What I’d Wear to My Wedding If I Could Do It Again
Let me preface this story by saying I absolutely loved my wedding dress. I designed it myself and had it custom made from French lace and silk. It was beautiful. But, if I could do it all over again, I would.
Why? Namely because I spent so much more on it than I had originally anticipated—cutting into our overall wedding budget like an unstoppable knife through butter. And now, looking back, even though it was a stunning dress, I wore it for a grand total of six hours, and for the past two years, it has lived in a plastic bag in the back of my closet. Insert guilt-ridden face emoji here.
So I have one piece of advice for anyone who is starting the overwhelming yet exciting task of wedding dress shopping: Don’t try on dresses that are out of your budget. It’s a slippery slope! Nothing will compare to that high-priced dress. And you’ll want it. Bad. Trust me. If you have a wedding dress budget (which 99% of us do), then I encourage you to stay within it. And maybe even try to do save a few dollars. Of course, you want your dress to be memorable (and it will be!), but you don’t have to break the bank or endure added financial stress to look spectacular on your big day.
Luckily, there are so many beautiful wedding gowns out there at affordable price points. You will find the one—with a little perseverance… (and Prosecco.) Needless to say, if I hadn’t chosen my dress, I would have gone for one of these stunning options below, all priced at $1500 or less. Insert smiley emoji here!
Delicate lace and a stylish cutout back elevate this timeless silhouette.Available in sizes 0 to 16.
A stunning modern gown with a touch of nostalgia.Available in sizes 0 to 16.
Reformation knows how to give us an ultra-flattering silhouette in vintage lace.Available in sizes 24 to 32.
The perfect option for the modern bride.Available in sizes S.
We love the pearl embellishment on this ethereal silhouette.Available in sizes 0 to 14.
Perfect for everything from an outdoor rustic wedding to a church service.Available in sizes XS to L.
Classic, elegant, romantic. And you can't beat the price.Available in sizes 00 to 16.
Sway beautifully on your first dance in this gorgeous crystal and tulle gown.Available in sizes UK6 to UK14.
A sweeping train will photograph beautifully.Available in sizes 00 to 16.
Okay, if you're going to go over the $1500 mark ever so slightly, then do it with this striking celestial number. Sizes available upon request.
For more wedding dress advice, check out these wedding dress silhouettes for every style.
Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.
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