Elopement Wedding Dresses Under $300

Just because you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a dress doesn’t mean you can’t find the wedding dress of your dreams!

Many brides struggle with the idea of spending a few thousand dollars on a dress they will only get to wear once. The average wedding dress costs $1,800 to $2,500 plus an additional $200 to $600 in alterations. For most, this isn’t feasible.

If your wedding dress is an important aspect of your wedding day but you don’t want to spend $3k on a dress you only get to wear once, this post is for you! I’ve put together a list of beautiful wedding dresses for under $300 as well as share tips for your search.

Tips for your dress search

I’m an elopement photographer, but before I started documenting love stories, I worked in a bridal shop and before that, as a Costume Designer for film and stage productions. So I know a thing or two about fancy dresses. Here are a couple of tips to help you along your dress search.

Know your Size

Take the time to figure out your measurements. You’ll want to know your bust size, waist size, and hip size.

Here are some tips for getting accurate measurements:

Use a soft measuring tape. When taking your measurements, don’t pull it tight, leave just enough room for it to sit comfortably around you.
Hips and bust are measured at the widest area
Waist is measured at the smallest area
If you’re not quite sure where your waist should be measured, stand upright and place your hand on your hip. The top of your hand should naturally go to your waist.

Sometimes the dress you think you want isn’t what you like on yourself.

Working in a bridal shop, I learned that oftentimes what brides think they want is the exact opposite of what they actually like once saw the dress on themselves.

If you have some local bridal stores near you, I highly recommend giving them a visit to try on some dresses to get an idea of what style you like the most on your own body as well as to see if they have any options within your budget (most shops have a discount or budget section!)

Just make sure that you are upfront about your budget and why you’re coming in. Not all shops will allow you to try on dresses if you’re not actually looking to buy.

Keep in mind what you plan on doing in your dress

It’s important to know what you’ll be doing in your dress when choosing a style. Will you be having an adventurous elopement outdoors, hiking and being active? An A-Line dress with a beautiful train would be stunning and practical! Are you having a traditional wedding where the only activity you’ll be doing is swaying gently on the dance floor with your new hubby? That fishtail style dress you’ve been eying might be perfect!

Allow time for alterations

Plan on getting your dress 2-3 months before your elopement to allow time to get it altered if needed. Most dresses will require some level of alterations in order to get the fit just right or to add a bustle if you have a train.