20 Breathtaking and Budget Friendly Wedding Dresses (ALL Under $1000!)

Recently I’ve been starting the week with an oggle at some of the stunning new collections for 2016, sharing the latest lovelies from top bridal designers such as Claire Pettibone, Jenny Packham and Ersa Atelier. Whilst these names and their dresses may have us all swooning, I’m all too aware that for many brides (and I was one of them) they simply break the budget. And as much as I believe every bride should walk down the aisle feeling a million dollars, I am also firmly of the belief that doing so shouldn’t cost a million dollars. So today’s post is all about how you can save a few pennies without scrimping on style, with 20 gorgeous gowns whose style, and price tag, makes my heart sing!…..

(View more dresses from cmdress.co.nz)

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So you see, it is possible to find a bridesmaid dress nz that is affordable and still fabulous! And actually these 20 are just a few of my favourites, there are plenty more out there, so many in fact, I have a Pinterest board full of beautiful bridal gowns that won’t break the bank so why not pop across and take a look??

Or if you’re looking for something a little more unconventional as well, do take a peek at these 20 floral wedding dresses perfect for creating a little wow!

HOW MUCH DOES A WEDDING DRESS COST? THE COUTURE EDITION!

Welcome to Part 3 of our big “How Much Does a Wedding Dress Cost?” special! 

We can’t believe we’re already on the final day of our look at the price tags behind some of the world’s most coveted wedding dress nz designers.

On Tuesday we took you through the best places to find a wedding dress for under $1000. Yesterday, it was all about mid-range gowns, with some seriously stunning dresses worth saving up for.

But today it’s all about tossing the budget out the window. (Or saving up, really, really hard!)

We’re talking the big leagues!

Vera Wang, Zuhair Murad, Elie Saab, and Oscar De La Renta to name(drop!) just a few.

Some of their prices are surprisingly splurgable, while others might make you wince.

But if you’ve got a bottomless budget for your wedding dress (lucky you!) these are the designers to spend it on!

TIPS FOR ROCKING A BIG BUDGET WEDDING DRESS

From dresses with more layers than an onion, to the most figure-clinging silhouettes, all-over Chantilly lace, to plain silk with oceans of beading… having endless options doesn’t make finding your wedding dress any easier, but it does make it a little more fun!

Make the most of splashing out, with our tips for finding (and rocking) the dress of your dreams.

• Never feel guilty about how much you’ve spent on your wedding dress! (It’s nobody’s business either!) Whether you’ve been gifted your dress, you plan to resell it afterwards, or if you simply loved it, could afford it, and bought it; own your wedding dress on your day, you deserve it!

• Just because you have a big budget, doesn’t mean you have to blow it, choose the dress that looks and feels the most beautiful to you, not the one with the biggest pricetag.

• Buying an expensive dress doesn’t mean you have to go for ornate embroidery, a big gown or lots of beading, if your tastes are more simple, invest in a designer that focuses on great fit and gorgeous fabrics instead.

• Lauren from Juno & Joy told us this tip, and it’s such a good one, if you think you want a big white dress, start by trying on the biggest gown in the shop to get an idea how it looks feels on you. After that, it will be much easier to gauge the volume that suits your shape and feels comfortable.

• Have fun with accessories, all your budget doesn’t need to go on your dress, spread it out on bejewelled hair ornaments, stylish coverups and killer heels.

• Two dresses can be better than one. If you’ve dreamed of a princess-worthy wedding dress, but know it simply won’t cut it on the dancefloor, leave a little room for dress number two – something fun, sexy, and totally danceable.

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EXPERT ADVICE FOR FINDING YOUR DREAM WEDDING DRESS

Our wedding dress guru, Sama Hemsley, Manager and Head Stylist of bridal boutique, Blackburn Bridal, is back once again, with top tips for finding the dress of your dreams.

Is there a certain percentage of your overall wedding budget you should assign to your dress?

Oh no, there are no rules at all. What isn’t remotely important to one person is the most important thing in the world to another, so what you want and are prepared to pay for a dress is entirely personal.

As a guideline the UK average is probably around £1000-1500 ($1500-2200 ), but at Blackburn Bridal (an independent designer boutique) the average spend is more like £2500-£3000 ($3700-4500).

Then there is Couture which can see you paying anything up to £10,000 and beyond! It’s all about what is reasonable and feasible for you.

