a dress and get it less than two months from the order date, the designer can charge you for a rush fee of 10 to 25 percent more of the price of the dress.

Additional Costs

  • Alterations. Unless you get a dress that is custom-made for you, you may have alterations to pay for so that the dress will fit your perfectly and comfortably. A simple alteration can cost you around $20 only while other labor-extensive alterations can cost you a hundred dollars or more.
  • Shipping. If you have ordered the dress somewhere far, expect to cover the shipping charges for the dress.
  • Special undergarments. If your dress will require an undergarment, you may need to consider adding them to the cost of the dress unless you already have them with you. Most of the time, you need to get a strapless bra or a body-slimming garment.
  • Preservation. After the wedding, you may want your dress to undergo a wedding gown preservation to keep it in its perfect shape and condition. Wedding dress preservation costs around $150 to $500.

Tips Before You Buy A Wedding Dress

  • Before you shop for a wedding dress, know the perfect kind of dress for you. RealSimple.com has an article to help you choose the perfect wedding dress for your body type and shape. Consider this article as well from Wednet.com to guide you in choosing your wedding dress.

  • Plan on your budget for your wedding dress and try to stick with it. A lot of brides often go shopping and choose a dress that is way over their budget. To avoid things like this, better be strict with your budget and only look for dresses that fall inside your budget range.

  • Shop several months in advance to help you get the most perfect wedding dress. Shopping close to the wedding date will only give you a bad choice and most of the time, an expensive one.

  • The Wedding Style Magazine has a good catalog of all great bridal dresses from various designers today. Designers featured here include Monique Lhullier, Vera Wang, Ian Stuart, Amy Kuschel, Alexander McQueen, and many more.