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All-in archive · 2,422 accounts · updated September 2026

Every All-In Figure Brides Gave, page 2

Accounts that name one total for the whole outfit rather than itemising it. They do not appear on the price-range pages, because those are built on the gown price alone.

An all-in figure usually covers the gown, the tailoring and the veil, but brides differ on what they include, so read the account next to the number.

Every column of figures sorts: click a heading. The archive runs cheapest first across all 7 pages, so sorting reorders the 400 accounts on this page rather than the whole set.

Previous · Page 2 of 7 · Next

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All inDressYearThe account
$500$3502023Mother of bride: daughter paid 350 for a new consignment gown in 2023, no alterations, 150 veil, later resold the dress online for 325
A$500A$4002026Ordered about five and returned the rest; quality on par with ASOS or Myer rather than a bridal salon but she calls it a bargain
$500–2026Dress and veil together under 500 at Brides for a Cause; alterations now booked will cost more than the dress.
A$500–2026Under $500 covered two dresses, her engagement party dress from the prom range and her wedding dress from the casual and cocktail guest range
C$500C$3002026Custom made in her home country; about 500 all in once shipping and extra pieces were counted.
$500$3002026Reverse image searched a $2.2k salon gown to find this one; booking alterations close to the date pushed them to $200.
$500–2016Tea-length dress plus a separate full-length ceremony skirt plus alterations came to 500 together
$500$3002017Used gown with roughly 3k MSRP bought for 300; 200 alterations on top
$500$1002017100 sample-sale gown from a salon's Facebook post; 150 cleaning, 250 alterations, about 300 more on accessories, undergarments and shoes
$500$1502024150 in 2024 at a nonprofit chain reselling donated samples (sample price 500, retail 1000); expects 200-300 alterations, total under 500 (upper bound)
$500$3002020Copy of a Galia Lahav gown; the $200 covered her own fabric and trim, not a tailor - she rebuilt the bodice, added boning, a sequin underlayer and 3D flowers
$500$3502020Azazie dress 350; another 150 covered alterations plus a veil and hair piece from the same seamstress
$500$3002022Alterations were unbudgeted; a hook popped off days before the wedding, advises reinforcing fastenings
C$500C$3002022Sale dress after in-store try-ons; 35 shoes; jewelry 100; alterations and jewelry stated in CAD, dress currency assumed CAD
$500–2022500 off the rack including minor alterations; budgeted 1200
$500$5002022On sale, no alterations needed
$500$2502022DB clearance dress 250; bustle-only alterations another 250; advises budgeting alterations equal to the dress
$500$2502022250 dress plus 250 alterations
$500$3502022Ivory evening gown; alterations cheaper because it was not classed as bridal
$500–2022Dress, accessories and jewelry together ~500; alterations still pending
$500$5002022Just under 500 (upper bound); full-length white gown, no alterations needed
$500–2022About 500 out the door for custom separates including buying and altering an evening jacket
$500$1502022Prom dress with no train; Etsy veil converted to a cape; alterations covered hem, bodice, cape conversion and buttons
£501–2022Bridal sale shop; 501 covered dress, alterations, shoes and jewellery
$505$1802024Sparkly veil for 75.
$506$5002024Shipping from Australia to the US included; MSRP over $3000. Veil thrifted $6, shoes $150 on Poshmark and $20 on ThredUp
$507–2022Dress and veil together 507
$508–2020David's Bridal sale: lace-and-tulle two-piece dress plus matching veil for 508 with taxes and fees; about 8% of budget.
$510$4502025Custom build mixing one dress's fabric, another's silhouette and a third's neckline; a bridal seamstress reset the bust cups after it arrived.
$510$1702020One of a kind raw silk crepe sample gown from an Australian maker that produces samples for large bridal labels; flower cape veil bought separately on Etsy for the same amount
$510$4002022Pre-owned already-altered Essense D2639 from StillWhite 400 plus 60 shipping; only straps taken in for 50 at Kim's Alteration; new was almost 2k
$515$5002025Used dream dress 500; veil 15 in the LA Fashion District, near-identical to shop veils priced in the hundreds
$515$35020222022 order: 350 dress plus 125 for pockets, glitter tulle layer and a cape veil, plus 40 shipping
$520$4402023alterations gifted; 80 reception dress off the rack
$520–2023Nontraditional dress; 520 covered dress and shoes against a 500 budget
$520$4202025Made-to-measure loose bohemian forest-wedding dress; extra 100 added cups, took in bodice and added a hidden pocket.
$520$2602026260 on Poshmark plus 260 alterations
$520$4202019Sample originally 1800 bought for 420, plus 100 alterations.
£520£3502020350 pounds at a sample sale plus 170 alterations including taking it in two sizes
$520$2402022DB gown 240 after two 10% discounts; DB in-house alterations 280 covered cups, hem, bodice binding and sleeves
$525$3002026The same gown she had chosen in a bridal store, retail $1,800, found on Facebook Marketplace; $225 to clean it and roughly $100-200 of alterations still to come.
C$525C$3002026Used dress 300 on Marketplace (1780 plus tax new at the bridal store); dry cleaning 225; alterations still to come, expects 100 or more
C$525C$3002026Bridal store gown that retailed at $1,800; $225 to have it cleaned and alterations still ahead. She notes the same dress lists higher on StillWhite than new.
