How Much Does a Wedding Dress Cost?

Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding. But with so many different styles and price points, it can be hard to know how much you should expect to spend on your gown.

With some dresses costing less than £/€100 and others costing upwards of £/€10,000, it can be difficult to set a budget. And even if you have an idea of how much you want to spend, it's not always easy to find a dress that falls within your budget.

To help you figure out how much you should spend on your wedding dress, we've put together a guide that covers everything from the price of a dress to the cost of alterations.

What's the Average Cost of a Wedding Dress?

The average cost of a wedding dress is currently £1,000-£3,000 (€1,500-€3,500). Many brides-to-be spend more or less than this on their gown, but this is a good starting point if you're not sure where to begin your search.

Of course, several factors will affect your dress's price, including the gown's style, the fabric it's made from and where you choose to buy it. We'll go into more detail on all of these factors below.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Your Wedding Dress

Wedding Dress Styles

There are endless choices when it comes to wedding dress styles, from simple and elegant gowns to more dramatic and embellished designs. The style of your dress will have a significant impact on the overall cost.

Here are some of the most popular wedding dress styles and an estimation of how much they typically cost:

• A-line: £500-£2,000 (€700-€2,800)
• Ball Gown: £800-£3,000 (€1,100-€4,200)
• Mermaid: £700-£2,500 (€980-€3,500)
• Sheath: £400-£1,500 (€560-€2,100)

As you can see, there is a wide range in prices for each dress style. The A-line is often the most affordable option, while the ballgown tends to be the most expensive. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. You may be able to find a very simple A-line dress for £/€300 or an extravagant ball gown-style dress for £/€500. It all depends on the specific dress you choose.

Remember, there are a myriad of standard and custom designs to choose from, and those above are merely a selection of the most popular choices. So don't panic if your dream dress doesn't fit neatly into one of these categories.

Wedding Dress Material

Additionally, the price of your dress will also be affected by the fabric it's made from. Wedding dresses made from expensive fabrics like lace or satin will typically be more costly than those made from less expensive materials like polyester or tulle.

If you have lots of embellishments, such as beading or sequins, on your dress, this will also add to the overall cost.

Wedding Dress Designers

The designer(s) you decide to choose will also have considerable bearing on how much you might expect to pay for your wedding dress. Top-end designers such as Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta have dresses that start at around £4,000 (€5,000), while more affordable designers like Catherine Deane start at £1150 (€1,300).

The prestigiousness of the designer is not always an accurate predictor of cost, however. You can buy couture designers for less than £1,000 (€1,200) by shopping at sample sales or searching for pre-owned dresses.

Where You Buy Your Wedding Dress

Another factor that will affect the cost of your dress is where you choose to buy your dress. Dresses bought from high-end designers or bridal boutiques will typically be more expensive than those purchased from department stores or online retailers. You may be charged an appointment fee (£25-£50/€35-70) just for the privilege of trying on dresses at some boutiques (though this fee is usually deductible from the cost of the dress).

If you're on a really tight budget, then preloved or charity shops are your best bet, with some bridal dresses costing as little as £100 (€120). Some charities, such as Oxfam and the British Red Cross, have dedicated bridal shops, and you can even buy designer wedding dresses at some of these stores.

How Much Does It Cost to Alter a Wedding Dress?

Once you've found the perfect dress, you'll likely need to get it altered to fit your exact measurements. The cost of these alterations will depend on the amount of work required and who does the alterations for you.

If it's a simple alteration, then you could probably do this yourself or get a friend or family member to help you. However, if it's anything more complicated, you'll need to visit a professional seamstress.

The cost of professional alterations can range from £50 (€60) to £500 (€700), depending on how much work needs to be done and the specific nature of the alterations required.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Wedding Dress?

While some brides can't wait to start shopping for their dream dress, others would prefer to avoid the expense altogether. For these brides, renting a dress is a great option. Not only is renting a wedding dress significantly cheaper, but it's also kinder to the planet too.

The cost of renting a dress will depend on the designer, the style of dress and the length of time you need to rent it for. On average, you can expect to pay between £100 (€120) and £400 (€480) to rent a dress for a day or weekend.

Another advantage of renting a dress is that you can often secure household-name designers, have all of the accessories included in the hire price, and you don't need to pay for the dry cleaning afterwards!

What Else Goes into the Cost of a Wedding Dress?

Don't forget to factor in the cost of accessories when wedding dress shopping. Many brides are caught out after budgeting for their dream dress once they start adding on the cost of a veil, shoes, and jewellery.

A simple veil can cost as little as £20 (€24), while a more elaborate one might set you back £200 (€240). A pair of bridal shoes typically cost between £50-£100 (€60-120), while bridal jewellery and other accessories can range from £20-£200 (€24-240).

Extravagant accessories such as tiaras, beaded headpieces, and faux fur stoles can quickly add hundreds, if not thousands of pounds to the cost of your wedding dress. So make sure you account for these costs when setting your budget.

How Much Should I Spend on My Wedding Dress?

How much you decide to spend on your wedding dress is a personal decision and will depend on several factors, including your style, the formality of your wedding, and, most importantly, your budget.

If you're looking for a designer dress, you can expect to pay an absolute minimum of £1,000 (€1,200). But, If you're not too fussed about the designer label, you can find a beautiful dress for a fraction of the price.

The most important thing to remember is that it's your day and you should wear the dress that makes you feel most beautiful. Whether that's a designer gown or a simple vintage dress from a charity shop, as long as you feel like a million dollars, that's all that matters.