Factors That Increase the Cost of Your Wedding Dress

There's a variety of factors that go into the cost of your dream wedding gown. Although the average bride spends $1,500-$2,000 according to Bride.com and The Knot, that's often not representative of all those gorgeous gowns you get goggly eyes for while swiping through Pinterest. "Well how much does it cost," you ask? Unfortunately, it's not that easy to quantify because there are so many variables that go into pricing out a gown, I figure, the least I can do is give you a guide in understanding all the factors that can contribute to you going over that average $2,000 price tag.

1. Where It's Made: The location where a wedding dress is manufactured can significantly impact its cost. Dresses made in countries with lower labor and production costs may be more affordable than those produced in high-cost regions due to labor, materials, and overhead expenses.

2. Fabric: The type and quality of fabric used in a wedding dress can greatly influence its price. Premium materials like silk, lace, or designer-exclusive fabrics can increase the cost compared to more common materials.

3. Craftsmanship: A wedding dress that requires intricate and detailed craftsmanship, such as hand-sewn beading or embroidery, will typically cost more than a simpler design with less labor-intensive work.

4. Internal Structure: Dresses with built-in corsets, boning, or complex structural elements often cost more due to the additional materials and labor needed to create a structured and supportive fit.

5. Embellishment: The level of embellishment, including sequins, crystals, pearls, and appliques, can significantly raise the cost of a wedding dress. Intricate embellishments require skilled artisans and more time to create.

6. The Designer: Wedding dresses designed by renowned fashion designers or luxury brands often come with a premium price tag because of their reputation and design expertise.

7. Alterations: Customized alterations to achieve a perfect fit can increase the cost of a wedding dress. These alterations ensure that the dress suits the bride's unique body shape and preferences.

8. Modifications: Any changes or modifications to the original dress design, whether it's adjusting the neckline, adding sleeves, or changing the silhouette, can add to the overall cost.

9. Custom Dress Starting from Scratch: When a dress is custom-made entirely from scratch to match the bride's specific vision and measurements, it requires more time, effort, and materials, which can be more expensive.

10. Train Length and Design: A longer and more elaborate train design, such as a cathedral or royal train, can raise the cost due to the added fabric and intricate detailing.

Ultimately, the cost of a wedding dress depends on a combination of these factors, and brides often make choices based on their budget, style preferences, and the level of personalization they desire. It's not uncommon for brides to go into shops and learn that the dress they want costs more than the average cost of a wedding dress according to Bride.com and The Knot. So, before you go dress shopping, reference the stores website to learn the price range of the gowns that they offer, and understand that ultimately the higher quality gown, the locally made gown, the dress with the long dramatic train, or the dress with all the bling will ultimately cost you more. From there you can guesstimate where you'll fall within the range of the bridal salons offering.

Want to get a better idea of pricing for our collection gowns and custom gowns? Not a problem, we can definitely shed light on our own gowns, just shoot us an email at info@ellenellebridal.com and type, Pricing Guide for your preferred gown type (Custom or Collection Gown).