Should You Buy a Designer Wedding Gown?

The best part about planning a wedding is choosing the bridal gown. There is nothing quite like trying on all of those beautiful dresses and feeling like a princess. When it comes to time to actually buy a wedding gown, you will be faced with a big decision: designer or off-the-rack?

The most obvious difference will be the pricetag. Off-the-rack dresses can start at a couple of hundred dollars (or even less, during a sale), whereas designer dresses will start at a couple of thousand dollars and go up, up, up from there. At this point, you may be wondering why anyone would even be considering a designer gown. In fact, the price is not the only thing that separates the two.

Are you paying for the name if you choose a designer wedding dress? Well, the answer is yes and no. For the most part, you are not (and besides, many of the finest bridal gowns are created by designers who are not household names outside of the wedding industry). There are a few top name designers that command a premium based on their reputation, but not many.

So, if the price difference between designer and off-the-rack gowns is not based on a label, what is the reason? The answer is quality of materials and quality of construction. Country of manufacture is another. Many of the designer bridal gowns are handmade one at a time right in New York. The off-the-rack gowns are mass-produced in factories overseas.

Designer gowns will be made from natural fibers, mostly various weaves of silks. A mass-made gown will be created from artificial fibers, such as polyester. There is no doubt that silk is a superior material. It has a beautiful luster, comes in a soft natural shade of white, drapes well, breathes, and can be used to create more elaborate styles. Polyester has none of those attributes, but it is affordable, and it does come in a brilliant shade of white that some brides prefer. It also may wrinkle less than silk.

Probably the best reason to opt for a designer gown is the ability to have it customized just for you. Because each one is made at the time it is ordered, numerous changes can be made to allow for fit and creative expression. If the gown is too low-cut, the train is too short, you want to add or remove embellishment or lace, those are all options with a designer gown. The fit is usually the biggest concern. Not every bride has a sample size body. Let's say that you are a size 8 with a size 12 bust. If your gown is made to order, it can be fit to your exact proportions. If is is mass-produced, you will have to buy the size 12 and hope that the rest of the dress can be cut down two sizes, which can be a dicey proposition.

Of course ordering a made-to-order bridal gown takes time. Usually you need to allow a minimum of four to six months for it to arrive (sometimes rush deliveries are available). If your wedding is in a month, an off-the rack gown might be a better option for you.

Even for brides who have enough time, the cost of a designer gown can be a major stumbling block. Before dismissing the idea out of hand, however, take some time to tweak your budget. Sometimes funds can be shifted from one category to another. For instance, perhaps instead of diamonds, the bride could look into fabulous but affordable crystal bridal jewelry sets. The money saved could go towards your dream gown. Crystal bridal jewelry sets also make great gifts for your bridesmaids, but will look much more expensive than they actually are.

I have even heard of two sisters agreeing to share one very special wedding gown. After the first sister wears it, the second has it re-cut for her wedding. A classic gown with good lines can easily be altered to look unique, just by adding lace or beadwork. Whether you decide to splurge on a designer gown or not, in the end, it is all about finding the one gown that makes your heart sing. Feeling great will make you look your most beautiful on your wedding day.

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com Bridal jewelry sets are available in a style and price to suit any bride and her wedding party.

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