What designers would you suggest to a bride with a limitless budget?

Well the world is your oyster!

I think it has to come down to personal style again though – just because you’ve got a couture Vera Wang budget doesn’t mean you’re going to want a couture Vera Wang dress.

Flick through some bridal magazines, make a note of the dresses that inspire you and get trying on, you lucky thing!

HOW MUCH DOES A COUTURE WEDDING DRESS COST?

Couture dresses don’t tend to come with pricetags, so we’ve decided to do a little digging!

If you’ve always dreamed of a designer wedding dress, but were too scared to ask the price, (BTW don’t be, bridal salon staff are so lovely, and only too happy to help!), take a look at our rundown of the most luxurious labels in the world…

Sareh Nouri $3000-7000 (£1900-4600) If we had one word to describe Sareh Nouri’s wedding dresses, it’s romance. Sheer, unbridled romance.

We’ve been fans of this fabulous designer for some time now, one to try if you want a dress that’s soft, playful, feminine and gorgeous. (See the 2015 collection here.)

Johanna Johnson

Johanna Johnson, $4000-10,000 average $6200 (£2600-6600, average, £4000) Johanna Johnson is a luxurious designer with a talent for capturing vintage spirit in her wedding dresses.

Think chic by-gone styles, divine satin textures and inspired embellished detailing. (See the catwalk collection here.)

Claire Pettibone, Photo by Joseba Sandoval via Bridal Musings

Claire Pettibone $3800-7500 (£2500-5000, mostly under £3800) When it comes to the most beautifully intricate detailing, the first designer that comes to mind has to be Claire Pettibone.

Unique dresses, with stunning features, these are the kind of gowns, your guests (and your other half) will never forget.

Temperley

Temperley $3900-7500, mostly £5300 (£2600-5000, mostly £3500) Temperley is a cool British brand for brides looking for something super stylish, but timeless too.

Gorgeous lacework, unusual skirts, and finishing touches that will set your dress apart.

Ines Di Santo

Ines Di Santo $5000-10,000 (£3300-6600) Ines Di Santo is a dress designing dream, for brides who want a show-stopping gown without cutting back on serious style. 

With a particular talent for mermaid silhouettes, this Canadian couture fashion house is not to be overlooked.

Pronovias Atelier

Pronovias Atelier $4500-12,000 (£3000-8000) Fairytale dresses reign at Pronovias Aterlier, with sumptuous fabrics and dramatic silhouettes.

As one of the biggest dress designers in the world, Pronovias brides will have plenty of options for their dream dress.

Berta

Berta $7800-9000 (£5000-6000) It’s no secret that we’re more than a tad obsessed with Berta.

Unabashedly sexy with incredible detailing, these gowns boast some of the most jaw-dropping silhouettes in the world of wedding dresses. (See the full collection here.)

Mira Zwillinger

Mira Zwillinger $8000-12,000 (£5200-8000) If soft, unique detailing and beautiful sheer panels are among your dream dress checklist, Mira Zwillinger might be the designer for you.

This US-based fashion house has a loyal legion of elegant brides looking for special spin to their wedding dress.

Reem Acra, Photo by Abby Ross via The Lane

Reem Acra $9000-10,600, on average (£6000-7000) Reem Acra is one of the most coveted bridal designers in the world and there’s no guessing why. 

From romantic billowing gowns to chic modern designs, Reem Acra creates exquisitely fitting dresses, that fall beautifully, each one adorned with the most beautiful details. (See the full collection here.)

Inbal Dror

Inbal Dror $9000-$12000 (£6000-8000) We have a special place in our hearts for Inbal Dror, an unrelenting couture designer who always delivers each season.

Epic drama, iconic shapes, and phenomenal detailing, there’s good reason these dresses hit the high-end. (See the latest collection here.)

Marchesa

Marchesa From $10,6000 (From £7000) Marchesa is one of those quintessentially luxurious and elegant fashion houses, and their consistency never falters.

Reams of tulle, miles of lace, and oceans of silk, if you’re looking for a stunning dress with the utmost quality, Marchesa stuns every time.

Galia Lahav

Galia Lahav $7500-15,000 (£5000-10,000) Another impossibly seductive designer, with a keen eye for feminine shapes and sumptuous features, Galia Lahav is coveted by confident brides.

A must-try for brides looking for ornate embellishments or a seriously stunning backless gown. (Seepast collections here.)

