Why Are Wedding Dresses Expensive?

Every bride knows that wedding dresses are expensive. Today we will lift the veil on this bridal mystery: why are wedding dresses expensive? Besides preparing for the wedding itself and everything connected with it, there is also the question of the wedding dress.

“Have you got your dress yet?” is one of the most stressful questions for a bride who is planning a wedding. From choosing the design to trying on many dresses, finding your wedding dress is a lot of work – and hard work at that. The main and most important thing to take into account is the price.

Wedding dresses hold a special place in every bride’s heart, as they remain a keepsake of that special day when she said “Yes” to the man of her dreams. The average price of a wedding dress is around BGN 3,000. There are, however, luxury dresses whose prices exceed BGN 7,000–8,000, depending on the complexity and the materials used. Brides tend to ask themselves why wedding dresses are so expensive when they are worn only once in a lifetime. What is the point of investing so much money in one day? To answer these questions, we will lift the curtain and share with you everything that goes into making a wedding dress and what makes the price what it is.

1. The materials used

Wedding dresses have special cuts. They have nothing in common with other evening dresses and are made to look elegant and beautiful. That is why most designers use expensive fabrics such as silk, chiffon, Mikado, stones, pearls and lace, which raise the price of a dress. Cheaper fabrics and materials can be used as an alternative, but then the quality and the very feeling when you put the dress on will not be the same. The fabric used to make your wedding dress is in fact that special “Wow” effect every bride is looking for. Expensive, quality fabrics will make even a dress with a simple design look elegant and stand out from the rest.

2. The designer

Designer dresses are more expensive than ordinary ones because they have unique cuts and are made by world-famous designers. Luxury designer dresses also come in limited series. For example, Justin Alexander’s couture dresses are produced in no more than 50 pieces worldwide. This means you will be one of the few people ever to wear that particular dress. This in itself raises the price and makes the dress special and desirable.

3. The incredible details

Besides the expensive fabrics used to make them, what makes wedding dresses look stunning and elegant are the embellishing details put into them. Hand-sewn beads, hand-sewn lace and flowing appliqués are just some of the most commonly used elements that raise the price of a wedding dress. The more complex the design and elements of a dress, the higher the price. All the lace, beads and embroidery are done by hand, not by machine, which takes a lot of time and care to get the dress perfect.

Other details that increase the price of the dress are the construction, intricate embroidery, curves and specific styles that make a dress attractive and stunning. Since brides cannot wear dark wedding dresses, designers have to make sure the details of the dress will be clearly visible even from a distance. This is not easy at all and requires extra work and sewing. As we all know, every wrong fold or flaw is visible on a white background. That is why, when making a white dress, everything has to be perfectly finished. And that, in turn, again raises the final price.

4. Alterations

Whether you have a dress made or buy one from a shop, you will most likely need alterations – unless your wedding dress fits you perfectly, which happens very rarely. In most boutiques, taking in and shortening are at the shop’s expense. But some brides want major changes to the dress, such as changing the design, adding sleeves or straps, or adding extra elements. This would also make the dress more expensive. Such alterations could cost you an extra BGN 150 to around BGN 500.

5. Seasonal availability

There are months that are considered peak season, when brides plan their weddings. During this season the availability of wedding dresses is limited, as demand is high and some customers buy the samples. If you plan to marry in spring or summer, you will most likely face these problems. If you want to choose a dress you love rather than choose from what is left, make sure you start your search well before the wedding itself. This can be anything from a few months to a year before the wedding.

6. Storage and cleaning

Although these are things you will pay for after the wedding, storing and cleaning your dress is something that adds to the final cost of the dress. Most brides clean their dresses straight after the wedding and put them away. Whether you plan to sell your wedding dress, donate it or simply keep it, it will need professional cleaning, which is yet another expense to plan for.

Why are wedding dresses expensive? Wedding dresses are not expensive without reason. They are the most important part of the wedding. Years later nobody will remember what they ate and drank at your wedding, but they will rave about how you, the bride, wore the most beautiful dress in the world!

Choose the dress in which you truly feel special. Every compromise will weigh on your heart each time you look at your wedding photos. The wedding dress plays the leading role in a bride’s wedding, and the guests look only at her. From the design to the details, everything should be carefully chosen so that the bride is stunning and feels the most beautiful as she walks down the aisle in front of her family and friends.