Where Your Wedding Dress Budget Really Goes
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Wedding dress prices can be eye-watering, and it is not always clear why. Understanding where the money goes can help you spend your budget on what really matters: the dress itself.
The dress
Fabric, lace, beading and hours of skilled work are the true cost of a wedding dress. A heavily embellished gown can take many hours of hand-finishing by specialist artisans.
The brand
A well-known name on the label often adds a significant premium to the price, on top of the cost of making the dress.
The boutique
A traditional bridal boutique has to cover rent, staff, samples and stock. That cost is built into every dress it sells, often adding a large percentage on top of the wholesale price.
Alterations
Most boutique dresses are ordered in a standard size and altered to fit, often over several fittings. Alterations are frequently charged separately and can add hundreds of pounds to the final cost.
How to get more dress for your money
- Buy direct. Removing the middleman means more of your budget goes on craftsmanship.
- Choose made to measure. A dress made to your measurements means most brides need no alterations at all.
- Spread the cost. Paying in instalments can make a dream dress more achievable.
- Check what is included. Delivery, personal service and any adaptations should be clear up front.
The Aeternum approach
There is no boutique and no showroom. We work hand in hand with the specialist European workshops that make our dresses, meet our brides online and deliver free worldwide. Every gown is made to your exact measurements, and you can spread the cost over 3, 6 or 12 months with Shop Pay Instalments at checkout.
Want to talk through your budget? Email us or request a call back at a time that suits you.
Every Aeternum gown is made to your exact measurements by our European workshops, with free tracked delivery worldwide. Explore the collections or book a video call with Kate.
