Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (2024)

Posted at 19:13hin Dresses and Gownsbydavidsbridal

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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

  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (1)
  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (2)

Styles V3848 & WG3979

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

  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (3)
  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (4)

Styles CWG912 & WG4093

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

  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (5)
  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (6)

Styles CWG924 & MS251255

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

  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (7)
  • Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (8)

Styles WG4036 & WG4017

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!

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Wedding Dresses Under $1000 | David's Bridal Blog (2024)

FAQs

Is $1000 a good budget for a wedding dress? ›

Buying a wedding dress between $1,000-2,000 means that you're in the average cost range, and anything over $2,500 means you're in the higher range, and less than 1,000 is definitely the lower end of the pricing scale.

Is $2000 a good budget for a wedding dress? ›

The price of a wedding gown can depend on numerous factors, including the bridal shop you buy from, the dress's designer, alteration costs, and its anatomical features. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding gown is $2,000.

What is the average wedding dress budget? ›

According to a mix of data reports, the average wedding dress cost in the United States falls somewhere between $1,800 and $2,400. In the bridal fashion world, prices are based on several contributing elements, which we outline below.

Why do brides spend so much money on wedding dresses? ›

The fabrics that wedding gowns are traditionally made of — satin, chiffon, lace — are more luxurious than the fabric everyday dresses are made of. And this makes sense — your wedding is the most special day of your life, and you want to look amazing.

What do brides spend the most money on? ›

Unsurprisingly, the biggest chunk of your wedding budget will go to the biggest investment, which is often the venue. Our study found that couples typically spend about 37% of their overall budget on the wedding venue for their nuptials.

What is considered a big wedding budget? ›

These segments define wedding cost range by varying amounts of money, according to the following tiers: Intimate weddings that cost $1,000 or less. Economical weddings that cost less than $10,000. Standard weddings with costs up to $30,000.

What budget is considered a luxury wedding? ›

The price points of having a luxury outdoor wedding will vary based on individual style and preferences. However, by traditional standards, a luxury wedding budget ranges between $100,000 and $500,000. Although the amount of money spent qualifies a wedding as luxurious, the quality of the experience is of more essence.

Is $30,000 too much for a wedding? ›

The average wedding costs $30,000–here's how to save enough for your big day. Some people prefer to elope or opt for a small, intimate affair with only a handful of guests and a minimal budget, but if you want a wedding on a more elaborate scale, that can be expensive.

Who pays for a wedding dress? ›

While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories. This includes everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes.

What's considered an expensive wedding dress? ›

Average Wedding Dress Cost by Designer Brands

The average wedding dress cost is usually between $2,000 and $4,000 for luxury brands, although the most extravagant gowns can exceed $10,000 (Oscar De La Renta gowns cost $14,000 on average).

What is the markup on wedding dresses? ›

According to Business Insider, research company Edited recently released a study that shows that stores will charge customers roughly 3.9 times more for a "wedding" dress than they would a similar white dress not labeled as "wedding." That means a $500 white dress (which is still not cheap) would cost almost $2,000 if ...

How many wedding dresses does the average person try on? ›

On average, brides try on about 4–7 dresses, but we recommend no more than 10. The more wedding gowns you try on, the more confusing things may get. When the bridal gown selection is too big, brides tend to get overwhelmed and struggle to remember what the first gown they tried on looked like.

Is $1000 a lot for a wedding dress? ›

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!).

What is the superstition about wedding dresses? ›

Many believed that a bride making her own wedding dress would suffer an unhappy marriage. Every stitch made was thought to represent a tear that she'd shed during her marriage. Leaving a dress unfinished until the wedding day however could bring good luck.

Who pays for the mother of the bride's dress? ›

The mother of the bride traditionally buys her own dress before the mother of the groom, and then contacts the mother of the groom to describe her dress.

What should my budget be for a wedding? ›

Wedding Budget Breakdown Examples
  • Ceremony: $150.
  • Reception, venue, catering, and rentals: $2250.
  • Photography and/or videography: $600.
  • Reception music/entertainment: $500.
  • Wedding rings: $100.
  • Wedding attire: $450.
  • Flowers & decor: $500.
  • Stationery: $150.
Oct 2, 2023

How much of your wedding budget should go to dress? ›

8% to 10%

Is $10,000 a good wedding budget? ›

The average couple spent nearly $30,000 on their wedding in 2022. That can be an intimidating number when you only have ⅓ of that in your wedding piggy bank — $10,000. Still, 10k isn't hay, and you can totally plan an amazing wedding with that kind of budget.

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