So you just got engaged, decided your wedding date, found the dream wedding venue. There are probably a million ideas overflowing in your mind now about your upcoming wedding, but for every bride-to-be, the very next thing to do is visit their local Melbourne bridal boutique and find their dream wedding dress.

Finding the dream wedding dress is a moment that every bride dreams of from the time she was a little girl. It is a moment that holds so much significance and emotion as it signifies the new chapter of her life. It also can be one of the most exciting parts for the bride-to-be in the whole wedding planning journey.

However, after some research on Google, Pinterest as well as Instagram, some of the questions will soon pop on to bride-to-be’s mind: “how much does an average wedding dress cost in Melbourne and how much should I pay for my dream wedding dress?”

Let’s admit it: if money wasn’t an issue, we’d all buy the most glamourous and stunning wedding dress in our mind since childhood. However, as funny as it sounds, but weddings are all about “the art on spending money.” With so many different vendors involved in a wedding, bride and groom need to carefully allocate budget for each aspect to make sure the wedding go smoothly, and this goes the same for buying your dream wedding dress.

In this blog, as a senior bridal consultant who has worked at a Melbourne wedding dress shop for over 5 years, I will reveal some of the little known facts on average cost of wedding dresses. Not only that, I will also offer some handy tips on helping you decide the budget on your dream wedding dress as well as 10 tips on saving money when you do dress shopping.

How much does a wedding dress cost in Melbourne

Buying your dream wedding dress is as much as the same as buying your first home: they both start with researching the average market prices. Understanding the average cost of Melbourne wedding dresses gives you intel on how much other brides spend on their gowns which help you to decide how much you should set your budget.

According to Easy Weddings, the average cost of a wedding dress in Melbourne was $2,886 in 2020. If you’re an avid “Say Yes to the wedding Dress” fan, you will probably notice that average wedding dress price is vastly different from brides who shop with a large(even unlimited) budget, and hopefully this news comes as a bit of relief for everyone. According to the survey, just 20% of brides went with a custom-made wedding dress.

What’s also interesting is how different suburbs and areas within Melbourne can also play a role in the average cost of the wedding dress. For example, average wedding dress cost from bridal shops in Armadale rise to a whooping $4000-5000 average range, because many of bridal boutiques there focus on designer brands as well as couture wedding dresses. Whereas average dress cost at wedding dress boutiques in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs such asBrunswick, Maribyrnong and Monee Pondsis more affordable: averaging from $2000-$3000, more discounts and off-the-rack specials become one of the reasons why you are more likely to find wedding dresses with much more friendly price tags over there. At Bella E la Bestia, our wedding dresses range in price from $1,500 to $8,000 with most of the wedding dress priced around $3000.

Melbourne brides come the second in terms of average wedding dress spending, at $2886 in the year of 2020

Deciding your wedding dress budget: how much does it cost out of the whole wedding

On the wedding day, I know we all want to look a million dollars in our dream wedding dresses. But as annoying as it sounds, your wedding day isn’t just about your wedding dress, there are also floristry, wedding photography, celebrations, cake and so on. So if you accidentally overspend on a wedding dress that you really like, chances are you will have to cut budget on other things. When researching your dream wedding dress, it is important that you set the budget and manage your expectations.

To offer you a clearer idea on how to set your wedding dress budget, we thought it’d be handy to show you the figure of average wedding cost in Australia: according to Australia Government website Money Smart, couples in Australia spend an average of $36,000 on their weddings. Now with simple grade school math, we can work out the average proportion that wedding dress stand out of the whole wedding, which is 8%. If you are shocked by this number, you are not alone! However, wedding venue prices as well as event styling are definitely the biggest cost factors, they each stand 40% as well as 15% out of the whole wedding budget.

So problem solved, your wedding dress budget should be managed at around 8% out of your total spending. And by the word “around”, you know you can always spend a little more if you find a wedding gown that you really like, or cut down the budget if you find yourself a nice off-the-rack discounts at one of the Melbourne bridal boutiques.

Factors that affect wedding dress prices

There are many factors play a part in determining the price of your dream wedding dress. A fully custom wedding gown that is hand-beaded with blings will naturally cost a lot more than a simpler white gown because of the extra time and labor required to create it.

The fabric

While there can be variations in the cost of fabric due to factors like sourcing, availability, and the wedding dress production process, it's generally true that high-quality fabrics such as silk, satin, embroidered and beaded lace, charmeuse, and appliqués are more expensive than ordinary materials. This is partly because some fabrics, like lace, are custom-made based on the wedding dress design. In these cases, a wedding dress designer will have to order directly from fabric manufacturers or create it in-house if their bridal boutique is capable, which can be a time-consuming and intricate process involving handcrafting techniques.

The embellishments

Choosing a wedding dress that accentuates your best features is crucial, but it's the embellishments that will ultimately elevate your gown from simple to stunning. Think of them as adding sprinkles on top of an ice cream- not essential, but the perfect finishing touch. The process of adding embellishments is a labor-intensive one that involves intricate hand-stitching, often taking weeks or even months to complete, depending on the complexity of the design. As a result, the more embellishments a dress has, the higher the price tag is likely to be.

The designer

Long words short, designer wedding dress will cost you more money. Designing a wedding gown involves more than just creating a pretty sketch; it's a time-consuming process that takes into consideration the bride's body type, style preferences, and overall vision. As a result, designer wedding dresses can cost significantly more than mass-produced options, which can be found for as little as $300 on websites like ASOS (however, online shopping does mean that you cannot check its quality and fitting in person before clicking the “BUY” button, so do consider carefully).

