AD/GIFTED | Getting married and arranging the wedding can run into several thousands of pounds these days. So what do you do if your budget doesn’t match your plans? Well, there are lots of ways you can economise, and your wedding outfit is one of them. So here are some affordable wedding outfit ideas for brides on a budget, not forgetting it’s also your chance to add your own personal touch to your day too – win, win.
Five Affordable Wedding Outfit Ideas
The old “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” adage is well worth remembering. After all, who says everything has to be brand new on the day? How much nicer to wear something that a family member has treasured in the past, don’t you think? So, with that in mind…
The Dress
If a brand new wedding dress is beyond your means, and your mother’s wedding dress has vanished over the years (true story, sob), why not consider a vintage or second-hand dress instead? If you can’t find what you want in a charity shop, there are masses of wedding sites selling pre-loved dresses. And there’s nothing to stop you personalising an older dress with extra embroidery or embellishments. You could take the hem up, swap out the train, the possibilities are endless. And upcycling is considerably cheaper and more sustainable than buying a new dress.
The Veil
Veils tend to be fairly delicate affairs, so finding a second hand one that’s still in pristine condition might be more of a challenge. But you don’t have to break the bank, there are some very pretty budget-friendly wedding veils around. And sometimes a simpler design can give your wedding outfit an extra elegant and special touch.
The Jewellery
Rings aside, jewellery is an essential item on any list of wedding outfit ideas. A lot will depend on how ornate your dress is. While you may not want the full focus to be on your earrings, necklace and bracelet, that’s not to say you don’t want a little subtle sparkle on your big day either. But if you’re not lucky enough to borrow some suitable jewellery, why not treat yourself to something that you know you can wear again, after the wedding?
This pretty gold and crystal bracelet*, for example, is perfect for a wedding and for a bride on a budget. But it would look equally lovely on a dinner date (especially your wedding anniversary!). The candlelight would really make those crystals shine.
And these delicate leafy gold and pearl drop earrings offer an understated option for a bride who doesn’t want her jewellery to be the main focus. But they’d also add a sophisticated touch to a plain white shirt in the office afterwards, for example. Many women favour gold hoops with a white shirt (you can never go wrong with hoops) but these gorgeous gold and pearl earrings are something just a little different, don’t you think?
The Shoes
If white shoes aren’t for you (and let’s face it, they do have a limited range of outings), why not treat yourself to some gold or silver ballet slippers, which you can wear again and again? Or, if your wedding is on a beach or in a more informal location, maybe even some sparkly flip flops, like I wore at my wedding? After all, it’s your wedding, so no better time to make your own rules while keeping to your budget at the same time.
The Flowers
Can you imagine how lovely and eco-friendly it would be to create bridal bouquet and groom’s buttonhole from flowers you’ve grown yourself? Even if you only have a small garden or window box, there’s really nothing to stop you growing some blooms and foliage of your own. Think a few white shrub rose heads, with some sprigs of lavender, rosemary or thyme, and set off by some green ferns or ivy fronds. Gorgeous, personal, and super budget friendly, even if you do need to plan some time in advance!
Other Weddings Outfit Ideas to Consider
So what do you think of these ideas? Have you tried any of them before? While I certainly don’t want to be a Grinch and pour cold water on anyone’s special day, I do struggle with concept of spending a fairly large sum on money on an outfit I’ll never wear again. So with wedding prices varying so dramatically, the idea of wearing sustainable clothing, using eco-friendly flowers, and adding my own personal touches to my wedding outfit is one that I can very much get on board with and feel excited about! What about you?
Are you planning your wedding soon? Do you have a budget to stick to too? How do you feel about vintage dresses and growing your own flowers? Have you got any other wedding outfit ideas or tips for other brides on a budget?
* This post features gifted items but all opinions are my own.
Great tips! I love the idea of getting a secondhand dress instead of spending so much on a dress you only wear once.
Thank you! I definitely do too, although I realise it’s not in everyone’s dream wedding plan 🙂
This jewellery is gorgeous! I had my wedding on a budget – we only spent about £1,500 in total. I bought my dress online without even trying it on first! Luckily it was perfect. It wasn’t second hand but it was in the sale so I snapped it up for less than £100. In my opinion you really don’t need to spend thousands of pounds to have an amazing day.
