Who Typically Pays for the Wedding Dress?

Who typically pays for the wedding dress varies by bridal couple. While tradition dictates it should be the bride’s family’s responsibility to buy the wedding dress (and pay for a number of other bridal expenses), this tradition does not always hold up in modern times. Let’s start by diving into the tradition behind a bride’s parents covering the cost of the wedding dress, then take a peek at some of the parties contributing to the purchase of the bridal gown nowadays.

Who Traditionally Pays for the Wedding Dress?

When it comes down to who buys the wedding dress traditionally, it’s always been the bride’s family. Once upon a time, the wedding dress and all of the accessories (shoes, veil, etc.) were a symbol of the family’s wealth and good standing. The fancier the bridal outfit, the better it looked for the family’s social status, which is why it was considered the bride’s family’s wedding responsibility (and certainly why most parents wanted to present their daughters in the best possible light).

Who Buys the Wedding Dress in Modern Times?

For modern brides, there are a number of possible ways to go about financing the wedding budget, so it should come as no surprise that who buys the wedding dress can vary by bride. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for the cost of the bridal gown to still fall within the bride’s family’s wedding responsibility, although the reason they help is usually less about social status (more on that below). Sometimes other special family members beyond the bride’s parents will help cover the cost of the wedding dress, the couple will pay for the gown together, or the bride will purchase her own wedding dress. Since the two most common payees are the parents and the bride herself, let’s take a look at some of the reasons they might cover the cost of the bridal gown.

Reasons Parents May Choose to Pay for the Wedding Dress
While some parents might be motivated by wealth and social standing as many families had been in the past, most modern parents want to pay for their daughter’s wedding dress because…

  • It’s their baby girl! Parents are proud of their daughters and have a strong desire to help however they can. Being a part of the big day is a blessing, and if they are financially able to contribute to any part of it, especially for something as memorable as the wedding dress, parents wish to do so.
  • They want a say in the chosen bridal gown. Some parents might want to make sure the style is conservative enough for a church ceremony. Others might want to ensure they can play a part in the wedding dress selection process, creating priceless memories with their daughter every step of the way. If you’re worried about a “strings attached” feeling to your parents offering to pay for your wedding dress, but sure to communicate clearly from the start to avoid any drama later at a wedding dress fitting!
  • It’s a family tradition. Some parents start saving for this moment from the time their daughters are born because it has always been a tradition in the family to buy the wedding dress (and perhaps to fund other aspects of the wedding too). Continuing with this tradition, even in modern times, is a beautiful way to support the bride and pass on a legacy of love and support to future daughters.

Reasons the Bride May Choose to Pay for the Wedding Dress
Sometimes a bride will choose to pay for her own wedding dress! This is usually because…

  • She is on her own, budget-wise. A bride might be financially comfortable and able to cover most or all of her bridal expenses, which is especially helpful when her parents are less financially stable. A bride might also be out of touch with her family and not expecting any assistance from estranged parents, or she might just prefer to make her own decisions without any of the outside input that might come along with financial contributions.
  • She’s planning a surprise! While it’s traditional to keep the wedding dress a surprise from the groom, some brides also like to surprise their family with the gown they’ve chosen. Seeing multiple happy “awww” faces provides a super satisfying boost of endorphins throughout the wedding day!
  • She wants to wear two wedding dresses. Having your family foot the bill for one dress is, in many cases, a lot to ask, so most brides would never expect help with the cost of two wedding dresses. In this case, the bride’s family’s wedding responsibility might be to cover the cost of the wedding dress worn for the ceremony while the bride purchases the gown she wants to wear for dancing and mingling at her reception. If you’re in the market for a second gown, be sure to check out Avery Austin’s gorgeous reception wedding dresses! Wondering if the two wedding dress trend is right for you? Avery Austin’s got all you need to know in this blog about wearing two wedding dresses!

Whether your family is more traditional about wedding dress shopping or not, remember that these days, a bride gets the final say! Make your hopes and dreams for your wedding dress and your big day very clear to all involved in the bridal expenses right from the start, then it’s likely you’ll avoid most of the misunderstandings that might crop up along the way.

How to Make Buying Your Own Wedding Dress a Reality

It might be a desire to purchase your own wedding dress or a need to do so, but either way, it is both possible and affordable! Here’s how to get started on becoming the one who buys the wedding dress:

  • Do Your Research. It’s possible to find affordable wedding dresses in a range of price points, so you can absolutely fit the cost of a bridal gown into your solo budget. To get started, give this Avery Austin blog on finding affordable high-quality wedding dresses a read.
  • Make (and Stick to) Your Budget. You need to be thorough to cover all of the possible costs and be honest about what you can reasonably pay for given what you’ve saved up for your wedding day. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and splurge on your wedding dress, but if you have a plan in place, you’re more likely to avoid this possibility. If you do overspend, then you’ll need to go back and make adjustments to other areas of your budget. Be sure to check out Avery Austin’s 10 wedding planning tips to help you prepare (especially step 2, which is all about making your budget).
  • Take Charge of Wedding Dress Shopping. From deciding who you want to accompany you to where you want to go, if you’re in charge then you’re more likely to stick to your own budget and focus on styles that make you feel beautiful and happy. Even better, there’s a way to ensure zero pressure to try on styles your family wants you to try on. Simply preselect the ones you want! Wondering how to accomplish that? Do your wedding dress shopping online with Avery Austin! Build your own Try at Home Box to have up to 3 wedding dress samples of your choosing delivered to your door, then you’re only trying on your chosen styles! No push from family or salon stylists to veer from your budget or personal preferences. For more tips on how to take charge of your bridal gown shopping experience, check out Avery Austin’s blog on how to prepare for wedding dress shopping.

Modern times call for new bridal traditions, and for many, that means a change in who buys the wedding dress. While parents continue to step up to the plate and help pay for wedding dresses, these days there are many others who are willing to help as well. Your future spouse or other family members are some of the people who might help pay for your wedding dress, or you can choose to pay yourself. Decide what works best for you, then start planning for the best party of the bridal experience: choosing your wedding dress!