Monique Lhullier

Monique Lhullier Signature Collection $5000-20,000 (£3300-13,200) Bliss Collection, $2800-5000 (£1850-3300) Dreamy, romantic and gorgeous, any bride would feel like a movie star in a Monique Lhullier gown.

And with a Bliss collection in a more affordable bracket, any bride could be within reach of their own red carpet moment on their wedding day.

Zahavit Tshuba

Zahavit Tshuba $13,600 (From £9000) Tel Aviv-based designer, Zahavit Tshuba, creates dresses that fuse the totally sexy with the utterly pretty.

Sexy lines and daring plunges sit alongside pretty bows and sweet scalloping. The result? Totally gorgeous! (See the full collection here.)

Oscar De La Renta

Oscar De La Renta $14,000, on average, (£9200) The world sadly lost Oscar De La Renta last year, but the legend lives on with his stunning couture collections.

Classic, elegant, beautiful gowns, if they’re good enough for Mrs Amal Clooney, we think they’d more than do for us too!

Vera Wang

Vera Wang $7500-23,000, average spend $9000-13,6000 (£5000-15,000, average spend £6000-9000) Think expensive wedding dresses, most of us think Vera Wang. But these dresses are so much more than their lofty price tag.

A designer with a passion for all things romantic, these dresses not only look, but feel, exquisite – to wear on your wedding day.

Zuhair Murad

Zuhair Murad $15,000-20,000 (£10,000-13,000) We’ve recently become a little bit obsessed withZuhair Murad, with collections that always deliver the offbeat with the beautiful.

Utterly unique, statement dresses, with dramatic shapes and daring details, these gowns need bride with serious star-power to rock them.

Elie Saab

Elie Saab $7500-27,000 (£5000-18,000) Another designer that’s beloved by celebrities and brides alike, Elie Saab’s wedding gowns are just divine. 

Laced with sparkle, adorned with detail, think statement shapes, and romantic movement.

Krikor Jabotian

Krikor Jabotian From $18,000 for a very simple gown (From £12,000) So they might be some of the most expensive wedding dresses in the world, but they’re also some of the most exquisite.

Krikor Jabotian work with each bride from their salon in Beirut to create statement shapes with ornate embroidery and one-of-a-kind embellishments.

These aren’t just wedding dresses, they’re works of art!

It’s a wrap! We’ve had so much fun putting it all out on the table, and looking at the numbers behind our favourite designers.

And there have been some surprises along the way, right but we’re happy to see you can still find a gorgeous wedding dress, no matter what your budget is. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you’ve missed our last two posts, don’t forget to check back for stunning dresses under $1000, and the best mid-range designers.

(Prices may vary in different boutiques and different parts of the world, we’ve gathered prices from the US, UK, and Ireland and used xe.com for conversions.)

REAL LIFE WEDDING: CARLA & JOSH

Surrounded by friends and family, Carla & Josh held their romantic ‘touch of vintage’ wedding in the magical Gold Coast Hinterland.

When and how did you meet?

Joshy and I met eight years ago when we were 18 years old at Griffith University in the Library. We had a mutual friend and would have weekly study dates (sounds very geeky) but we would just talk, laugh and annoy everyone who was trying to study.

I then changed degrees and moved to Bond a few years later. The mutual friend messaged me one night to have a coffee at 3 Beans in Broadbeach. Joshy was there and we just hit it off, talking and drinking coffee until 3am! From that night we had lots of dates and hang outs until 3 months later he eventually kissed me! We fell very much in love and have been inseparable since. Four years later Joshy asked me to marry him.

How did you get engaged?
Joshy asked me to take a Monday off in February 2013 as he wanted to take me away for the weekend. I didn’t suspect anything as he always does the most thoughtful things for me. We went to Crystal Creek retreat Rainforest which is the most beautiful place I have ever seen! It was perfect, with a wooden cabin, lots of wine and nature surrounding you. He made me a dinner that night, asked me to dance with him on the deck and got down on one knee. Through all the tears I said yes!

（Idress.co.nz can offer the wedding dresses from the picture）

How did you go about the planning process?

