More Bang for Your Buck: Budget Bridal

Industry insiders promise the right look at the right price if you're willing to make the effort.

Isabelle Albuerne has been a wedding coordinator for 15 years.

She suggests starting with a financial plan.

"I think brides need to have a realistic budget of where they are at when they begin shopping..what is the point of falling in love w/ something you may not be able to afford," says Isabelle.

After the budget, decide on the style.

"Take one of those bridal magazines and already have marked dresses they already like."

Once you know how much you'll spend and what you want to spend it on, it's time to find the right retailer.

And this is where it gets fun... because even if money is tight, your options are plentiful.

We even found a store in Ft. Lauderdale that has bridal gowns to rent.

But you better afford a lot of time for this selection.

"Well many of our higher end dresses are worth 2 and 3 thousand dollars, we have some Scassis some Christian Dior," says Judy.

Our average price is about 300 dollars."

Now if the experience of a bridal salon has always been your dream, it can also be your reality.

There are boutiques and bridal shops that will advertise in the social section of the local newspapers. they will advertise what they call either sample sale or there a fall promotion.

You can also dig deeper and use a few tricks of the trade.

Isabelle says, "When you go in you might want to ask if they carry some dresses that might be discontinued...since the dress is discontinued you will get a better price for something like that.."

Another trick, try a new designer,

You might find designers that are new in the market, that have come from abroad that have excellent, beautiful styles, but the name is not known yet, but that doesn't mean the quality is less."

Who knows, you could find the new Vera Wang at a fraction of the price.

LINKS:

Gowns to Go 954-564-0112

Bridal City 305-444-7079

Wedding and Party Corner 305-229-2722