Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting wedding planning tasks for a bride. After all, the wedding dress is the focal point of your bridal look. When you get the dress selection right, you will look gorgeous on your wedding day.
Although nothing beats the thrill of discovering “the dress” from numerous available options, it isn’t always possible for every bride to buy a brand new dress. A new designer wedding dress is always expensive. Fortunately, it is possible to get married in a beautiful dress even if you must work with a small budget. All that you require is early preparation and flexibility with the best options available.
A budget wedding dress will trim your overall wedding expenses. According to the article on Project Wedding, couples should allocate no more than 10% of their total wedding budget to their outfits. This amount doesn’t include just the bridal dress. It should include the groom’s tux too. Unfortunately, not all brides can find their dream wedding dress as well as fit all related extras like accessories and alterations within this limit.
Nonetheless, it is no big deal if you are ready to go the extra mile and find a budget-friendly dress. When you do, the good thing is that you can allocate the remaining funds to bigger priorities like the menu, entertainment or venue. So, the benefits are many.
Wedding dress shopping is an exhilarating experience for a bride. But, as her bridal gown is one of the most expensive dresses she will wear in her life, this can also make her nervous. Fortunately, you will have your entourage and bridal consultants to help you make your dress decision. And, as with everything wedding-related, there are specific etiquette rules that you should stick to when shopping for your wedding dress too. Let us take a look at what they are.
Are you one of those brides for whom everything changes, the moment that big sparkly stone touches your finger?
Real life experiences tell us that some stones lay low, but others have the power to bring out the best or the worst of the wearer. So, what bridal personality did your engagement ring transform you into—a psycho Bridezilla or a pleasant party girl? Read on to identify which of the stereotype bridal personalities best describe you as a bride. Once you do, we have a list of wedding favors for you to choose from, so you find the one that best suits your personality.
The fairytale princess
From the moment her Prince Charming was on his knees, proposing marriage to her, this bride’s life is a real fairytale. She has spent all her life waiting for this magical moment to happen, and now, nothing can spoil it for her. She must be wed in a castle venue, or at least one that looks the part. Her vision of the perfect wedding will include overdoses of pink, peach, yellow and gold. There will be lots of dreamy, floating elements in her wedding. So, expect to see balloons, lanterns, wreaths, flower balls and similar décor in her wedding.
You will know you are the fairytale princess type if your wedding dress has to be a poufy ball gown or a dress with plenty of embellishments as princesses cannot settle for anything less than the best. You are waiting to tint your eyelashes with sparkle and wear a tiara in your hair. A glass slipper sounds just right for the finishing touches of your bridal outfit.
The perfect party favor would be a gift that is as magical as the day you will be wed on. Beautiful trinkets with a touch of class will be just right to display on your party favors table. If they have a fairytale charm to them, they just cannot go wrong. We recommend the Cinderella wedding carriage candle for the die-hard fairy tale fan; add a touch of glamour and charm to your wedding with these whimsical little beauties.
Other suggestions you may like are the embellished golden lac box card holder and miniature gnomes in polka dot hats.
The thrifty bride
This is the bride who searches far and wide to find the best items on a bargain to meet her wedding vision. Working on a tight budget, she will turn to DIY for as many things as she possibly can handle. Although weddings are expensive, she has her mind set on an amount, and nothing will make her spend a penny more than that. Although she may not be entirely tuned to the idea of wearing a second-hand dress for her wedding, she won’t hesitate to choose it if the ones she likes are not reasonably priced. And she truly believes she can make it happen as per her wish too, as she has invested time, energy and effort into nailing every detail with perseverance.
You will know you are the thrifty bride if the first thing that you look at when you go shopping for, whether it is for your wedding dress or the wedding cake, is the price tag. If you have to spend anything more than you originally anticipated, you will first have to do a lot of calculations to make sure you can accommodate this excess elsewhere. You will start early with your wedding shopping and planning, as you know that time is of the essence if you are to find a great bargain. You are also bold enough to step away from tradition, and try something entirely new, if you thinks it is a wiser choice for the money you have to spend.