$525$4002016Off the rack with a free veil; expected to spend ~1200 before realizing she didn't care
C$525C$3502017Canadian bride; 350 gown plus 175 alterations, preferred to put money toward food
$526$4212023Outfit budget 750; discounted hanging-damaged dress incl consultant tip; straps, hem, bustle 90; shoes 4, hair vine 10-20; backup dress about 50
$530$4502023unused with tags; regrets shortening the train
$537$4372023Plus size, wanted to try on in person; DB dress about 800 full price, 500 discontinued, negotiated to 425-450 (midpoint); no alterations; steaming about 100
$538$2502022DB clearance gown 250 with 275-300 alterations (five-layer hem); a second DB elopement dress was 200 plus 200 alterations
$539$49920171200 gown on sale for 499 plus a 40 belt
$540$4202026Lulus on sale from 500; secondhand David's Bridal veil 120 via OfferUp; shoes 120; first 1.5k dress resold for 1.4k after changing her mind
$550$5502023silk non-bridal dress she can rewear; 1200 reception gown separate
$550$5502023incl. heavy alterations; 300 reception dress separate
$550$3502023Clearance floor model two sizes too big with small tears; 200 covered tailoring, repairs and cleaning by an independent seamstress
$550$3502023Black Friday 60% off with free custom sizing (normally 99); bustle on many layers 150; belt via cashback; 500-600 all in (midpoint)
$550$502025Dress and veil together for 50 from online auctions after long searching; alterations still 500; budget was 700
$550–2025Her 550 figure is the whole bill including alterations
$550$50019931993 dress 500 with about 50 alterations
$550$4002020Reformation on sale for 400 in 2020; fit nearly perfectly, slight alterations under 150; believes a normal year would have meant 2000-plus
$550$4502026Etsy custom dress 450 list price plus 100 shipping to the US
$550–2026Custom-made rental about US 550 including alterations
$550$1502026Amazon dress with alterations costing nearly three times the gown; dream dress would have been about 2500.
A$550A$5502026Separates for a micro wedding: 420 silk skirt from a WA designer plus 130 corset from a US site; separates avoided take-ins; wanted under 1000
$550–2018Includes recutting a gifted royal-cathedral veil to cathedral length plus straps, hem, lace rework, taking in, two-point bustle
$550$2002022Sized up for a DDD bust at 5ft1 so the whole dress had to be taken in; target was 500-600
$550$2002022Chose a JJ's House lookalike of a 700 David's Bridal dress; 30 shoes
$550$3002022DB clearance-rack dress 300; extensive alterations 250 from an outside seamstress, cheaper than the shop
$550$3302022Dress 330 plus 220 alterations
$550$1002022About 100 dress, about 450 alterations; still under 1000 overall
$555$4852024Saja dress; veil from Lamnhi Bridal; alterations pending.
£556£2312022Monsoon high-street dress at 25% off for Black Friday; upscale alterations expected 300-350; bought and returned three times to get the size right
$560$602026Bought a too-small but good quality gown; tailor is adding sleeves, letting it out and steaming it for about $500
$563$1502022Thrift find; 413 covered taking in the chest, front hem, steaming and cleaning
$575$5002023Budget 1100; whole look with veil, shoes, jewelry and flower crown stayed under that budget
$575$5001995About 30 years ago; budget max 1000; parents paid the 500 dress, bride paid 75 alterations
$580$1802025Bought three fast-fashion dresses at about 60 each and had a seamstress build one gown from the pieces; she was quoted 200 and insisted on paying 400
$580$5802025Rented a custom gown with added sleeves for church; fee covers cleaning and alterations. Skipping a veil; secondhand blushers run about 10.
$580$5802025On sale from 800; no alterations needed.
$580$2802026Bought for 280 at an Anthropologie bridal store closing; alterations 300
$580$3002022JJ's House all-lace gown about 300; alterations 280 including added bell sleeves
$584$2002024$200 dress bought a size 10 for a size-2 body; local shop added cups, 5-point bustle, took in shoulders, front and sides for $384.
$585$5002026500 USD online; hem, bustle, cups and possibly a new zipper to come; 85 crown from a Renaissance fair instead of a veil
$585$852026Amazon gown fit perfectly after 300 of alterations; the 200 was clearance Manolo Blahniks from Saks originally around 700
$590$902025Chose a listing that needed nothing but hemming; the 500 covers alterations plus a tailor-made overskirt. Warns Poshmark depends on your size and style turning up
£595£2952024Final sale of older stock at a local shop; alterations at the same shop cost more than the dress; keeping it.
$597$1472023the bride who asked: clearance floor sample from David's for 147; Anytime Alterations in Kensington quoted 900 for hem, train removal and bodice on a simple organza A-line; went with a home seamstress
$598$2982024Alterations matched the dress price.
£599£4992026£499 dress; only a hem was needed so alterations were £100.
