Average Cost Of Wedding Dress In 2023

Average cost of a wedding dress cost is between $1,900 to $2,500. The price may vary depending on the brand, fabrics, and designs.

According to The Knot, 7% of your wedding budget is spent on the attires of both bride and groom. The percentage includes suits, gowns, shoes, and accessories like jewelry and cufflinks. 

Store-bought dresses can rarely fit perfectly so the brides have to go through several alterations and customizations for the right size. The price of the gown may increase if alteration and custom additions are made.

Average Cost of Wedding Dress Alterations

On average brides spend $80 to $590 on alteration and with customization women pay around $1,000. The cost may differ depending on the material, complexity of the modification, and seamstress.

As per Wedding Frontier,  the alterations can be divided into two categories basic hemming and customization. The general prices for the alterations are listed below:

Basic Hemming

• Adjusting the hem – $100 to $250
• Adjusting the side seams – $30 to $100 (per side)
• Adjusting the side of the skirt or bodice – $20 to $30
• Reducing around the shoulders – $45 to $50
• Adjusting the length of straps – $20 to $40

Customization

• Adding straps – $50 to $250
• Adding a belt or sash – $25 to $35
• Adding a bustle – $20 to $250
• Adding sleeves – $200 to $400
• Modifying the design of the back – Over $200
• Bead work – Around $30 per hour
• Changing the zipper to corset – Over $150
• Adjusting the length of the train – Over $250

When you are trying to be budget-friendly price comes in your way and sadly, you have to say goodbye to the dress that you love. Every gown is beautiful, but finding one dress that checks all your design and fabric criteria is essential.

Several bridal shops and brands have the perfect design dress at a reasonable price. You might not believe it but some gowns within the low to medium range can give you a luxurious look.

We have listed out the best designs from several brands and their prices.

Wedding Dress Styles

There are endless options of wedding gown designs available in the market. Here are some of the popular styles that are loved by every bride-to-be.

1. A-Line

A-line style dress appears to be fitted at the top and wide at the bottom like the shape of an A. This style of dress is easy to be paired with different necklines and sleeves.

It is also known to be one of the most timeless, iconic, and classic styles for bridal gowns. Some of the top picks for A-line gowns include:

• Maggie Sotterro – $1500 – $1999
• Rebecca Ingram – $1000 – $1499
• Olivia Bottega – $500 – $999
• Morilee by Madeline Gardner – $1000 – $1499
• Allure Romance – $1000 – $1499

2. Ball Gown

If you want to feel like a princess on your big day then a ball gown-style dress is the one. This silhouette has a fitted bodice and dramatically flared skirt making it a classic look.

Best ball gown style attires for your big day include:

• Abella – $1000 – $1499
• Sottero and Midgley – $1500 – $1999
• Maggie Sottero – $1500 – $1999
• Olivia Bottega – $2000 – $2499
• Casablanca Bridal – $1500 – $1999

3. Mermaid

Mermaid/Fishtail style hugs the length of the body before flaring out at the knees. The mermaid-style gowns are glamorous and give a modern look.

If you want a subtle mermaid style then the trumpet silhouette is the one. It has softer flares which begin higher up the legs.

Get your mermaid-style bridal gown from the best shops and designers.

• Casablanca Bridal – $1500 – $1999
• Abella – $1500 – $1999
• Rebecca Ingram – $1000 – $1499
• Moonlight Couture – $2000 – $2499
• Simply Val Stefani – $1500 – $1999
• ÉTOILE – $1500 – $1999
• AW Bridal – $500 – $999

Wedding Dress Sleeves

Selecting the sleeves of the dress is important in order to match the silhouette of the bridal gown. The mismatch can ruin the style of the dress.

Here are some of the sleeve styles that most brides love to incorporate in their gowns.

• Long Sleeves
• Strapless
• Cap Sleeves
• One shoulder
• Off-the-shoulder

Wedding Dress Necklines

The necklines help to enhance the beauty of the bridal gown styles. When you go for your bridal shopping make sure to look out for the below-listed necklines.

• Sweetheart
• Halter neck
• V-neck
• Square neckline

Wedding Dress Fabrics

Understanding the fabrics used in bridal gowns is essential for the perfect dress. The wrong fabric can ruin the design and structure of the dress. So, before you search for your bridal attire make sure to learn about the most used fabric.

Here are some of the popular materials used for bridal attires.

• Satin
• Chiffon
• Charmeuse
• Organza
• Tulle
• Lace

If you are a budget-conscious bride then the price becomes your enemy. Finding a beautiful bridal outfit becomes hard due to budget limits.

You can achieve the best bridal look with an affordable price tag as well. There are four retail stores known to sell beautiful budget-friendly wedding attire for your big. So, if you are tight on budget then these shops are the choice.

1. Lulus ($25 – $500)
2. Anthropologie ($200 – $3000)
3. Olivia Bottega (less than $2000)
4. Nearly Newlywed ($200 – $10,000 and above)

Bridal Gowns Under $500

Best wedding looks under $500.

1. Azazie Laylah Gown, $269

2. Lulus Love Galore White Mermaid Maxi Dress, $90

3. Jenny Yoo Collection Zara One-Shoulder Sequin Column Gown, $495

4. AW Bridal Eveleen Wedding Dress, $349

5. Lulus Revel in the Magic White Strapless Maxi Dress With Pockets, $128

Wedding Dress Under $1000

Classic, elegant, and gorgeous outfits under $1000.

1. AW Bridal Parsley Wedding Dress, $550

2. Reformation Ronda Silk Dress, $748

3. Jenny by Jenny Yoo Marnie Bias-Cut Satin V-Neck Scoop-Back Wedding Gown, $975

4. Olivia Bottega Glitter Mermaid Wedding Dress Lovisa with Leg Slit, $980

5. Jenny by Jenny Yoo Bennett Fit & Flare Sweetheart Wedding Gown, $995

Bridal Dress Under $2000

Beautiful bridal outfits to try under $2000.

1. Reev Bridal Joan Gown, $1500

2. Willowby Galeta Gown, $1892

3. Wtoo by Watters Jaya V-Neck Taffeta A-Line Wedding Gown, $1095

4. Olivia Bottega Lace Ball Gown Elmi, $1899

5. Reev Bridal Gia Gown, $1610

Designer Wedding Gowns

Several designers such as Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, and Carolina Herrera, are known for their beautiful bridal collections. The price for designer gowns ranges from $2000 to $10000 and over.

Designer gowns are known for soft fabrics, distinctive designs, and classic yet modern styles.

A wedding dress is the most essential item for a bride on their big day. Women start to search for the perfect bridal gown several months before the ceremony.

Several reports suggest that the price of bridal gowns has been increasing every year. When the bride’s hands are tied by the budget they struggle to find the perfect attire at a reasonable price.

According to ABC News, the average price of bridal dresses in 2009 was $1,072 and it increased by 20% in 2011, making the average cost $1,289.

In 2022, The Balance published a report showcasing the percent change in wedding expenses since 2019. From 2019 to 2022, the price of wedding attire increased by 20%. The mean price of the bridal outfit in 2019 and 2022 was $1,600 and $1,900 respectively.

As per The Knot Study, the mean cost of a bride’s outfit was $1800. A year later, it increased by $100.