Bridal Club Magazine
The Nitty Gritty: Talking About The Real Cost Of Your Wedding Dress
Most brides are hoping to find their dream dress, at the perfect
price, but just how much will you be expected to pay? You should
only spend what you can afford, and what you've budgeted for, but
this line becomes blurry when you're buying the most important
dress you'll ever wear. We compare couture gowns to off the rack
dresses, and show you what factors influence the price of your
wedding outfit.
Cost
The average price of an off the rack wedding dress is between
$1500 - $2000, compared to a couture gown, which starts at around
$3000 and goes up (and up!).
Production
Dresses that are mass-produced will cost less than couture
gowns, as these are handmade, specifically to fit each bride.
Uniqueness
Couture gowns are one of a kind, made to the exact wishes of a
bride, and this guarantees that no one else will walk down the
aisle in the same dress as yours. Compare this to off the rack
dresses (particularly if you choose not to have major alterations
done - like changing the neckline) then there's always the
possibility that someone you know, will wear the same outfit. You
pay a higher price for a couture gown, because it's completely
original.
Fabric
Another major factor that alters the price of a dress is its
material. To keep costs low, off the rack dresses are usually cut
from more economical (often synthetic) fabrics, but one of the
hallmarks of a couture gown is how it drapes and keeps its shape,
and this is due to what it's made from. Couturiers typically work
with the finest fabrics - like silk - which are natural, delicate,
durable and, as expected, more expensive.
Fit and Alterations
Wholesale dresses come in a range of generic sizes, and because
women come in all shapes and sizes, you can consider yourself
extremely lucky if the dress you pick, fits you like a glove. Most
brides will need alterations, and depending on the extent of the
work, it can sometimes significantly increase the final price of
the dress.
A bride who chooses the couture route will have her measurements
taken, and in a series of dress fittings, the gown will be made to
those exact requirements. You're not charged for all these
alterations, as it's part of the process of having your dress made,
but the overall cost is more expensive, because you're paying for
the expertise of your couturier.
Time
On average, a machine-made dress can be completed in 10 hours,
while a couture gown takes somewhere between 40-50 hours to make.
Of course this depends on the level of detail, as more intricate
accessories will add on extra hours of labour, and (yip you guessed
it!) extra dollars.
Even if you find the ideal off the rack dress, you may still need
to order it, or have alterations done, so give yourself about 4-6
months ahead of your wedding to ensure your dress will be ready. In
contrast, a couture gown can take anywhere from 6-12 months to
make, depending on how busy your couturier is. The duration of the
dress making changes the price, but the most important factor is
making sure that you give yourself enough time to get your dress
finished before W day.
Embellishments
You can decorate your dress with anything you choose, from
Swarovski crystals and pearls, to rhinestones and beads, but your
choice will influence the overall cost. What's also important is
how they're attached. With machine-made dresses they're usually
glued on, but they're hand sewn onto couture gowns. This disparity
in time and man power changes your dress price.
Workmanship
A wedding dress is a complicated item of clothing to make -
whether by machine or by hand. You have to deal with bustles,
buttons and boning, not to mention lots and lots of layers of
fabric, but the overall finish of the dress will vary, depending on
how it's made.
The biggest difference between a couture gown and one that's
straight off the rack, is workmanship, and this is also the key
reason for the big price gap. A couturier's reputation is on the
line with each dress that they make, and this means that they'll
work until the bride is happy, and the dress is perfect - from the
sleeves down to the hem. It takes incredible skill, and
considerable time, to make each outfit by hand, while factory made
dresses are mass produced, and so they simply don't have the same
attention to detail.
Brand
Whether your dress is custom made or machine made - if you're
choosing it because of the designer's name, it will come with an
expensive price tag. You're paying for the brand, the exclusive
material, and because it comes in the latest style, but before you
break your budget, you need to make sure the dress is 100% you. If
you've only ever imagined yourself in Vera Wang, then be my guest,
but there are many unknown, or lesser-known, designers that produce
beautiful and affordable dresses, that may suit you better.
The most popular way to buy a wedding dress today, is off the rack,
but for brides who want to fulfil their wedding dress fantasies,
it's couture all the way. Whichever route you choose, make sure
your wedding dress matches your personality, as well as your
budget.