$599$599202210% first-time discount plus Diamond membership; under 600 with tax; fit perfectly
$600$6002023on sale from 800; earlier 50 Poshmark dress abandoned
$600$3002023refuses to spend more on a one-time event
£600£6002023no alterations; may shorten to rewear
$600–2023samples and used dresses for charity; first dress she tried
$600$3402023brand new; lots of compliments
$600$6002023quality matched David's Bridal; resold for 300
$600$4502023Bought online from David's Bridal, which would not quote alterations; thinks over 2k for a single-use dress is poor value
$600$6002023Boho cotton dress rather than a gown; no alterations
$600$5002023Budget 1000
$600$6002024600 V Chapman dress, no alterations
$600$3002024StillWhite gown; straps 30, cups 7, velvet belts about 60; alterations estimated 200, more if she changes the bustle.
$600$3002024Alterations matched the dress price.
£600£4002024UK pricing in pounds.
$600$6002025Etsy copy of a 3500 salon dress; arrived tailored to her measurements from Ukraine, so no alteration bill
$600$6002025A white bridesmaid-style dress; the measurement size came too big, she returned it and sized down and then needed no alterations.
$600$2002025Only dress she ever tried on; she wanted a gown that works with a real bra and let budget outrank perfection
$600–2026Dress came to 600 after alterations; split not given
$600–2026Budget was 1,200 and dress, veil and belt together came to about six hundred; alterations expected to be reasonable. June wedding, and the dress has pockets.
£600£4502026Needle and Thread dress with £150 alterations.
£600£2502026£250 sale dress with £350 alterations; notes altered gowns are hard to resell.
$600$5002026500 gown plus 100 alterations
$600$3502026Clearance sample 350 plus 50 shipping; alterations expected around 200
$600$4002025Aug 2025 bride; Azazie gown 400 (liked the at-home try-on) plus 200 alterations
A$600–2026Tailoring pushed the cost up but dress plus alterations still came in under $600
$600–1988Combined gown and alterations figure from 38 years earlier; she also bought off the rack
$600$4502026AW Bridal online 450 plus 150 alterations
$600$3502026Very full corset-back sample; the alteration quote covered shortening only.
$600$3902017About 390 base in a Cocomelody store; around 600 with customizations and alterations
$600–2020Gown, veil, belt and detachable sleeves in one $600 package against a $500 ceiling; ordered a size down, a seamstress in the family hems it free
$600$3502022Came in exactly on a 600 budget
$600$2202022Dress plus alterations 400; veil ~200 chosen for color over cheaper Etsy/JJ's House options; 40 Amazon shoes
$600$4002022Kleinfeld sample sale; had budgeted 1500
$600$6002022Corset-style DB gown, 600 all in; tall bride (5ft9) needed no alterations
$600$1002022Lulus dress 100; alterations about 500 in a high-cost area; found nothing in budget at traditional shops
£600£4002022Brand-new sample-sale dress ordered in for the sale, listed about 1400, bought for 400; alterations about 200
$600$2002022Budget 1000; dress 200 and accessories 400. Picked a dress she can wear again.
$607$172023Vintage eBay dress 17 plus 200 alterations; reception dress 40 on Etsy plus 350 alterations; 607 covers both
$610–2025Wife rented for about 610 last year, alterations included in the rental fee
$610$5502022Fit off the rack with no hem needed; alterations were only a bustle and shortened straps
$612$722022Former employee bought a discontinued 950 dress marked down to 72; alterations 540 still left it below original price
$630$2302025Consignment find; alterations expected to cost nearly double the gown.
$630$2302026Bridal consignment store dress at 230; alterations expected around 400
$630$6002018Local bridal boutique took in the top, hemmed and added a bustle for 30
£630£6002022Accessory figure is an underskirt; hopes alterations are only length and bustle
$630$4502022Refused to go over 500 for a dress; Amazon veil
$639$5002015Consignment find; alterations 125 vs 200 planned; 14 veil; two hoop skirts; Etsy tiara misdelivered via PayPal, replacement stuck in China
C$640C$5002025500 Azazie dress, 70 for veil and gloves from Azazie, 70 for a corset back at 13 weeks pregnant; November 2025
$640$2402022240 dress with 400 in alterations, more than the dress itself.
£645£4002026Otaduy sample sale (was £1,250) plus £75 Catherine Deane topper (was £300); alterations took in waist and sleeves.
$650$3502023would have spent more but this was the one
$650$4502023Wanted under 500 but had not factored in alterations of roughly 200
$650$5502023550 dress; follow-up reply puts it at 650 with alterations
$650$5502024Custom-made on Etsy, fit well; only a bustle and a tighter sleeve needed.
$650$55019861986 dress later featured in Bride magazine; 100 alterations; second marriage in 2003 dress cost 150
$650$3502026David's Bridal dress 350; planning 300 of alterations to get the exact style she wanted
£650£5002026Off-the-rail dress from a Bletchley shop plus £150 alterations; an earlier £55 Coast dress from Vinted was abandoned.
$650$25020252025 bride; Anthropologie Black Friday sale; extensive alterations 400
$650$4002025Feb 2026 bride; 400 gown from a local shop plus 250 alterations
$650$5002026Tags-on 2500 gown haggled to 500 at a consignment shop plus 150 bolero; only a hem expected
$650$4002025400 at Flora's Bridal in Brandon, Florida, bought August 2025; alterations 250
C$650C$5002026About $500 including shipping from a Turkish Etsy shop that has since closed, plus $150 of alterations.
