5 Ways to save money on your wedding dress

For the bride, choosing the right wedding dress is the most important thing about her wedding. Some surveys indicated that the average bride in the U.S. spends over $2,500 on her gown. I don't know about you, but I'd rather put that money toward a sweet honeymoon. By following these simple tips, you can save money on your wedding dress.

Shop last year's collections

Gasp! No, it's not sacrilegious to buy a dress that came out a year ago. Right now, you can find significant discounts on wedding gowns from the Spring/Summer 2010 collections. In order to make space for new inventory, bridal shops, department stores and online retailers mark down last year's designs once the new gowns come in.

Head to consignment shops

Consignment shops and thrift stores often have both new and used wedding dresses at reasonable prices. When a wedding is cancelled, the bride usually can't return her dress, so she is willing to part with it at a reduced cost just to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Check out Craiglist and eBay

Many brides with canceled weddings put their gowns on Craigslist.org or eBay.com. It might take some time to find your size, but this is a fantastic way to find your dream dress at a discount.

Rent your gown

If you are dead set on a gorgeous wedding gown that is out of your budget, rent it! Formal wear shops often rent wedding dresses at a fraction of the sales price. Who cares if it's rented — you are probably going to just pack it away in a box in the attic anyway.

Save on accessories

Don't buy your shoes, veil and headpiece at the bridal shop. You can find plain white satin shoes at a traditional shoe store...or don't even wear white shoes, just put on your favorite pair of heels. Affordable veils, headpieces and other bridal accessories can be found at online shops. You can also make your own — pick up a DIY kit at a craft store or sewing shop.

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Goth Prom Dresses

Don’t let anyone tell your prom dress isn’t good. Don’t take their suggestions that the color isn’t right for your hair color or the dress is a little too loose on the sides… Always stick with your gut because as long as you feel good, you’ll look good too. Buy the dress you want, not the dress your mother/friend/date wants.

Goth prom dress tips: There’s nothing wrong with adding a pair of long gloves to the mix. And you may wish to contrast with pearls, or jet necklace (lots of jet in Whitby, where they filmed Dracula). Also, consider threading pearls into your hair. Also, channel Helena Bonham-Carter.

Vintage prom dress tips: A good prom dress lasts forever, but you might decide to spend the money on your hair instead. If you take a pic of any pin-up girl to a salon and ask for that style you’ll truly feel the part. Or you can try to make your own victory curls. No-one has to see them up close, but don’t forget stockings!

Indie prom dress tips: You looked lovely. Remember to shove a tenner down your shoes for when you lose your money and phone and need a cab ride home.

Punk prom dress tips: Have you thought about wearing a pretty frock with Converse or glossy black DMs? Of course you have. Pretty prom dresses with sneakers are a droolingly lovely combo.

Elegant prom dress tips: If you’re looking swelegant, try chewing gum while you talk for a little contrast. Or take a leaf out of Holly Golightly’s book and tell any and all eligible bachelors you’ve lost your cat.

Finally, if you plan for an unusual prom dress, you have at least two options. Go for a statement unique prom dress but nod to convention with pearls or shiny things and a corsage. Or go for a classic formal prom dress or gown with goth or punk accessories with hair, tights, shoes, jewelry and such. There you go.

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