It is easy to get caught up in a nuptial frenzy. At every turn, family members, friends, experts, magazines, blogs, Pinterest, etc. are offering inspiration and helping instill panic in every bride-to-be. One bride or groom’s “nice-to-have” is another couple’s essential. It’s common to hear “You cannot possibly get married without a champagne toast!” or a church ceremony, or a live DJ, or a designer gown. So how does a couple decide to save or splurge?

There are necessities for a wedding and then there are “like-to-haves.” One particular “like-to-have” is a pretty white gown, but see, the thing is, the marriage will occur whether my bridal gown has a designer label or not.

On one hand, the wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. On the other, you’ll only be wearing the dress once. Do you honestly want to spend a couple of mortgage payments on that designer gown? I mean, I grew up a Disney girl, but even I have to draw the line on a handmade princess dress for my big day.

Simply browsing online will give evidence that there are a number of affordable and beautiful options that won’t break the bank. So set down the checkbook and pen, close out the Alfred Angelo browser tab, and check out these choices that allow you to say less to the dress:

H&M
The popular clothing brand announced early in March 2014 that they were going to “give [their] customer an opportunity to look great on her wedding day by offering [a] great and affordable wedding dress…” A pretty and simple dress, it was released in April to jump start the wedding season early.

A simple floral embroidery decorates this pretty dress. — $100

Etsy
While the idea of a bargain dress is a hit for many women, the fact that the H&M one has become a viral image on the Internet might turn women off. It may seem too impersonal. Anyone could buy it at the mall and that limits its “Big Day specialness” considerably. Now if you’re not the type to wear mass-produced dresses, there is this nifty little website that may just meet your whimsy.

Never fear, frugal brides! Etsy allows for uniqueness and creative dresses to be available at budget-friendly costs!

Go retro with a fun, light twist on the traditional gown! (This dress was $385, but some p1xie customs run as low as $275!)

Who doesn’t love lace? This curve-hugger will only add to your shining moment and is available for $259.

Enjoy a breezy and comfortable look while maintaining elegance with beaded sleeves in this $145 intricate design. This dress is available in various colors as well!

JJsHouse.com
Probably my favorite wedding dress website to browse, JJsHouse offers gowns at discounted prices from $50-$400+. You are able to choose from various silhouettes, necklines, hemlines, fabrics, etc. to find your perfect dress. Having bought a formal-wear dress from the website in the past, I can personally verify the quality of the products sold through the site and the customer service provided. (If I didn’t respect the business, I would never showcase it to you!) Even to simply view a range of gown possibilities to narrow your search, JJsHouse provides great search options and beautiful gown images.

Mermaid with Court Train and Sequins — $195

Strapless, Knee-length, Lace Gown — $136

Halter Ball-Gown with Beadwork — $229

In-Store
It is also very usual for wedding-megastores such as David’s Bridal to carry discounted dresses among their racks. Just walk into the store, ask to see the dresses under such-and-such amount, and do not let the snobby looks disdain you. (Remember, he or she is working to sell the expensive gowns. That look is not directed at you personally, it’s actually out of jealously for your incredibly smart tastes and values!)

As a final word, there are so many way to save money on your wedding, that the dress is not the only concentration point. It is possible for every bride to get the dress she wants at the price she can afford. If you have always dreamed of that Beauty and the Beast Alfred Angelo, then by all means buy it! Just keep in mind you will only be wearing this dress for one day of your life as you search for your perfect gown. Happy shopping!

Feel free to share images of your beautiful gown in the comment area below, and tell us your best tricks for saving money on dresses!