The season

Just like wedding venues would discount their venue prices in winter, there is a pretty good chance that you find yourself a bargain at one of Melbourne’s bridal boutiques before winter comes. This is because most of the wedding dress shops would have sales to clear out wedding dresses from previous collections. Attending a sample sale or ordering your gown at a trunk show (which will usually save you around 20 percent) are also simple ways to save even more on your ideal wedding dress.

Additional cost associated with buying a wedding dress

As well as the price tag of your dream wedding dress itself, most of the time there are other additional costs associated with it. It is essential for the bride to plan that additional amount as part of their wedding dress budget. Here are the top 3 common additional costs associated with wedding dress buying.

Wedding dress accessories

While your wedding dress is undoubtedly the centerpiece of your bridal look, it's important to not overlook the importance of accessories. These pieces can make or break the overall effect you're going for. From the right jewellery and shoes to lingerie and a veil or headpiece, every detail contributes to the complete bridal look. However, these items can add up quickly, so it's essential to budget appropriately for them. At Bella E La Bestia, we offer a range of different wedding dress accessories priced from $100to $1000 including veil, hairpiece and tiaras.

Wedding dress alterations

Unless your wedding dress is custom-made to perfection, otherwise it’s very unlikely that it will fit on you flawlessly, making alterations an essential service for pretty much every wedding dress buyer. Alteration prices vary depending on the extent of the changes needed and can range from as little as $75 to as much as $1200, and it's ultimately up to you to figure out what you need to pay once you've selected your exact wedding dress. Bella E La Bestia’s wedding dress alteration service starts from $500 depending on your needs.

Cleaning and preservation

After your big day, you will want to make sure your dress is professionally cleaned and preserved to keep it in the best condition possible so you have the option later to either resale it, passing on to your children, or just simply preserving the cherish memory yourself.

The cost for wedding dress cleaning and preservation varies based on the type of fabric, detailing, and location and the cost can be somehwere in betweeen $200-$600. Typically, you should set aside around $500 for a professional dry-cleaning service and to get your dress a garment bag. This way, you can rest assured that your dress will look just as beautiful years from now as it did on your wedding day.

10 Money saving Tips for wedding dress buying

Luckily, your wedding dress doesn't have to be a budget-breaker to be stunning. From shopping sample sales to attending wedding expos, there are many budget-friendly ways to cut costs on your wedding gown. Here are top 10 savvy tips to save money when you buy dream your wedding dress.

Consider pre-loved wedding dress

Since brides typically only wear their wedding dresses on the big day, selecting a second-hand alternative is a great way to save money without sacrificing style. Still White is one of the most popular online second-hand marketplaces in Australia and according to them, bride can usually find a style that’s at least 40% off. Just be sure to factor in any additional alteration or cleaning costs when budgeting for a second-hand dress.

Don a Family Heirloom

Wearing a family heirloom as your wedding dress not only adds a sentimental touch to your big day, but it can also help you save money. By opting for a dress that has been passed down from generation to generation, you not only honor family traditions but also help reduce costs.

Set your budget and expectation

We probably have emphasized this a million times, but good planning can help you reduce the cost on your wedding dress. Always work out your budget before you plan a visit to your local Melbourne bridal boutique. While it might not sound nice, but only look at wedding dresses that are close to your price range so you can avoid impulse buying.

Follow bridal shop’s social media page for specials

Pretty much all Melbourne bridal shops now run their social medias on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. And if they have an upcoming wedding dress sales or special discounts, social media pages usually the first place for those news, so be sure to follow your local bridal boutique so you don’t miss a great opportunity to save money.

Attend a wedding expo

There are some awesome bridal expos running every year in Melbourne and during the expo, most wedding vendors including bridal boutiques will some sorts of specials or programs to attract new bride-to-be. For example, Bella E La Bestia ran mini game sessions at the expo last time and the winner got herself a hefty bonus of $500 credit towards her wedding dress purchase.

Grab a floor sample special

If you're looking to save money on your wedding dress, consider asking your local Melbourne wedding dress shop if they have any floor sample specials available. These are the dresses that have been tried on by other brides in the store, and they're often sold at a discount to make room for new inventory. At Bella E La Bestia bridal shop, bride-to-be can usually grab a discount from 30%-50% on floor samples wedding dresses.

keep your wedding dress minimalistic

As we discussed, embellishment, fabrics as well as designer brands can all play a huge role in the price of your wedding dress. A simple, elegant wedding dress can be just as beautiful and timeless as a more elaborate design and can save you a significant amount of money.

Get discounts from wedding dress package deals

Many Melbourne bridal boutiques offer packages that include not just the wedding dress but also accessories like veils, jewellery, and shoes. This can be a great way to save money on your overall wedding look while still getting everything you need. At Bella E La Bestia, bride can typically save upto extra 50% on wedding dress accessories by buying the bundle package.

Be confident with your own body and the choice you made

It's important to feel confident and comfortable in your wedding dress before you say “I do” to it. Once you've made your choice, try to avoid significant weight changes that could impact the fit of your wedding dress. Alterations can be costly, so staying consistent with your body size and shape will help you save money and ensure that your wedding dress fits perfectly on your big day.

Ask help from your bridal consultant

Lastly, consulting bridal consultant from your local Melbourne wedding dress shop. can be highly beneficial in helping you save money on your wedding dress. Once you inform them about your budget and wedding vision, they can guide you towards gowns that fit your criteria and price range with their extensive knowledge of the industry and experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, finding your dream wedding dress can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, it's important to be realistic about your budget and explore all your options to make the most out of it. This article has provided insights into the typical average costs of wedding dresses in Melbourne, along with tips on setting a budget and cutting costs.

We have also highlighted additional expenses such as alterations, accessories, and dress preservation that you need to keep in mind. By following our 10 savvy shopping tips, you can find your perfect wedding dress without breaking the bank. Ready to find your wedding dress? Book an appointment with us and we look forward to meeting you!