$650–2026All-in for the custom gown, shipping and upgrades: sequins, beading and lace appliques, international priority post. Arrived about 1.5 months after ordering
$650–2026Bouquet preservation not gown: pressed flowers framed in a scattered layout she helped choose; hangs at home with other wedding mementos
$650–2019Grandmothers paid; gown plus in-house alterations came to $650 before tax; she settled for budget reasons and plans a $200-300 reception dress
$650$5002022About 500 for the dress; landed in the 600s with alterations and accessories (midpoint used)
$650$6002022Covid-era DB dress with tax, no veil, 60 DSW shoes; now planning a max-2000 party dress and expects 500+ alterations
$657$6501996650 in 1996 at a since-closed bargain outlet in Denver; altered free by a neighbor; veil made from 7 of supplies
$660$2602026Preserved 2004 Maggie Sottero from Facebook Marketplace for 260; follow-up comment adds 400 for hem and bustle, 660 total
$660$3602026Claire Pettibone Shenandoah found on Poshmark for 360 six months before the wedding; taken in at David's Bridal for about 300
$670$6702024Measured her own bust and waist at home so no size alterations were needed; veil came free from a Buy Nothing group
$670$3252018325 dress, 275 alterations, 70 shoes; 670 total as stated
$670$5002022Three outfits: 100 legal ceremony, 70 beach, 500 reception dress paid by her dad
$675$1752024A little over 500 in alterations because hemming a ballgown means many layers.
£675£5252026Off-the-rack £525; mum paid about £150 for the skirt to be shortened.
$675$6502001Skirt suit from Saks non-bridal in 2001 plus 25 alterations
$675$5002017New-with-tags 1500 gown from a consignment shop; five-month engagement forced off-the-rack; hem and corset lining
$680$4502022New with tags via StillWhite; alterations ~230
$685$1852026185 after tax at a secondhand formalwear boutique; alterations expected around 500
$695$4752022HCOL area; pre-altered secondhand Martina Liana for 475, quoted 220 for alterations and steaming; first 1300 Stella York is being resold on StillWhite
C$695C$3402022340 CAD dress, 250 alterations to rebuild the bust for a 38J, 105 dry cleaning; happy with cost but price led her to a dress she only 80 percent loved
$699$4992017Dress on sale for 499 plus 200 in alterations
$699$6992018699 plus tax, marked down from 1200; fit perfectly so no alterations
$700$7002023custom made small Etsy shop
£700£5002023plans to tie-dye and rewear at a festival
$700$7002023two Lulus dresses combined by a seamstress; all-in under 700
£700£5002023Found the same gown she loved in a bridal shop at £1,500 listed secondhand for a third of the price; added a separate overskirt to change the look
$700–2023Went in only for professional measurements and bought two gowns for under 700 together
$700$7002023Custom-made to her measurements by a top Etsy bridal shop; about 700 total, no alterations needed
$700$1002023100 dress; accessories and shoes cost more than the dress; everything except rings under 700 (upper bound); DIY veil and bolero
$700$6002023Half-price sale dress about 600, about 700 with alterations; not the two-piece she pictured
$700$1802023Budget 1000; cheap online dress plus 500 of customization and extra material
$700–2023Budget 500; 700 once alterations were added; simple changes add up
$700$5002023Previously worn BHLDN for 500; 200 alterations added a back panel and swapped zipper for corset lacing; wore it 5 minutes because groom forgot his suit
C$700C$4002024Clearance gown; about 520 USD all in.
$700–2024Secondhand dress (source not stated), about 700 with alterations; bridal alterations far pricier than a dry cleaner altering her bridesmaid dress.
$700–2024Dress and veil together on the resale site
$700–2024Same dress-and-veil pairing priced at $1,500 in a David's Bridal store turned up in her size secondhand
$700$5002025Off-the-rack local bridal store; alterations and a veil brought it to a little under 700. She phoned shops in advance to ask about their under-1000 sections
$700$5002025Marketplace listing started at 1500 and kept dropping; never intended to buy new.
$700$2002025200 consignment gown three sizes too big; quoted about 1000, paid 500 for bodice and sleeves and hemmed it at home with mom using a petticoat.
$700$6002025Same gown carried a $1,200 sticker new; she bought it used and paid to have it cleaned
$700$7002026David's Bridal dress at 700; only strap shortening, done free by a sister-in-law
$700$4002026Had late doubts that it was too plain and tried an expensive fitted gown, decided it was not her, and wore the original.
$700$40020232023 bride; sample sale gown plus 300 alterations
$700$40020232023 bride; 1200-retail gown for about 400 at a secondhand bridal shop, 300 to take in several sizes
$700–2026Quotes for a thrifted silk gown: 200 dry cleaning and 500 alterations; bride is instead machine-washing secondhand polyester dresses at home.
