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5 Ways to Save Thousands on Your Wedding Look

Who says having the wedding of your dreams has to mean free-falling into debt? Always a Bridesmaid Wedding Design planner Xochitl Gonzalez shares her insider strategies for saving without sacrificing style (6 Photos)

Catherine Coreno on Mar 22, 2013 at 10:57AM

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5 Ways to Save Thousands on Your Wedding Look

Dave Robbins

How to Save on Your Wedding Dress

While designer wedding dresses can easily run in the five-figure price range, with a little know-how you’ll spend a fraction of that and still purchase your dream gown. The key? Shopping online. Xochitl Gonzalez of Always a Bridesmaid shares her favorite gown sites:

theaislenewyork.com: "They have limited-engagement sales on everything from Angel Sanchez gowns to Judith Leiber handbags," she explains of the shop’s rock-bottom pricing on samples and end-of-season gowns.

oncewed.com: This boutique of gently-worn looks stocks "amazing designer gowns that have either had their one night wear, or, in some cases, were the victims of buyer's remorse."

Online shopping tip: Before beginning your internet hunt, however, Gonzalez recommends a reconaissance mission to a brick-and-mortar shop first to get your measurements taken and see what silhouettes work for you. When you do find your perfect gown online, err large, since a gown that's too big will be easier and cheaper to alter than one that's too small.