I am a marketing and events planner and have had lots of experience in planning large events. I just knew what I wanted for our wedding. Simple, timeless and romantic. I had lots of connections within the wedding industry and had a friend as a florist, friend as a makeup artist and so on. My mum helped me a lot with the little things and we made lots of  DIY personal decorations. Joshy’s dad is an artist so he was also very involved. I didn’t find it stressful at all and would do a little every week for the first couple of months. The day was so organised and just flowed beautifully.

What was the theme or inspiration for your wedding?
We got married at Boomerang Farm. It was perfect for us. We said our vows under the tree house, had a garden party with wine barrels and white umbrellas and had the reception in the barn. As soon as I saw this location I knew this was it! The barn was so personal and had so much personality. Our theme had a touch of vintage. I just wanted thousands of candles and fairy lights which made the wedding so romantic!

I know it’s hard to choose, but what was the best part of the day?
Saying our vows and hearing my husband’s speech!.

Any advice for our brides-to-be?
Yes, start the organising early Do a bit every week and it won’t be as over whelming! The wedding should symbolise you both.

AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER

（You can find more cheap bridal gown from Gudeer.com）

Sparkling ball gowns, glittery gold hues and magical forest-like settings are alive and well in the wedding world. The pure romance and warmth of these amazing shots will transport you back to the pages of your favourite childhood fairytale…

10 Wedding “Rules” You Don’t Have to Follow

For decades, there have been lists of “don’t do this” and “do this” given out to brides for their weddings. The rules seem to change with every season that passes, but there are a few myths out there that couples need not worry about:

Rule #1: You cannot see your bride/groom before you walk down the aisle.

If you’re a traditional person, then you aren’t going to want to see your sweetheart before the ceremony. But if you want to enjoy your cocktail hour with your guest, and tradition isn’t really your thing, then breaking this rule is perfect for you. “First look” pictures are becoming insanely popular as more and more couples want to attend their entire wedding and not just the reception. During a “First Look,” the couple sees each other before the ceremony, and their photographer captures pictures of the moment. This also makes is possible to take pictures with other family members and friends, as long as you don’t mind them seeing you before you walk down the aisle either. Think about it this way: The more pictures you take before the ceremony, the more time you will have to enjoy your wedding — including your cocktail hour.

(Gudeer.com can offer the bridesmaid dresses from pic)

Photo Credit: Disney Fine Art Photography & Video

Rule #2: You must toss the bouquet and the garter.

You actually don’t have to do either of these things. Many couples choose to just toss the bouquet or to simply hand it off to the couple in the room who has been married the longest. Fewer brides are comfortable with the idea of their groom lifting up their skirt to reach under and grab the garter, only to then toss it over his head to a pack of guys. If you don’t want to do either of these traditional aspects, you don’t have to.

Rule #3: You must pass out favors.

Guess again! Favors frequently end up in the trash if they aren’t food or alcohol. Let’s face it; no one wants those Jordan almonds, and anything with your monogram on it won’t make sense for your guests to keep. Unless you are providing a split bottle of wine with a thank you label or something interesting like a bag of coffee grounds from Peru, do not feel pressured to provide your guests with a favor. Of course, a donation to a charity in lieu of a favor is always another option to consider.

Photo Credit: Shewanders

Rule #4: Your wedding has to be on a weekend.

This is becoming less and less true. Celebrities are paving the way for Monday weddings to be acceptable, and while your guests may not be fans of this, a Saturday night wedding isn’t the rule anymore. In fact, we have many couples who want a particular venue during a particular time of the year — and if that means they settle for a Tuesday afternoon, they will take it. Just understand that this will impact your guest list, much like having it on a holiday weekend. However, if your wedding is small and your venue only has non-traditional dates available, there’s nothing wrong with taking one of them!

Rule #5: You have to invite children to your wedding.

Don’t worry about hurting feelings here. Truth be told, you will offend someone at some point in time during your wedding planning anyway, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. Weddings are adult affairs, and I know plenty of parents (myself included) who don’t want to bring their children with them anyway. Between the long day, driving from one place to the next, the alcohol and the late night, weddings just aren’t a fun place for kids to be. Do not feel guilty when you write “Adults Only” on your invitations. As long as you are giving enough notice, your guests can find babysitters.

Photo Credit: Studio Cabrelli

Rule #6: You have to provide transportation for your guests for the entire day.

