The 13 Best Places to Buy (or Rent) Affordable Wedding Dresses

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$2,000 is a lot to spend on a dress you’ll only wear once — so naturally, people are asking where they can find the best affordable wedding dresses. And since the chances of getting invited to the Met Gala and rewearing the dress are quite slim, just think of what that money could go toward instead.

No matter what your wedding looks like, you still need a dress or, at the very least, something fancy and fun to commemorate the occasion. Read ahead to shop our selection of affordable wedding dresses that will fit any type of bride or bridal event.

So, you’re on the hunt for the best affordable wedding dresses?

➼ FAQs
➼ Best wedding dresses under $200
➼ Best wedding dresses under $500
➼ Best wedding dresses under $1,000
➼ Our experts

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Best Wedding Dresses Under $200

It’s possible. Even the stars have wed in affordable ensembles — see Emily Ratajkowski’s yellow wedding suit from Zara. A woman on TikTok even went viral for her $30 Shein gown. You can try your hand on the Zara sales floor, or you can consider perusing the brands with under-$200 options below.

Lulu’s

You won’t find anything over $500 here; even its “Luxe Bridal” collection with more intricate silhouettes and designs falls in the $200 to $300 range. There are reviews on most dresses if you’re still iffy about buying a very affordable wedding dress online. Pro tip: Look for the dresses with four or more stars, as well as customer photos along with reviews, like the Loveliest Dream Satin Jacquard dress below. One customer shared a photo of herself in the dress on her wedding day and called it “Stunning!” Now, if that doesn’t assure you, I don’t know what does.

ASOS

When you first think of ASOS, you think, How am I going to find anything, let alone bridal looks? Well, you can! Surprise — ASOS offers more than jeans and trendy summer dresses. In fact, it has quite a few bridal options. Nothing is over $600, and there are lots of under-$200 options, including in tall, petite, and plus sizes. It’s very likely you can stock up on all your wedding gear here and even throw in a few outfits for the honeymoon.

Rent the Runway

Sometimes it’s hard to grapple with the fact that you’re paying for a dress that you’re only going to wear once. So instead of buying a dress, you can rent a dress, which is far cheaper than actually buying it. Save yourself the money and closet space by renting a look for a fraction of the sales price. And currently, Rent the Runway has a spotlight on bridal looks in its “For the Bride” section. While the options for super-fancy white gowns are somewhat limited, there are plenty of white and off-white dresses, jumpsuits, and separates. Just be sure to secure your rental ahead of time to avoid any mishaps.

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Best Wedding Dresses Under $500

This is kind of a sweet spot when it comes to shopping for dresses online. Even the aforementioned sites have tons of options in this price range. If you’re willing to pay a little more, here’s where to look.

Reformation

Believe it or not, you can buy more at Reformation than just your favorite summertime linen dresses, sexy structured tops, and trending denim. Known for its “slutty wallpaper” wedding-guest dresses, the popular brand also makes pretty dresses for all of your bridal occasions — even a city-hall wedding. Go to it for simple yet elegant silhouettes and sustainability. Most of its white dresses are available in other colors and patterns. Sizes are available in up to 3X, but there aren’t as many options as sizes go up.

Cocomelody

For the bride who wants to go full bridal with a custom gown on her wedding day but might not have that full bridal budget, we thank God for bridal brands like Cocomelody. Created with the mission of presenting brides with affordable and easily customizable gowns that also come in a vast variety of size ranges, Cocomelody is all about making each and every bride feel special with a tailored bridal experience. The company is ideal for brides who like the idea of designing their own look, even allowing the bride to start from square one with swatches so she can get a feel for fabrics and colors, before working with in-house designers to customize her special look (most likely under $500).

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Best Wedding Dresses Under $1,500

You have money and you’re not afraid to spend it. There are more than enough dresses for you to shop in this range.