$700–2026Two dresses plus alterations; bought a second copy of the gown so a halter top could be built from matching fabric, welcome-party dress fitted close
$700$2002026White bridesmaid dress 200 then about 500 to alter it
$700$7002019Sale gown fitted off the rack with no alterations; she wore very high heels so the hem would not drag
$700$4002021Daughter's dress: 300 of alterations on a 400 gown
£700£6002022600 gown against an 800 budget; about 100 to shorten straps and hem
$700–2022700 including tax and dry cleaning from a consignment bridal shop
$700$6002022Discounted dress; prepaid preservation ~100; expects ~200 alterations later
$700$5002022Wore a prom dress bought at a bridal/prom shop; alterations 200 so far
$700$7002022700 dress; alterations free in a trade for family recipes. Stayed within her means.
$700$3502022Kept the dress at 350 and spent about the same on a hand-stitched floral veil (veil figure approximate).
$700$2002022Vintage satin ballgown from an Etsy vintage shop for 200 plus postage (bought two, sold one); 500 antique veil from eBay. Wedding called off.
£720£6002022Off the rack at a UK chain comparable to David's Bridal; £120 for hem and simple bustle
$725$1252024Clearance gown; major alteration sewed the back of her mom's wedding dress into it; veil cost nearly three times the dress.
$725$5002022Sample gown retailing 1500; 225 quote covers hem, bustle, cups and lining
$730$4002026Dress under 400 (upper bound); the 330 alteration bill also covered a 130 Azazie reception dress
$730$2302022JJ's House dress 230 but alterations 500; thinks shopping around would have found a cheaper seamstress
$739$2892026289.10 USD dress plus 450 USD alterations in March 2026
C$740C$2302026230 consignment dress; alterations 510, more than double the dress
$743$3182019David's Bridal gown bought online with coupons in a Black Friday sale; alterations cost more than the dress and the whole thing stayed under $800
$743$2932022Dress budget was 300; mom's promised free alterations fell through so a pro cost 450; total wedding 10k
$750$2502023Pre-worn eBay dress; alterations double the dress
$750$6002023Fit perfectly so no alterations; added a beaded belt for about 150; the dress she loved turned out to be one of the cheapest tried
$750$6502024650 dress altered free by a seamstress relative; 100 Etsy veil; 30 nude heels from Amazon
$750$6002024Lace gown on sale; her regular tailor took it down two sizes for under $150
$750$4002025400 David's Bridal dress; hem and strap shortening only, no bodice or sizing work, about 350 at DB alterations
$750$4002025Store price was 1800; paid about 400 on eBay; 350 covers cleaning and tailoring together
$750$3502026Simple David's Bridal dress 350 after sale and discount; 400 alterations, mostly length for a 4-foot-8 bride
£750£7502022About £750 total at Wed2B; four years on she sees it as money wasted.
$750$1502026New-with-tags gown (retail 2000-2500) for 150 at a local secondhand bridal boutique; alterations quoted 600 for corset waist, bust and long-train hem
£750–2022750 pounds including alterations at a 2022 sample sale
$750$3002026A little under 300 (upper bound) from shopgoodwill.com; alterations 450
$750$50202650 on Facebook Marketplace and 700 in alterations
$750–2021Couple budgeted about 750 for both wedding-day outfits inside a 5000 total wedding, with 1000 more for the two bands
$750$6502022Dress and alterations exclude tax; alterations a little over 100; veil undecided (120 new or ~50 used)
$750$4502022Parent paid: first daughter's dress 450 plus 300 alterations; second daughter's was 550 plus 350 alterations
$750$7502022Waited for a 10% sale; free custom sizing removed the alteration cost
$750$4002022Sale dress 400; alterations 350 for hemming five tulle layers and major bodice work
$750$2502022Big weight loss meant 500 of alterations on a 250 dress
$750$7502022Rental with minor alterations included; the new gown she passed on was quoted 1410 after tax before alterations, over twice the all-in cost
$765$4752023Budget 1200
$769$729202440 for steaming.
$770$5502022Off-the-rack shop; roughly 220 for hem and bustle only
£774£6992026699 pounds from a UK bridal store that makes its own dresses; veil 75; mother-in-law is a seamstress and altered it free
$775$6402024Gown plus alterations.
$775$3252026Half price because of a long gash down the front skirt; her seamstress quoted 400 to 500 to replace the panel if matching fabric can be found.
$775$2752022Discontinued Vera Wang found for 275 but four sizes too big; 500 of alterations ate most of the bargain
$780$5852025March 2026 bride; Azazie gown 585 bought July 2025, alterations 195
$780$5802018580 dress, 200 alterations
$782$7002026Teuta Matoshi made to measurement at 700; only 82 in alterations
$790$7002020Materials only across 165 hours of sewing; 790 spent in total but some lace and trim went unused, and a discontinued silk was partly refunded
$793$6292026Plus-size (3X) sale dress 629 at David's Bridal; 44 Etsy lace flutter sleeves added with chest lining; alterations 120 plus tip; 793 total
$795$7752019A seamstress friend is doing the alterations free and she is making her own veil from about $20 of fabric, comb and pearls; barefoot beach ceremony
$798$3992025399 DB dress; bust altered, zipper swapped for a corset back and bustle added; alterations equalled the dress price (recorded as 399)
$800$8002023picked fabric and co-designed; seamstress praised quality
$800$5002023would regret anything more
$800$80020252019 purchase; dress and cape incl. international shipping
$800$5002023Budget was 250; she loves the dress but would go made-to-measure if she could redo it
£800£6002023Budget 500 with a hard cap of 1000
$800$4002023Budget 1200; sample-sale ballgown 400, 800 after alterations
$800$5002023Wishes she had spent even less; the train mostly annoyed her
$800–2023800 covered dress and alterations together; split not given
$800$8002024LoveShackFancy dress; mom made the veil.
