Custom Made or Off the Rack

Nowadays there are so many options for brides when it comes to their wedding dress. They can make it themselves, get it made or buy a dress off the rack – be it local or imported. But what should you consider when deciding which option to go for when on a tight budget?

Price

If you are opting to make the dress yourself or have a friend or relative make it, then you’ll probably be able to get away with saving quite a bit. If you are rather flexible on the type of material to be used, you’ll save even more. If you are considering getting a dress made by a professional dressmaker, you’ll be likely to pay a lot more. Remember that choosing a cheaper fabric won’t necessarily keep costs down, as most dressmakers will tell you that it’s their labour cost that adds up and becomes expensive, compared to the actual price of the fabric. Buying a dress off the rack would probably be your best bet if you have a strict budget to stick to. You’ll have a wide variety of off the rack dresses to choose from and can therefore choose a dress to fit you and your pocket.

Style

You’ve decided to ask your mom to make your dress to save on costs, but now the ultimate question arises - what style best suits your body shape? This could be one of the toughest decisions, especially if you not quite sure what body shape you have and which style would be more flattering on you. You’ll have a major advantage in answering this question if you’re making use of a professional dressmaker. A dressmaker will immediately identify the best shape dress to fit and flatter your body shape and enhance your best features. When buying a dress off the rack, you’ll have the opportunity to try on loads of dresses and you’ll immediately be able to identify the dress you feel most comfortable in. Just remember one thing - just because the dress feels good, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right style for you.

Fit

Once you’ve chosen the style, remember the fit is important. If mom is making your dress, her chances of getting a perfect fit is less than if you opted for someone who makes dresses for a living. A professional dressmaker will be able to get a flawless fit with no misleading lines or gapes. With an off the rack dress, you could get the perfect fit if you get it fitted at a professional dressmaker.

So when you’re deciding on how or where to get your wedding dress, make sure to weigh up all the pros and cons regarding homemade versus professionally made or store bought.