Are designer gowns worth the cost?

You might dream of a made to measure, couture gown for when you waltz down the aisle, but for many brides the cost of a designer wedding dress is just too high and they opt for an off the rack style instead. So what are the advantages of a designer gown, and are they really worth the extra cost? Here are six of the advantages to choosing a designer wedding gown.

1. Having a dress made is a personal experience

Having a dress made to measure may take a few more fittings than having an off the rack gown altered, but this means you will build up a personal relationship with your dress designer. Each fitting will be a fun experience, where the designer will make you feel like a special valued customer, whereas assistants in bridal shops can be a little offhand or dismissive.

2. It's a unique gown for a once in a lifetime occasion

If all goes to plan you'll only get married once in your life, so it's worth finding a dress that's totally unique and very special to you. Just knowing that your gown is designer, and that it has been made especially for you, will put an extra spring in your step as you walk towards your husband to be.

3. The material will be high quality

Designers making couture dresses will use the finest quality fabric and accessories, and your dress will be exquisitely made. Mass produced off the rack dresses tend to be made with less luxurious materials and they may not be put together quite as perfectly.

4. You can customize your dress

Although off the rack dresses can be altered to fit, and some small customizations can be made, these are very limited. With a designer dress you can have more input into the style of the dress right from the beginning. You can alter the color, material, neckline, or sleeves to suit your exact requirements. Just check the cost of your customizations as they may significantly increase the price of your dress, especially if they require additional fabric.

5. It will fit like a glove

A designer dress will be made with your exact body shape and size in mind so it will fit perfectly. If you are unusually sized, for example if you are a dress size bigger on your top half than on your bottom half, or you are very petite, a designer gown could be ideal for you. Off the rack dresses are designed to meet standard dress sizes and will usually need adjusting to fit properly. A designer gown should feel better than an off the rack dress, even one that has been adjusted, and it will hang just right.

6. It will be worth more if you want to sell it

There are hundred of off the rack gowns available to buy second hand, but many brides find that they don’t save a fortune by buying these, especially if they need to have them cleaned and altered. Buying a second hand designer gown, on the other hand, is often a real bargain, and many brides love the idea of buying a unique couture gown for half its original price. Make sure you send it to them in plenty of time; as it has been made especially for you it will need some alteration.