$800$4002024Huge fluffy sample ballgown.
$800$8002024Fit without alterations which she credits to her height
$800$8002025Retail $5,700 and already tailored to her height and size, so no alterations; she gave salons a sky-high budget knowing she would buy resale.
$800$8002025Fully custom in her chosen fabrics, materials included, no alterations needed; mentions brides traveling to South America or Vietnam for custom.
$800–2026Daughter-in-law's DB gown 800 all in, believed to be a sale; mother-in-law calls it stunning
$800$5002026Under 500 (upper bound); 800 all-in per her; 20 Amazon veil; 40 ThredUp shoes; forest wedding
$800–2026March 2027 bride; 800 so far covers the dress and a 30 second veil (first veil free with the dress, manager gave 15% off); alterations quoted 450-800
C$800–2023800 CAD including alterations in 2023
C$800C$6002025About 600 shopping David's Bridal sales plus 200 alterations for an October 2025 wedding
$800$5002026500 Etsy dress plus 300 alterations; seamstress made the off-shoulder corset top snug enough to skip a bra; tried on at David's first for fit
$800$5002026500 at Brides for a Cause in Seattle (donated, mostly new, under five years old); a simple hem cost 300
C$800–2026Dress and veil together came to a little under $800, custom made to her measurements; she budgeted separately for alterations on arrival.
$800$5402026Off the rack 540, 800 total after sizing down eight sizes; sewed her own cathedral veil with Swarovski crystals; five-month timeline; an earlier 100 BHLDN dress ran short on her
$800$2002016About ten years ago: first dress 200 on sale but too big, tailoring about 600; second reception dress 90; neither sold as bridal
$800–2026Ordered a bridesmaid style in white that echoed the bridal gown she loved; about 600 cheaper, and the 800 covers alterations too.
$800$3002026Just under 300 secondhand; alterations split 200 hem, 200 to let it out to zip, 100 to repair beading.
$800$5002019Shopped around for hem, straps and sides; 300 was the best quote found; cousin exchanged a discontinued David's dress twice before alterations
$800–2021Her whole bridal outfit came to 800 including alterations, a petticoat, undergarments and shoes, against about 2000 for the ring set
$800–2022About 800 after all alterations
$800$3002022~300 Etsy jumpsuit plus ~200 used Poshmark dress; 300 alterations covers both; 20 Poshmark shoes
$800$3502022DB sale gown about 350; alterations 450 (bra cups plus hemming a lace gown) cost more than the dress
$800–2022Poll bracket 601-1000 (midpoint) covered two dresses plus alterations; alterations cost more than the dresses
$800$8002022No alterations needed; same dress later dropped to 600 on sale
$800$5002022Preloved dress found online in her size for 500 plus 300 alterations vs a 2000 new-dress budget; later resold for 250, kept custom tiara
$800$5002022Ceremony dress 500 + 300 alterations; separate 100 reception dress needed no alterations
$802$8022023made to exact size; stylists via zoom
$815$4812022Budget bride happy with David's Bridal; dress 481 plus 334 alterations
$820$6002025Vow'd (Altar'd State sister store) dress 600, their lowest tier; veil about 220; alterations via a partner seamstress, cost unstated
$820$6202015Budget was 500 but tax and a petticoat pushed it up; her grandmother paid for the gown so she only covered the 200 of alterations
$820$5002022Hem alone was 200 for three chiffon layers; bustle, hem and bodice take-in totaled ~320
$820$3002024Seven-layer gown: $200 bustle, $120 lace strap rebuild, $200 hem; alterations exceeded the $300 dress.
$824$5492018549 on sale plus tax via promo codes; quoted 250-300 (midpoint) for basic alterations on a plain dress with no lace or beading
$825$5502016Clearance gown the stylist pulled after she disliked everything she picked herself; alterations paid seven years later in 2023
£825£8002025Sample dress 800 GBP instead of 2000+ to order; the shop's 145 GBP veil found identical on Vinted for 25
$825$7502025$750 dress and $75 veil at a 130-guest city wedding; splurged $600 on rewearable shoes.
$825–2018825 total after starting at 500-600; cheaper dresses lacked the lace overlay she wanted; found it at a bridal show after boutiques quoted appointment fees
$830$3302024Alterations exceeded the dress.
$830$3302024Wanted something subtler than DB styles; the alterations cost more than the gown
$830$302022Thrift find needing 800 of alterations; notes resale sites allow no returns
$830$802022Silk slip from Poshmark 80; 250 vintage silk plus 500 dressmaker labor for a detachable custom overskirt with bow; 30 backup mini dress not counted
$835$8002023Budget 1500-2000; David's Bridal store closing, 1300 dress for 800; 35 detachable tulle sleeves from Etsy
$840$7502019750 dress plus 90 alterations, aim was to stay under 1000 total; very happy.