While this is an extremely nice gesture, it certainly is not mandatory. If you can afford to do this, then by all means offer to shuttle your guests. However, these shuttles must be booked months in advance prior to your invitations going out. This means guessing how many people will actually use the shuttle. There is a strong chance that you will provide transportation for far more people than will actually use it. In fact, many guests will tell you they will use the shuttle and then change their mind at the last minute. The truth is, they don’t realize this is another incurred cost for the couple, so they will think nothing of taking their own car.

Rule #7: Someone must walk you down the aisle.

If you want to take the trip alone, you can take the trip alone! If you don’t have a parent, sibling, or someone else in your life that you feel needs to “give you away,” then you can walk to your fiancé all by yourself. Besides, many aisles are narrow, and if you’re wearing a ballgown, you might be the only person who fits down the aisle.

Photo Credit: Toto Villaruel on Bride and Breakfast via Lover.ly

Rule #8: You need a certain number of bridesmaids depending on how many guests you’re inviting

This is simply not true! Your bridal party should consist of the people you are closest with, and if that means one or two people, then that is perfectly fine. If your fiancé has more people than you, that is totally acceptable, too. Many couples are opting not to have a wedding party at all and frankly, that’s even better in some cases: Fewer headaches, less drama, and no arguments over wardrobe.

Rule #9: Your friend would make a great officiant/planner/DJ/etc.

We see this mistake happen all of the time, and as much as we warn couples, there’s only so much we can do. While it’s a nice thought to have your friend officiant the wedding, there are states where this simply isn’t allowed, and you will have to get married in advance of your ceremony. Plus, we’ve seen friends mess up on the wedding day, and then things get really difficult and out of control. Take our advice here: Hire a professional. Let your friends just be guests at your wedding!

Rule #10: There is a specific order that your reception must have.

While there are certainly things that need to be organized — for instance: parent dances, cake cutting or other traditions — there is not set order in which to do them. If you want to get all of the formalities out of the way so that your group can dance all night, then do it. If you want everything to be spread out, that’s fine, too! It’s your day and your wedding, so schedule whatever you want, in whatever order you want.

Ask the Experts: “How Do I Discourage Plus-Ones Without Offending Anyone?”

Welcome to our latest installment of “Ask the Experts,” where our contributor team of wedding planners solves readers’ most pressing wedding-planning dilemmas! This week, Kristin Alexander from Esoteric Events and Claire Gordon fromClaire Gordon Events weigh in on the sticky subject of plus-ones. Do you have a question that you’d like to submit? Fill out this form, and we’ll do our best to respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Q. “My guest list is adding up, and I do not have room to add on plus-ones for certain people, but how do I deal with the plus-one issue for my bridal party? I don’t want to upset them, but I also don’t want them bringing a date that my fiancé and I don’t know as a couple.” — BG reader Chelsea

(bridesmaid dresses from idress.co.nz)

Photo Credit: Timepiece Studio

Kristin Answers:

“If you are not comfortable with a member of your bridal party bringing their significant other to your wedding, it’s best to address the situation with her one-on-one. Keep in mind that it is 100% acceptable to request this if they are newly dating, but if they are in a long-term relationship or married, I do not suggest going this route. Be upfront and honest from the start. Don’t just rely on an invitation without a plus-one option, as it will be confusing, and it can cause unnecessary drama.”

Explain that you are trying to keep your wedding intimate and small. Stress how important her role is to your big day and ensure that she knows you appreciate her understanding. Also, avoid discussing this with other members of your bridal party before addressing it one-on-one, so to sidestep hurt feelings!

In the end, it is your wedding and you and your fiancé should be completely comfortable and content with every single person attending. It’s understandable to want to please everyone, but, unfortunately, this is not reality when it comes to working with a budget or size restrictions.”

Claire Answers:

“I think it’s important to acknowledge that, on almost every level, the cost associated with hosting a wedding is directly proportional to guest count. Not only will food and beverage costs incrementally increase with an ever-expanding guest list but often, so will venue fees, rentals, décor and floral arrangements (more guests, more tables to adorn!).

Simply put, if couples aren’t married, ‘plus ones’ are optional invitees for the client. The same rule should also be applied to the bridal party and their guests. (Rest assured, It’s not bad manners to omit “…and guest” from a groomsman’s invite when you’ve only had few brief social interactions with his current partner.)

Exceptions to this rule can, of course, be made here. However, the decision to extend an invite to a long-time partner of a good friend or family member is entirely up to the bride and groom and/or their hosting parents.”

—Stefania Sainato