For those planning a wedding on a large budget, the dress is a major expense but not problematic. For many the wedding budget is much smaller and getting a $6,000 dress that will be worn once is out of the question. There are other options depending on what time you have available, who you know, and just how much money is available.
For some people, hunting on the internet may allow them to purchase a dress at a percentage of the retail cost. Some women have been able to find that $6,000 dress for $500 by sheer luck. The internet is a great resource, but you have to make sure you search diligently, and then if the deal appears, you have to be able to act fast. There are other future brides looking for the best dress at the best price too.
If you have time and either possess the skills yourself or know of someone who would be willing, you can have the dress handmade. Just make sure the person really is skilled. You would hate to walk down the aisle and have a seam open up. Handmade dresses can be the best and become true heirlooms to pass down from generation to generation.
A third option is to use the dress your mother or grandmother wore. This can make it very special and might only requires professional quality cleaning and pressing. In some cases there are alterations needed. This is still much cheaper than buying a dress and can be done by a skilled friend if you can't afford a tailor.
For many people the wedding is merely a formality. They don't need or want all of the pomp and circumstance. They want it special but prefer their dollars be spent on a home or bills. You can still have a nice dress. Purchase a nice dress you would be comfortable wearing out for an evening out. It doesn't have to be white or cream but you may feel more "bridelike" if it is.
The next step you can do yourself or recruit friends to help. After you purchase the dress, go to your local craft store and purchase seed beads, thread and a beading needle. String the beads on the thread and lay them out on the dress in the pattern or edging you like. Tack them into place. Continue for the whole dress with as much or as little embellishment as suits your style. After the wedding, clip all of the tacking to remove the beading and you have a dress that will be able to be used for any occasion.