The perfect party favor would be a gift that is more practical than pricey, and a gift that the guests would use rather than toss. Edible wedding favors like cookies, chocolates and cupcakes that can be delightfully customized for a trivial cost will be great choices that fit the thrifty bride’s vision of a satisfying gift that isn’t too pricey.
We have a whole page of edible favor wrappers that can be customized to the last detail.
The Classic Bride
Traditions and elegance rule the wedding of this bride. Her choices are not flashy or over-the-top. Despite that, there is a magnificence to every detail executed at her wedding. Everything from the wedding invitations to the color palette and the wedding dress are designed elegantly and echo timeless elements that just cannot go wrong. She will prefer a predictable wedding style, without too many surprises and you can expect traditional fare at the wedding. Family heirlooms, standard wedding speech progressions and classic music will all be part of the evening. Nevertheless, it will be pleasant and a fun evening, just as a wedding ought to be.
You will know you are the classic bride if you turn to the older generation for ideas on planning your wedding. You will have your mind set on traditional, even heirloom jewelry for your big day. Your accessories and makeup will be simple but stylish, and not too loud. You already have serious colors and simple silhouettes for your bridesmaids dresses in mind. You want your wedding venue to be beautiful, but not stuffy with too many details. Your wedding dress will feature classic elements like lace and pearls, and your bouquet will feature roses and delicate blooms.
The perfect party favor for the classic bride should be gifts that are as classy as the couple they represent. The antique style key bottle opener which has a vintage charm will easily find favor with her, as it is a good-looking gift with a touch of personality.
Equally impressive will be the miniature beveled mirror box with lid and and the leaf wine stopper in an enchanting silver finish.
The environment-conscious green bride
This bride worries about the carbon footprint of her wedding, and is determined to make eco-conscious decisions for every aspect of her wedding. From choosing local and seasonal fare for her wedding menu to renting her wedding dress or repurposing an heirloom, she will painstakingly make every detail of her wedding a green choice. Although it may not be too easy to customize the centerpieces so they do not involve any wastage, or to stay away from the tempting cut flower bouquet, this bride knows that what the environment cannot afford, she doesn’t want. Don’t be surprised if you see her and her groom cycle away from the wedding venue, in the best interests of the planet.
You will know you are the green bride if you have been looking far and wide for the most eco-friendly choices in wedding invitations, dresses and food. You will have researched how you can cause lesser pollution by arranging group transportation for your wedding guests, and you will also be considering all that can be reused and recycled post your wedding, so there is minimum loss. We also think that ring on your finger may not be a diamond, if you are real green girl. Are we right?
The perfect party favor would echo the eco-friendly sentiments of the green bride. These should be favors that will continuously serve the owner and perhaps includes a green element as well. We can totally see this see paper sun filled with wildflower seeds warming up the heart of the green bride. Not only will it give her guests a chance to plant some joy into their own homes, it will also be a small gesture to encourage them on the environmentally conscious route.
Equally attractive are eco-friendly bamboo ball point pens with a green inscription that we have at our store.
The fun-loving party bride
This bride’s wedding party will be a huge hit, for the fun it entails. Everything will be about entertainment, and she will be excited to enjoy everything on offer, just as much as her wedding guests. Don’t be surprised if you see her wearing a dress that is more about comfort than bridal style, or you notice sneakers on her feet. After all, her wedding will be a day to enjoy lots of activities with the people she loves, and high heels would hamper her freedom to move about. If you see Piñatas at the venue, food trucks and lots of activities in the space, your guests will know they are in for quite some fun.
You will know you are the fun-loving party bride when all you can think of is how long and to what extent you can party on your wedding day. You will not care so much about how your wedding looks or whether your bridesmaids match each other or look glamorous. All that matters is everyone has fun, and that your party be the biggest fun event of the year.
The perfect part favor would be gifts that can be used at the party to add more fun, than just be taken home. Just married Sun glasses that can double up as photo props for the wedding party, are ideal gifts for the outdoor bash that this bride hosts.
For the children at the party, our bride and groom Frisbee in our online favors shop is a good idea. We are quite sure that even the adults can partake in some great outdoor fun with this practical party favor.