$850$8502023rental included cleaning alterations veil and jewelry
$850$8502023already hemmed and bustled; a few rips in tulle
$850$3702023Budget about 1000; waited for a sale on a 450 dress; alterations exceeded the dress
$850$8502024Consigned gown already hemmed and bustled for a short bride; about 1000 below new; weight loss removed the need for a corset back.
$850–2024Consignment gown plus alterations came to this; cheaper options were on the same racks
$850$7002025Alterations covered letting the gown out and hemming it
$850$3002025Half off in store then a further quarter off online against a 1000 budget; alterations came in at 500 to 600
$850$7502026Mother-daughter local boutique dupe of a 1600-plus dream dress for 750; alterations estimated under 100 via a personal connection; 20 Ross shoes
$850$1502026Lulus dress 150 that was 85 percent right; 700 of alterations made it exactly what she wanted
£850£6502026Sample-route bride with a lighter alteration bill of about £200.
$850$4002026400 dress and a 450 veil, both from David's Bridal
$850$7502026Same gown was 1200 new at Davids Bridal; already altered and fit perfectly so no alterations, then 100 to dry clean before relisting
$850$6002026Three-part bustle plus sleeves; dress retails 2500, bought brand new via marketplace for 600
$850$4502019About 450 for the dress and roughly 400 in alterations.
$850$2002021Dress under 200 on sale at BHLDN (upper bound); alterations plus bustle ~650, more than triple the dress
$850$4502022Used Maggie Sottero via StillWhite bought unseen; petite so back taken in and heavy train shortened; 28 reception midi dress with no alterations
$855$3702024Many-layer hem plus bustle exceeded the dress price
$860$4602022Boutique dress found on sale; second reception dress 180 on eBay; about 400 alterations across both for a short busty frame
$865$8501994850 new in 1994 plus a 15 matching veil from a consignment shop; still boxed in her closet
$865$5502021Alterations were more than half the dress price
$866–2025Dream gown found at half price in a chain bridal store; the $866 covered the veil and the tax as well.
$867$6502022Plus 35 shipping and insurance; hem only; seller included a free veil; 17 Amazon headband
$870–2026Rented a gown that retails near 2400; the fee bundled alterations, veil, cleaning and optional jewellery.
$870$7702019Sample sale gown at $770 with tax plus $100 for two headpieces and a veil; expects about $600 more in alterations and may add a reception dress
$880–2024Ballgown: hem, bustle and under-bust darts for 700, plus 180 for the seamstress to press (not steam) it.
$880$7502022Lilac CocoMelody gown with free custom sizing (usually 200); plus a 100 Nordstrom Rack after-party dress and a 30 Macy's reception dress
$881$8462026June 2026 bride; alterations only 35
$883$6732025DB clearance-rack gown 673 in 2025; alterations 210 at a different DB location in 2026
$890$8502017Sample dress in the 800-900 range; only 40 in alterations because the sample already fit
$900$80020238 years ago; no longer married; glad she spent little
C$900C$9002023Custom made via a boutique fabric store seamstress; over budget on fabric but no alterations expected and she plans to dye it after
$900–2023Off-the-rack shop; wanted under 1500; 900 covered dress, belt and veil
$900$6002023600 dress plus 300 alterations
$900$6002024Gown plus alterations.
$900–2024Hem, bustle, waist taken in and bust darts on a simple satin ballgown at the shop's alterations department; 180 extra for hand pressing rather than steaming
$900$3002024Alterations twice the dress price
$900$4002025Later found to be a knockoff of a $5000 designer gown; she is relaxed about the hem stains because the outlay was small.
$900$6502026Needle & Thread 650 after a 75 coupon; 100 for hem and closing the chest; no veil, 150 flower crown from the florist
$900–2026Under 900 including small alterations (upper bound); planned in 3 months
C$900C$6002026used a seamstress working from home who was cheaper than a shop; donated the gown back after the wedding
$900$3002026House of CB dress at 300; rushed alterations cost double the dress at 600
£900£8002026Big sparkly gown 800 pounds, alterations 100
$900$4002026DB gown 400 with 500 alterations by a local seamstress; DB web price rose 100 in a year
$900$4002026400 David's Bridal dress on a 1000 budget plus nearly 500 in alterations; good experience but says it depends on the location.
$900$3502026Tea-length Amsale dress from their rehearsal/outfit-change line, 50 extra fabric bought from them, about 500 in alterations
C$900C$3002020Bought a 1000 David's Bridal gown first, then after a COVID postponement found her long-time dream dress secondhand for 300 from a local seller and spent 600 altering it.
$900$3002017As-is donated-dress shop for a YWCA shelter; almost two sizes too big and too long, four layers; three visits over a month; first tailor quoted 1000 (dm0vrvi)
$900$8002020800 dress and 100 veil within a 1500 look budget; 175 shoes not counted since they will be reworn; 23k wedding for 150.
