Why I Spent Only $100 on My Wedding Dress
Photography by https://www.layneannphotography.com/
When I started planning my wedding, I quickly realized that wedding dresses are often seen as one of the most important decisions. But for me, spending thousands on a dress I’d wear for one day didn’t align with my priorities. Instead, I found a dress on Amazon for $100—and it was perfect for me.
Understanding Your Priorities
Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, with so many decisions to make and expectations to meet. What I learned is that you can’t do it all or please everyone. To stay true to yourself, it’s essential to understand what matters most to you as a couple. For us, our focus was on creating a meaningful experience for our guests and investing in memories rather than material things.
For me, the dress wasn’t the centerpiece of the day. Don’t get me wrong—I wanted to look and feel beautiful, but I also knew my happiness wouldn’t depend on the price tag of my gown.
How I Found My Dress
When it came to finding the right dress, I took an unconventional route. I ended up ordering five or six dresses, each around $100, and had them delivered to my home. Then, I invited my family over and created my very own "Say Yes to the Dress" moment. We laughed, debated, and celebrated as I tried on each dress, making the process fun and memorable.
Once I found the one that made me feel confident and beautiful, I simply returned the other dresses. It was an easy, stress-free way to find something that felt just right without breaking the bank.
What Really Matters on Your Wedding Day
On the day of my wedding, no one cared where my dress was from or how much it cost. What mattered most was the love in the room, the joy on my face, and the memories we created. Choosing to save on my dress allowed us to allocate our budget toward other things that meant more to us—like food, photography, and making sure our guests felt welcome and cared for.
Lessons Learned
You Don’t Have to Follow Traditions: It’s okay to break the mold and do things differently if it makes sense for you.
Spend on What Matters to You: Whether it’s your dress, your venue, or your flowers, focus your budget on what’s truly important to you.
The Price Tag Doesn’t Define the Experience: A $100 dress can feel just as magical as a designer gown if you’re wearing it with confidence and joy.
Final Thoughts
Wedding planning can be stressful, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what you value most. For me, spending less on my dress wasn’t about sacrificing—it was about staying true to myself and focusing on what truly made me happy.
If you’re feeling pressure to splurge on something that doesn’t feel right for you, remember that your wedding is about celebrating love—not meeting anyone else’s expectations.