The trendsetter bride
Forget about following trends, this bride is all about setting trends herself. Everything she does and chooses is unique, and memorable in an exotic way. This is the bride whose wedding everyone wants to attend. All her friends, neighbors, colleagues (and social media stalkers) look forward to the event and seeing what her vision is like, from the minute they know she is engaged. She is as exciting as brand new fashion, and everyone knows that her wedding will showcase at least a few novelties that nobody else could possibly even think up.
You will know you are the trendsetter bride when you like to think outside the box, and want everything at your wedding to be distinctly unique. Your eye is on the details and how different it is from what others have tried and tested. You do not hesitate to step away from fashion stereotypes, to carve a totally different look for yourself. Most importantly, whether you choose a dream designer wedding dress, or a Boho chic dress, you can totally rock it. Don’t be surprised if everyone is asking questions about your wedding plans and are all ears to hear what you have in mind for your big day. After all, they know that it will be brand new and interesting.
The perfect party favors for this personality will be just as interesting as the bride herself. This is after all, the one thing, that the guests at the wedding get to take home as a keepsake, and it should live up to high expectations. Customized gifts possess that unique touch. The gold dreamcatcher inspired key ring is a gift that is unique and not too popularly distributed. It makes an excellent keepsake, precisely for this reason.
Now tell us, which of these bride personalities best describes you?
Whether you love the favors that we have featured here, or would like to see more options, you will find everything you need in our exclusive bridal shop at Best for Bride. Apart from wedding favors, we also have a great collection of wedding dresses, accessories, tiaras, veils and everything you need for your wedding. Whether you are on the search for the dresses for your bridesmaids, or need help with choosing the mother-of-the-bride’s dress, visit us and we will help you find what you want. Our services also include wedding dress and accessories rentals and wedding dress dry cleaning and preservation. Come visit our shop today, or check out our website here to find out more about all the services we have to offer you to make your wedding a big hit in every way.
Nothing beats a brand new wedding dress, but we all know how expensive it can be! It may not be possible to find that perfect wedding dress you always wanted, if you are on a limited budget. So, let us think of what is the next best option. You can either buy a second-hand gown, or rent your wedding dress from a reliable wedding store.
Buying your wedding dress second-hand is not a bad idea, as it will have been used just once before. If you are lucky, you may even find a gown that still has the tags on, if the bride who originally bought it later changed her mind after buying it. Either way, one thing is certain; the price will be a lot lesser. Nevertheless, there are a few questions you should ask when taking this route, and here they are.
A once-worn wedding gown can quickly age, if it wasn’t preserved properly. So, it is wise to find out whether the gown has been preserved professionally following the wedding. Although a gown can be priced at less than 50% of the original cost, it isn’t always worth the price, if the gown hasn’t been properly cared for. A well-preserved wedding gown, on the other hand, will be as good as new, and you can be assured that you are getting the best deal for your money.
Are the alterations reversible?
Any bride who buys a wedding gown will have performed minimum alterations, so it fits her exactly. Since it isn’t likely that your measurements will match hers, you may have to further alter the gown to fit you. So, it makes sense to check on what alterations were carried out, and if they are reversible. This article on the Bridebox suggests that you ask for the actual measurements of the second-hand gown, and not the measurements that it originally came with, to understand whether it is the right choice. Remember that it is always better to buy a bigger gown that you can take in.
Always deal with a trusted and reliable seller
The last thing you want is to buy a gown that is a knock-off, when you want to start off your marriage on a perfect note. Avoid this by asking your seller for proof of purchase. This will also allow you to check when the dress was purchased. If it was professionally preserved, ask for receipts of that as well. This will allow you to check whether the gown was preserved immediately after the wedding, and not when the seller decided to put it on the market. Since you will most likely be keeping the gown after your wedding, you must make sure that it received good care from the time it was out of the box.
Exercise caution and pay attention to the details, when you buy a pre-owned wedding dress. This way you can not only realize your dream of wearing the perfect wedding dress, but can do it with satisfaction.
If you would like to rent your wedding dress instead, get in touch with us at Best for Bride, and we can help you out.
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Other suggestions you may like are the embellished golden lac box card holder and miniature gnomes in polka dot hats.