That’s a really good wedding budget and a bargain wedding dress too. I’m glad you agree, I mean no shade on those that want to spend a lot, but personally I’d prefer to use that money for something else!
These jewellery pieces are stunning especially the earrings. I’ve always really loved the idea of thrifting a vintage wedding dress and upcycling it as they can look stunning x
They are so gorgeous, aren’t they? And yes, I think vintage dresses are gorgeous, you can find some beautiful and unusual pieces if you’re lucky! x
We borrowed some jewellery on our wedding day and we bought new ones later. Thank you for sharing.
That’s a really good idea! I’m glad you liked this post 🙂
Great tips here. I have my outfit sorted for my wedding but trying to make savings where I can.
I got a total bargain on my veil, £10 from a Facebook page, and it’s stunning x
Thank you, and wow, that’s an amazing bargain, well done you! X
Some really great ideas here. I borrowed a veil and a hoop skirt from friends. There’s no need to purchase your own as there’s so many floating around. I donated them (with friends permission!) to a charity shop after as well. I bought cheap white silk shoes from a brand where they will dye them for you after. That way 2 pairs of shoes for the price of one because when else will you need white silk heels??? For jewellery I borrowed a pair of nice earrings from my mum. It was special to wear something of hers and it was cost free!
Thank you – and I love your tips too, especially the one about buying shoes from a brand that will dye them for you afterwards, that’s such a good idea. As is upcyling whenever possible!
Wonderful tips. Wedding can be a great time to wear something sentimental and vintage.
Thank you, and yes, I couldn’t agree more, it’s the perfect time 🙂
Great tips and advice!
Mark / Mark’s Travel Journal
Thank you, I’m glad it was helpful 🙂
I love these ideas so much – it’s so ingrained in our society and culture that you need to spend a fortune on a wedding but it can often detract from the real reason that should be behind the wedding! These tips make for the perfect day and keep focus on the true meaning of the day, which so often gets lost these days!
Yessssss, that’s exactly how I feel. The focus ought to be on the couple on the day, not anything else. It’s so easy to get carried away with planning and “stuff” but, at the end of the day, it’s only one day. Thank you for your comment!
I spent a ridiculous amount of money on my wedding dress, but as a plus-size bride it was hard to even find a new one that fit, so I don’t regret it. Saying that I wore a veil my second cousin gave me and pearl jewellery that had been my granny’s, so I felt like I had nice, personal touches as well. The pieces you’ve featured are beautiful too – I like the earrings a lot! I really like the idea of using flowers you’ve grown yourself! Blair’s sister-in-law created the buttonholes for us but it would’ve been even better if they’d come from our own garden!
Beth x
I hope you don’t think I was being too down on people who buy a new dress? I just mean that if you’re on a budget then preloved could be a great way to go. But wearing family jewellery is such a good feeling, although if you don’t have any to borrow then yes, beautiful budget jewellery like these pieces are great. And I’m glad you approve of home grown flowers – lucky you to have yours made by family too! x
I’m not even engaged yet but these posts make me so excited for when I do get engaged. I love weddings and can’t wait to plan mine. All of the jewellery in this post are so pretty especially the bracelet! X
Ah, that’s so sweet! And yes, planning a big day is really fun 🙂 The jewellery is so pretty, and so versatile too, just perfect! x
I’ve always loved the idea of personalizing an older dress. I wore my mother’s dress, but we changed it up. It was a high-neck dress with the 80s pouf sleeves when she got married. By the time I walked down the aisle it was nearly backless, sweetheart neckline with delicate ribbon style straps – but both dresses showed off the incredible embroidery on the bodice 🙂
This sounds absolutely lovely. I really wanted to do something with my mother’s elegant and simple velvet dress but it got mislaid over time so I couldn’t sadly. Your upcycling version sounds perfect 🙂
Although I’m not getting married anytime soon (unless prince charming comes along haha) I love reading about them and watching wedding programmes so this post was right up my alley – It’s so cool that you’ve put so many great ideas for brides who may be on a budget and it just shows that you can still have an amazing outfit without breaking the bank. Flowers that you’ve grown yourself is such a nice personal touch as well as being more sustainable. Thanks for sharing!
