Trying to planning a beautiful wedding is stressful! Trying to do it with a limited budget can drive you crazy! But, fear not, it CAN be done! Beautiful budget wedding is not an oxymoron! Know your budget.
Let’s start by learning three important terms: eBay, craft & party stores and networking with friends
Let’s start with eBay
It can be your best friend. You can get nearly anything from favors to your gown here. Yes, I said your gown. You want a beautiful gown, but the prices are outrageous right? I saw a commercial just yesterday for a bridal store that was offering financing. Financing your wedding gown? Are you kidding me?! You don’t want to start your new marriage deeply in debt for a dress you‘ll wear once, do you?! That is absurd!
Well, guess what?! There are loads of worn once dresses to choose from, but if you don’t want a dress that’s already been worn, several bridal shops list their try-ons or samples on eBay. And if you are diligent and patient, you can get a beautiful gown for a fraction of what you’d pay at a bridal store. If you follow these tips:
Rule #1 Know Your Budget
- Set your budget for your dress and stick with it, don’t get caught up in the must win this auction mentality!
Rule#2 Buy From a Reputable Seller
- but how will you know? Feedback. eBay has a rating system for buyers and sellers. Set your standards high, this is your wedding we’re talking about. My rule is that a seller must have a feedback rating of at least 95% and have sold at least 40 items which means that of the 40 auctions they‘ve had, 38 people have been very satisfied with their dealings. That’s pretty good! Also, click on their feedback and make sure that they were the seller for at least half of those, not the buyer. (I’m more flexible for smaller purchases, but we are not taking any risks here!) Also, (and these are my personal rules) I only buy from sellers in the US and Canada. And always know how much shipping is prior to bidding! A lot of sellers make their money on shipping.
Rule #3 Know Your Measurements
If the seller is listing a size 7 dress, don’t assume that the dress will fit because you wear a size 7. Wedding dresses are a completely different animal.
Measure first---then determine your size if there is a size chart shown. (If the size chart isn’t shown, ask the seller what the measurements are, they ought to have them listed anyway!) Determine the size that comes closest to your measurements. If between sizes, choose the larger size bcause it is always easier to alter the dress down than to let it out. And if it’s not confusing enough, designer A’s size 7 may be completely different from designer B. Don't get hung up on numbers. Remember, the size will not be displayed on the dress when you are wearing it, so who cares what the size is?! You'll look best in a dress that fits, no matter what the size.
Here's How to Measure:
Measure over undergarments, keeping measuring tape level and not pulling it tightly. (You want to be able to breathe on your wedding day!)
BUST: Measure over your unpadded bra at the fullest part. Do NOT use your bra/cup size. Do not measure under your breasts or your girls will be squished!
WAIST: Measure at the natural waist (this is the smallest part, not where you wear your jeans!) Leave a finger's width under the tape so it can move. Again, breathing is important!
HIPS: Measure around the fullest part of the hips (About 8” below the waist) This one is usually only needed for form fitting gowns.
HOLLOW TO HEM: Measure from the base of the neck (hollow) to the floor. Stand straight and face forward with your arms at your sides.
Place the tape measure ¼” below the hollow or depression of your neck (where a necklace would sit) and measure to the waist following the shape of your body.
Measure from the waist to where you want the finished hem to fall following the shape of the slip.
Place the measuring tape ¼” below the hollow of the neck and measure to the approximate finished hem. If this measurement does not equal the total of the previous two measurements, repeat all three measurements until the measurements agree.
If your waist is a size 6, hips are a size 7 but your breasts are a size 9 or visa versa, go with the bigger size. It's easier to take a dress in than to let it out.
I’ll say it again, don't get hung up on numbers!
Rule #4 Be Flexible & Patient!
Unfortunately, you probably won’t get the first dress you bid on, there’s a nasty little secret on eBay called sniping, that’s where a bidder sits there watching the end of the auction and with 10 seconds to go places their bid. You might be the high bidder for days and then suddenly it’s gone and you’re sitting there thinking ‘what just happened?’ It’s infuriating! Don’t get discouraged! Be patient and be flexible about the dress, choose a style and you’ll find lots of selections. In other words, you want an A-Line dress, with a tulle skirt, will you die if it’s not the Vera Wang you saw in the magazine? No, you’re on a budget and the Vera Wang is going to cost more than your whole wedding budget, you’ll still be beautiful! Let this be your mantra…If you were meant to wear that dress, you’ll win it!