There’s no denying that weddings are expensive! They can quickly add up but one way you can save money is by learning how to thrift a wedding dress.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding on a tight budget of $2,000, we became creative on ways to save money. My thrifted wedding dress was one way we saved big time.
However, when you consider thrifting your wedding dress you may be concerned with finding the perfect dress, how it will look, and what the quality will be. After all, this is your wedding day, and those pictures and memories will last your lifetime.
Let me reassure you that you can have a thrifted wedding dress, a cheap wedding, and save money all while keeping things beautiful! My husband and I did it and we have zero regrets.
Related Post: How To Accomplish A Gorgeous Wedding For Only $2,000
And I know you can do it too! Let’s dive into how to thrift a wedding dress and have the beautiful wedding of your dreams…
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Why You Should Thrift Your Wedding Dress
It’s no secret that we live in a world focused on immediate gratification and convenience. Disposables are constantly at our fingertips and we can throw away anything and buy a new, greater version.
Clothing is one of the items that constantly gets thrown away and purchased again. Thousands and thousands of articles of clothing end up in landfills each day.
Wedding dresses are the number one clothing item that is only worn once!
Seriously, when we take a step back and think about it, isn’t it crazy that we spend usually hundreds of dollars on a dress we will wear for only a few hours?
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Most people leave their wedding with a wedding dress in nearly brand-new condition and then store it away in a box to maybe be seen once or twice again.
I understand it is a sentimental item, yet it still seems pretty silly and wasteful to me.
And that’s why the number one reason why you should thrift your wedding dress is simply that it is less wasteful. There is no reason why the thousands of wedding dresses worn each year can’t be worn again.
But it’s not just about saving the earth. Hopefully, this could be the first step into a more simple, and minimal lifestyle.
When you consider how to thrift a wedding dress, remember that you are taking a positive first step towards a life of less clutter and more meaningful moments.
Lastly, it saves you money! So let’s talk about where you can find the best-thrifted wedding dresses.
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Where To Look For A Thrifted Wedding Dress
There are several places where you can score beautiful wedding dresses for a fraction of the cost! Let’s start with the obvious.
Local thrift stores are easy and convenient. Just do a quick internet search for thrift stores in your area and make a day out of it! There is also a Goodwill in almost every town. Drive around and see what you can find.
Of course, the inconvenience aspect is that you will have to dig through the racks. Wedding dresses can also be somewhat of a seasonal item. So maybe in the winter months, you stop in and you and there are 10 dresses to choose from, but then in the spring, perhaps there are none.
When you are looking for advice on how to thrift a wedding dress, remember that it is a rewarding experience. It just often requires some hard work and patience. This is especially true for how picky you are when it comes to the dress you are looking for.
I actually didn’t find my thrifted wedding dress at a local thrift store. Instead, I searched online.
I downloaded the app Poshmark, a place where you can post re-sell your old clothing or buy it from others. Basically, the new version of online thrift shopping without the middle man.
On Poshmark, I searched for high-end wedding dresses that I knew people would be resold for a small fraction of what they were originally retail price. I started with BHLDN, the Anthropology brand for their bridal line.
I stumbled upon a few dresses and eventually found one I just adored. The pictures showed the dress in great condition and the girl who owned the dress was nearly the exact same size as me.
I paid $100 for the dress and it arrived on my doorstep a couple of days later. When I tried on the dress it fit perfectly and I was in love with it!
I had no idea that I could get such a beautiful dress for such a little cost. Plus, it was a dress I would not have been able to afford on my own if I paid the retail price.
If you are wondering how to thrift a wedding dress, I highly suggest looking on Poshmark for your thrifted wedding dress! If you don’t seem to have luck there, check out other online resale shops or spend a day browsing thrift shops in your area.
How To Update Your Thrifted Wedding Dress
Remember, when you are thrifting your wedding dress you don’t need to look for your perfect size and style – you can update anything you want and create the dress of your dreams!
When you consider what you want to update, start with the sizing. Can you make the alterations yourself or will you need to hire a seamstress?
My thrifted wedding dress fit me almost perfectly, but I did have a seamstress take a bit of length off of the bottom when I chose what shoes I would be wearing.
Next, think about the style of the dress and how you can make it unique to your personality. Pinterest is a great place to start searching for inspiration. If you are handy with a sewing machine you could make these updates yourself, but if not, a few extra dollars to may a seamstress may be worth it.
Updating the color of the dress can be difficult to do. Don’t purchase a thrifted wedding dress that has stains or is dis-colored in areas assuming you can remove the stains or update the color. It likely will not be easy because you just don’t know exactly how old the dress is.
Lastly, what accessories could you add to the dress to make it truly pop? I added a flower crown to my hair the day of our wedding because my dress was already so detailed with beading. This is the fun part, so get creative!
How To Thrift A Wedding Dress
Start with a game plan. What types of dresses look good on you? What style are you going for? Do you have a budget?
Remember the key emotional factors: it takes time, patience, and thinking outside of the box. Don’t give up if you are having trouble finding your thrifted wedding dress. It would probably take just as long even if you weren’t thrifting it!
Have some wiggle room in your budget. Having some extra money aside for alterations could mean that you can create a one-of-a-kind unique dress that suits you perfectly!
With these tips and tricks in mind, I wish you the best of luck as you start your search for your thrifted wedding dress.
Let me know in the comments below, what will you take away from this blog post on how to thrift a wedding dress? I can’t wait to hear!
Kelsey at GoodPointGrandma
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This is such a cool idea. I love the idea of taking an existing dress and making it your own. Reminds me of the mice and Cinderella.
Haha good point!
What a clever idea, Kelsey! I love how you said to start out wit sizing; that is so important! I altered a few bridesmaid dresses for a friend, and it made a huge difference once it fit properly. Thrifting is such a great way to save money!
Thanks Sarah – yes I love thrifting!
Show us photos!! I’d love to see your dress!
Ah yes I totally forgot to add them…I’m on it!
Okay, need to see more of your dress! LOVE thrifting and I totally think thrifting something so special is special. One of my best friends thrifted her dress for $5 and it only needed a tiny couple of things adjusted. It was beautiful!
Wow that is amazing to hear!