Ah, thank you so much, that’s very kind, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m a firm believer in upcycling, especially as it’s only for one day. And home grown flowers are the perfect personal and eco-friendly touch – at least I think so, so I’m really pleased you agree 🙂
Such great tips! Those jewellery pieces are so beautiful and look so elegant! When I get married (hopefully someday!) I will want to be budget friendly and not go over the top with it! This post is great! Thank you for sharing Lisa xxxx
They are beautiful pieces, aren’t they? And I think it’s great that you want to be budget friendly, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful wedding 🙂 Thank you for your lovely comment xxx
The jewellery is absolutely stunning, and although I don’t think I will get married anytime soon I definitely feel like I’ll follow some of your tips – especially upcycling a wedding dress.
It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? And thank you very much, there are honestly some beautiful vintage dresses out there, perfect for a modern day bride.
Really helpful post! If I ever got married I definitely wouldn’t spend loads on my outfit. I wouldn’t spend loads on a wedding overall tbh! x
Yay, I’m so glad – and yes, I know what you mean, that’s why we eloped, haha! x
Such beautiful gold drop earrings, and definitely worthy of a wedding.
Many of the people I know have had simple and elegant weddings without excessive cost. And, while it may sound tacky, it is possible to find the perfect dress used. One of my friend’s was delighted with hers. It is amazing what we can do if we put our minds to it. 🙂
They are so pretty aren’t they? Really unusual, I love them. And I don’t think a preloved dress is at all tacky, you can find some really beautiful and unusual outfits if, as you say, we put our minds to it 🙂
I love the idea of a vintage dress, if I ever get married then I’d 100% be looking to have one!
That’s great to hear, I’m sure you’ll find one that you love!
I might have to link your post to my partner with a hint hint nudge nudge 😉 Got all the information and nwo we just need the wedding.. ok and the proposal haha!
Thanks for sharing these tips though! I actually really like the idea of a vintage dress! I love to be different and to be honest, I love the vintage style! you quite often see wedding dresses in charity shops too!
Ashleigh
Your comment did make me giggle, I’m happy to help, haha! And yes, I’m a huge fan of vintage style, you can find some real treasures if you look hard enough – good luck with the linking!
Such gorgeous jewellery! I love the idea of investing in things that you’ll wear again and again; a friend has a gorgeous bracelet that she now wears daily and is a daily reminder of her wedding day. But I don’t agree with spending loads on something that you’ll only wear once, I love the idea of borrowing things! Becca x
It’s beautiful, so delicate and unusual. And I’m so glad you feel the same as me, I do struggle with the notion of spending a lot of money on something that will only get limited wear, I’d always prefer to borrow, upcycle or buy something I can wear again too 🙂 x
Silver ballet slippers sound so lovely. No pain from the heels either!
Absolutely – because it’s a looooooong day!
Lovely post Lisa! If I ever get married I would definitely look at a second hand dress, or see if my mum’s wedding dress would fit me, thankfully she kept hers. I do love your idea of growing your own flowers! They can be a costly part of a wedding – bouquets, table arrangements, aisle decorations – so growing your own is a great way to save a little. I’d also throw in using fake flowers too so you can keep you bouquet afterwards. I tried to press my bridesmaid bouquet from my sister’s wedding but it didn’t work out too well.
Thank you, Kim, that’s very kind 🙂 And yes, I’m so glad you like the GYO flowers idea. Interspersing with fake flowers is a really good idea, as well as making things last longer. My wedding bouquet didn’t last very long either, haha!
Weddings can be super expensive but there are ways to still make the most out of a budget. Ooooh, I always welcomed the idea of second-hand dresses. I am sure that they’re well cleaned and there’s nothing wrong with them. I love the different ways you can style a dress too. Thanks for sharing all of these tips to make a wedding more budget-friendly!
Nancy ♥
Oh absolutely, I do agree. And yes, you’re right, preloved dresses are a great alternative to new, you can find some real gems if you hunt hard enough and get lucky. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Love these tips! Those jewellery pieces are absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing hun xx
http://new-lune.com
Thank you – and yes, they are gorgeous, aren’t they? 🙂 xx