10 Designer Wedding Gowns For $500 Or Less?

Vera Wang Bridal Gown at Bridepower Retail

Most women only dream of walking down the aisle in a wedding dress by Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier or Alexander McQueen, but with deep discounts available from Internet retailers, consignment stores and sample sales, scoring a designer gown is one dream that can come true.
“It can absolutely be done,” says Jamie Savarese, cofounder of Bride Couture, an online bridal boutique. “You just have to be smart about where you look.”
In Pictures: 15 Designer Wedding Gowns For $500 Or Less

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Brides spend an average of $1,075 on their bridal gowns, according to a 2009 survey by Brides.com, about the least one can normally pay retail for a tulle-layered Vera Wang number, which can go for anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 and up. Alexander McQueen, famously worn by Kate Middleton as she wed Prince William, can range from $3,000 to the tens of thousands.
One way to find those kind of star-caliber gowns on the cheap is by scouring consignment shops and sample sales. Each year, bridal salons purchase between 6 and 16 wedding gowns of a designer’s latest collection in a variety of sizes. The salons then use these gowns as samples to show brides-to-be, explains Erica Dingman, cofounder of Bride Couture. In time, the salon may choose to sell dresses in a sample sale at drastically reduced prices—sometimes 50% to 70% off—if the style is discontinued or to make room for new inventory.
Consignment gown sales offer similarly discounted rates. These businesses act as middle men, providing storefront space for individual sellers, while collecting a percentage of the gown’s purchase price. Consignment dresses are often previously worn (if you count wearing the dress once for your wedding as “worn”) but almost always required to undergo professional cleaning before being resold. Just like new and at a fraction of the original retail cost.
A cursory web skimming should also yield a plethora of second-hand or sample gowns. Armed with the style number of a dress you fancy (a code found on most price tags), you can seek out the best deals on that particular piece. Or just peruse by key words. A recent search for discount Vera Wang unearthed a rhinestone-embellished gown at Bridepower Retail for just $399—92% off the original design house price of $5,000. Likewise, eBay searches frequently turn up auctions for Monique Lhuillier and Carolina Herrera gowns with affordable bidding ranges in the low hundreds.
Bargain gown not the size you’re looking for? Keep in mind that dresses can be sized up or down a few notches by a professional seamstress. A nip in the waist and adjusting the length can be just enough to make a good deal go the mile. Just be sure to confirm with a tailor that the dress is made of material that can be altered to fit before you buy it. In order to get a good look, Linda Lightman, proprietress of Linda’s Stuff, encourages brides to buy from sellers who accept returns. “We have a generous return policy that allows buyers at least a full week to decide if they wish to keep an item or not,” Lightman says.
Brides can even get some return on investment after the wedding—if they’re willing to part with the dress. Lightman offers 75% of the sale price for items that sell for more than $1,000. One other way to put a little cash back in the bank when the big day is over.

Vera Wang at Bridepower Retail

(Photo at top left)
Retail: $5,000
Selling Price: $399
Vera Wang opened her flagship boutique in New York City's Carlisle Hotel in 1990 and went on to become a wedding fashion icon. Her collections are synonymous with sophisticated drama and feminine detailing.

Reem Acra at Bridepower

Retail: $3,500
Selling Price: $499
Acra's bridal collections can be found in some of the most exclusive retailers around the globe. Her following includes Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Beyonce Knowles, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Eva Longoria as well as royal families the world over. Since 1997, her wedding designs have become known for their ethereal quality, elegance and impeccable construction.

Carolina Herrera at Bridepower

Retail: $5,000
Selling Price: $499
A 2008 winner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America award, Herrera's become world-renowned for both ready-to-wear and bridal collections that evoke simple elegance and classicism. This A-line silk strapless gown with figure-flattering black lace insets on either side of the waist is signature Herrera without the hefty price tag.

Vera Wang at Linda's Stuff

Selling Price: $199
Wang designed the bridal gowns Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson wore in the film "Bride Wars" but some stars selected Vera Wang for their walk down the aisle in real life including: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, and Sharon Stone. The bead-frosted waistband above the full bell skirt of this gown is much like the Wang gown Chelsea Clinton wore at her July wedding last year.

Rena Koh at Linda's Stuff

Selling Price: $199
Malaysian born Rena Koh began her career in 1989, won "Best Collection" at the Hong Kong fashion week in 1993 and had three gowns awarded during the 1997 British Bridal awards. Koh's designs blend Asian elements with Western couture touches.

Paula Varsalona at Linda's Stuff

Selling Price: $199
Internationally recognized as one of the premier couture designers of bridal apparel, Varsalona has been in the business for more than 35 years. Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson wore Varsalona when she snagged the 2007 SAG award for best actress.

Badgley Mischka at PreOwned
WeddingDresses.com

Retail: $1,000
Selling Price: $495
Mark Badgley and James Mischka have been hailed by Vogue as one of the top 10 American designers while earning a loyal following among celebrities including Julia Roberts, Madonna, Helen Mirren and Queen Latifah.

Nicole Miller Sheath at PreOwned
WeddingDresses.com

Retail: $550
Selling Price: $400
A long-standing member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Nicole Miller created designs that were celebrity red carpet picks by the likes of Angelina Jolie before they became bridal gowns. Miller's impeccable draping and bias-cut tailoring can be bought for a steal.

Lazaro at PreOwned
WeddingDresses.com

Retail: $2,350
Selling Price: $500
Cuban-born bridal designer Lazaro is best known for blending vintage details, floral embellishments and hand-beading. Lazaro's hallmark craftsmanship combined with sumptuous fabrics gives this strapless gem of frothy tulle an haute couture feel.

Alexander McQueen at Little Fashion Treasury via eBay

Retail: $3,975
Selling Price: Best offer
Kate Middleton famously chose a design from the house of Alexander McQueen for her celebrated nuptials to Prince William. This 100% silk gown with cowl neckline, plunging back and original "smoke" print is from the late designer's 2009 collection. Bidding on eBay can snag a dress for much lower than in-store prices.
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