C$900–2021About $750 covered dress, veil and belt together; alterations were cheap because the gown needed very little work
$900$9002022Clearance dress for 900, no alterations needed
$900$5502022Listed about 1200, bought on sale for 530, roughly 550 after tax and shipping; alterations about 350
$900$8002022Discontinued style, sticker 1999, paid 800; only chest darts and a bustle needed, 100
$900$5002022500 dress plus 400 alterations
$900$6002022First dress 600 + 300 alterations that went badly; then bought a second dress for 180 + 80 alterations
C$900C$8002022Just under $800 for the gown plus about $100 of alterations
C$910C$1402026Poshmark find at 140 CAD that retailed 2500; 270 dry cleaning; expects 500-plus alterations (lower bound); cheapest in-store option was 1800
$910$3502017Prior-season White by Vera Wang from DB online, 1300 down to 350; 360 alterations; 910 total includes a 200 first dress to resell
£910£7102022710 pounds on StillWhite, quoted 200 for alterations, under a 1000 budget; import customs charge of 220 was an unwelcome surprise
$916$8162026Etsy gown 816 plus 100 to add a modesty panel; second Etsy dress 400 from oliviaoceana; made to measurements so no real tailoring
$919$91920252025
$920$8002023800 dress plus 120 alterations
$920$4002026Charged 520 by the store that sold the 400 dress; no time to shop around
$920$8002018BHLDN dress paid by mom; only needed shortening; bride paid alterations and deliberately avoided a high-alteration dress
$925$7252023took it home same day; friend's mom alters; veil 30% off Black Friday
$930$9002012First wedding in 2012: secondhand Maggie Sottero 900, no alterations, cheap Etsy veil about 30
C$935C$2752026Azazie dress 550 CAD, half refunded after a strap broke (net 275 logged); 660 alterations for extra bust support; August wedding
$939$2002022Secondhand bridal store; alterations added sleeves and repaired damage plus hem and bustle; chapel veil from Etsy
$945$8552023Separates: 400 sale skirt from BHLDN plus 420 top direct, 35 shipping; skirt hem and waist 90; Bella Belle shoes 325; undergarments about 70
$949$7992023Roughly 799 gown plus 150 alterations; knew an equally nice cheaper dress existed but splurged within budget
$949$8502026Essense of Australia D3965, altered but never worn, from StillWhite for 850 plus 99 minor alterations
$950–2024About 950 for dress, veil and alterations; had to return the dress to the dressmaker afterwards (rental-style arrangement).
$950$3502024Sample dress; 600 at a local tailor for basically just shortening; says alterations matching the dress price is typical
$950$8002024White formal gown from an online shop with a good return policy; 150 alterations from a 20-year home-based seamstress; searched 'formal' not 'bridal'
$950–2024Bought in a bridal store in Turkey; the 950 covered the gown, a veil and adjustments that were turned around within 12 hours
$950$3502025Cheap find but alterations nearly tripled the gown cost; insists she did not settle on style
£950£7502025Gown with a 1600 RRP bought secondhand at under half price
$950$7002025Azazie gown that fit well; only needed a bustle. Notes their range is 200-1000 with free try-on.
$950$8502026Never-worn designer dress on StillWhite already altered and bustled, 850; 100 more to shorten straps
£950£7002026Wed2B gown; alterations expected at £200-300 (midpoint used).
£950£9502026March 2026 bride; 950 pounds; alterations free from a seamstress friend; finds US prices hard to fathom
€950€8002026Secondhand gown (source not stated) that looked new, plus 150 alterations.
$950$6502018650 dress from Nordstrom online; 300 alterations for letting out the bust, bustle and hem
$950–2022Alterations 500-600 (midpoint used), then another 400 for cleaning and preservation.
$963$4692026Azazie 469 on Black Friday after six boutique visits; 250 custom Etsy veil from Egypt, 114 jewelry/garter/charm, 130 custom Chucks; 963 for the whole look
$965$6402020640 dress; veil and alterations took it to 965, about 8% of an 11k wedding.
C$970C$6702023670 with tax on Hastings St; 300 more to hem, shorten the shoulder straps and take in the torso, and prices there are negotiable
$970$3702026Clearance gown that felt well made; the 600 of alterations covered a bustle and steaming as well as fitting
$970–2022Main dress 970 USD including alterations, bought secondhand; two more outfits kept everything under 1500
$980$6002026David's Bridal about 600, 300 alterations, 80 Etsy veil that matched 400 shop veils
C$980C$8202026Designer dress marked down from 2500 to 820 with tax; alterations quoted at 120 to 200 and recorded here at the midpoint.
$980$9002022Minimal tailoring
$980$5252022Black Friday off-the-rack sale; chose a pricier tailor so alterations nearly matched the dress
$990–2022Rental: 900 plus tax, including alterations, veil and hair accessories
$999$8992026Brand-new ball gown 899 with 100 alterations; offers Georgia shop recommendations
$999$5992026599 at a small off-the-rack shop in a less fashionable neighbourhood; alterations 400; guests guessed it cost 3000; has pockets
£1,000£1,0002023retail 1300; first shop first dress
$1,000$1,0002023budget 2k; sample marked down to 1k
$1,000$1,0002023planned up to 2k
$1,000$1,0002023no rental companies nearby
$1,000$7002023walked away from a 3000 dress for the honeymoon
$1,000$1,0002023zombie bride Halloween plan

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Price reports on this page come from 104 public discussions where brides answered in their own words. Each comment that stated an amount became one row; notes are paraphrased, never quoted.

Discussions used on this page (104)