Sachin & Babi

As a longtime fan of Sachin & Babi’s elegant evening wear, I’d easily recommend its bridal collection, which translates its occasionwear designs into wedding-dress ensembles. Perfect for the bride who dreams of a swoon-worthy wedding dress without the hefty price tag, Sachin & Babi caters to the romantic everyday bride who enjoys understated elegance — think very pretty silhouettes and dresses with the tiniest jeweled details, bows, and appliqués — but also with fanciful flare. In addition to gowns, Sachin & Babi also specializes in bridal separates, jumpsuits, and accessories.

BHLDN

Known for its festive occasionwear and whimsical bridal dresses, BHLDN can easily be your bridal one-stop shop. As a sister site to Anthropologie, BHLDN offers both its own brand and a handful of other bridal favorites, like Tadashi Shoji, Watters, and Willowby. Here, you can find everything from classic sheath gowns to fairy-tale-like flowy frocks. And if you’re not a gown girl, or you’re looking for a fun mini or midi option, BHLDN has a wide range of bridal occasion looks to suit any kind of bride, including the bedazzled fringe midi below.

Jenny Yoo

If you’ve been in a wedding or two, it’s very likely you’ve worn Jenny Woo. A fan favorite in the bridal space for extremely elegant and versatile (and not to mention, actually cute) bridesmaid-dress options, Jenny Woo also boasts beautiful bridal gowns. So why let your bridal party have all the fun?

Net-a-Porter

An online mecca for most of the world’s top designer brands, it’s no surprise that Net-a-Porter can also be your go-to retailer for bridal ensembles. And while Net is known for its high-end price tags due its stock of luxury brands, believe it or not, you can still find some fabulous gowns under $1500. Featuring top bridal brands like Danielle Frankel, HalfPenny London, and Alex Perry, as well as ready-to-wear brands like 16 Arlington and Galvan, Net boasts a chic collection of wedding gowns and bridal occasions options — some of which you can nab for an affordable price.

Cult Gaia

Designed to make you “look twice,” Cult Gaia is the cool-girl brand that has made a name for itself in the contemporary fashion world with its geometric art-chic looks. And while the brand doesn’t have a designated bridal section, every season, Cult Gaia presents a beautiful selection of “Summer Whites” — a range of gowns and dresses ideal for wedding festivities and bridal events alike. Below are just a few selections fit for a summer bride.

RIXO

If there’s one brand that knows a thing or two about dresses, it’s Rixo. The boho-mod British brand, known for its flouncy, frilly frocks filled with colorful patterns and textures, is one of my personal go-tos for fun, feminine, and easy clothing. Like many contemporary brands today, Rixo has entered the bridal space with its wedding-dress line (even boasting its bridal boutique in the brand’s London flagship store). Like its everyday designs, Rixo’s bridal looks are romantic and feature sequin and feather minis, as well as vintage-inspired silk gowns.

Amsale

If you’re one of those brides who knows their bridal designers, then you’re certainly familiar with Amsale and probably have it on the top of your list for bridal appointments. Often credited as “the inventor of the modern wedding dress,” Amsale has become synonymous with the classic bride, creating elegant and timeless dresses with traditional fabrics such as silk, crêpe, and organza, as well as artful appliqués and bow and floral accents. And they are anything but boring.

Ssense

Ssense is not only in charge of fashion’s favorite sale. It has recently introduced Ssense Bridal, where both the bride and the groom can find their unique wedding attire. From dresses and shoes to veils and jewelry, bid adieu to a wedding wardrobe that abides by old rules and welcome independent designers instead.

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FAQs

What should you keep in mind when purchasing an affordable wedding dress?

Besides the price? How nice the dress actually is and if it fits your personal style and overall wedding plans. Lundyn Carter, co-founder of wedding-dress rental boutique Laine London, explains that both where you’re getting married and what your plans are for the big day are key.

If you want to spend the night dancing, Carter recommends breathable fabrics that let you move around. A mermaid dress might look great on the ’gram, but it’s no use if you can only move two inches. However, if you’re really committed to that mermaid gown, Carter recommends the option of a second dress, which is getting more popular, as destination weddings make their big return.

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Our experts