Best Vintage Wedding Dresses Ideas When On a Budget | Thatsweetgift (2024)

Best Vintage Wedding Dresses Ideas When On a Budget | Thatsweetgift (1)By Jane

last updated:Apr 09, 2019

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Are you getting married? Congratulations!! What an exciting time in life. Besides of course the joy of marriage, one of the most exciting parts of getting married is- the dress! Selecting the perfect wedding dress is something most girls have dreamt about since they were young.

While the great news about today’s fashion is that absolutely any style goes, that can make it difficult to decide what you want! Long sleeves, strapless, tulle, lace, silk, short dresses, ball gowns, trains, no trains, oh my! It can be overwhelming for any bride to start to narrow down her list.

One style that many brides are gravitating to these days, however, is a vintage style of gown. These gowns are completely timeless and it is easy to understand why so many brides are going with this style. Unique enough to stand out from the crowd, yet classic and elegant enough to fit with any style of wedding, these gowns are breathtaking.

Not sure if you want to go vintage for your big day? Here are some wonderful ideas to give you some inspiration!

Beading

Nothing says vintage like beautiful beading work, like the back detail of this dress has. If you are afraid the beading will overpower you, go with small details like this dress has. Or, for a full vintage effect, go for a full beaded gown! You will look like you came right from the set of The Great Gatsby, but in the best possible way.

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Beadwork always looks gorgeous on a wedding dress, giving plenty of sparkle and detail that any bride would want on her special day. For a full vintage effect, find a dress with a mix of beads, including darker ones, pearls, as well as crystal beads as well for the perfect touch of sparkle. Go with more simple jewelry to balance the beading on your dress for a wonderful, classic vintage look. Add a vintage pin or other headpiece to your hair to tie the entire look together.

Vintage Lace

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Lace will always be a preferred fabric for most brides, but for a full vintage look, look for a dress with a vintage lace, like this beautiful tiered lace dress. Vintage lace has a more expensive, rich appearance to it that many brides look for on their wedding day. Often times, the lace will be mixed with other vintage details like beading or buttons to create a beautiful, romantic style dress. If that sounds like the look you are searching for, vintage lace is what you should keep an eye out for!

Mix in some sparkle with your jewelry or headpiece to balance out the look for a truly beautiful, romantic appearance.

Chandelier earrings would look perfect along with a vintage crystal comb or crown. This is the perfect look for any Victorian loving, romantic bride!

Tea Length

Believe it or not, tea length dresses used to actually be very popular! This is a vintage style that will certainly make a statement and is perfect for any bold bride who wants to really do something different on her wedding day. Perfect for a more casual ceremony, or for a beach wedding, a tea length dress is a wonderful way to do things differently while still looking like a bride on her wedding day. Mixed with beautiful lace, this is just as beautiful of a dress as any full length gown, but gives you more freedom to move around and dance!

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Keep this look casual with a simple updo and minimal jewelry, or elevate the look by adding in jewelry and an intricate shoe. You can take a tea length dress either way! Either way, you will have a vintage look that everyone will be sure to remember for years to come (in a good way!)

Bold Embellishments

We’ve already talked about vintage beading, but another vintage style is a more confined bold embellishment, like you can see on this beautiful dress. Perfect for a bride who wants to do something different, but wants her overall style to still be simple. Choose a dress with embellishments in one contained area such as on the waist area, or on the sleeves, or even at the bottom of the dress. This will give your dress a wonderful vintage look without being over the top. If you are a bride with a more simplistic style, this is a great way to wear the trend while still being yourself!

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Add in a similar looking hair piece to tie your look together for one that is vintage, effortless, and totally gorgeous.

Art Deco

Finally, one of the most popular styles vintage styles of dress for brides today is an Art Deco style dress. With intricate pearl (or similar) beading in geometric shapes, this is another style dress that screams Great Gatsby and is perfect for any bride who wishes she lived during the 1920s! This is also a great style for any bride who wants a long gown, but doesn’t want a ball gown or a trail to deal with. This is an elegant gown, but one that you can still easily move and dance in!

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If you are looking for an expensive, intricate looking gown with vintage appeal, an Art Deco gown should be at the top of your list. Easily dress this gown up or down, depending on how formal of a bride you want to be, and you will be ready to go! All you need is an appropriate vintage wedding hashtag to go along with you!

All dresses are available for purchase from David’s Bridal.

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FAQs

What is a realistic wedding dress budget? ›

Generally, the average cost of a wedding gown is typically between $1,800 to $2,500. Off-the-rack gowns may be priced lower than $1,800, while more luxurious gowns can sometimes fall in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. Customized dresses can even cost up to $10,000.

How to make a wedding dress look vintage? ›

Look for features like buttons, bows, beading, or sequins that were popular during the era you're referencing. Incorporating a waist belt, sash, or ribbon can also add a vintage touch. Consider a tea-length or ankle-length dress for a retro-inspired look.

What older brides should wear? ›

Having dressed many older brides for their wedding day, we find bridal outfits with sleeves to be of preference. Whether the bride chooses delicate lace, intricate beading or classic satin, sleeves are a great way to add a touch of modesty and sophistication to wedding dresses for brides over 50.

How old does a wedding dress have to be to be vintage? ›

Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s. These dresses often possess unique characteristics that set them apart from modern bridal gowns. The appeal of a vintage wedding dress lies in its authenticity and timeless elegance.

Is $1000 a good budget for wedding dress? ›

Buying a wedding dress between $1,000-2,000 means that you're in the average cost range, and anything over $2,500 means you're in the higher range, and less than 1,000 is definitely the lower end of the pricing scale.

Who pays for wedding dress? ›

Who traditionally pays for the wedding dress? One of the most closely stuck-to traditions is that the bride's family will pay for the wedding dress. This also includes any accessories the bride may wear, such as a veil, a bag and shoes. For modern weddings, the bride may want to pay for her own dress.

Are vintage wedding dresses worth money? ›

Are vintage wedding dresses valuable? If a vintage wedding dress is valuable or not depends on multiple factors. Mainly the condition, size, purchase price, maker and fabric quality. The value can also be considerably influenced by whether the style of the dress is in fashion at the moment or not.

Are old wedding dresses worth money? ›

Used wedding gowns typically sell for between 40% and 60% of the retail price. And, in many cases, they've never been worn.

What makes a wedding dress vintage? ›

Fabrics: The fabric of the wedding dress is a major factor in adding a vintage vibe to your look. Vintage-inspired fabrics may include lace, tulle, satin or brocade. Necklines and Sleeves: Another element of retro style are the specific necklines and sleeve styles that were iconic in different eras.

Should older brides wear veils? ›

Whether it is incorporating a bit of color so that you don't look so traditionally bridal, choosing a short veil or headpiece that makes you feel beautifully feminine and chic, or going with a nontraditional cape for a bit of shoulder and arm coverage, the options are endless for older brides.

What do older brides wear in their hair? ›

Hair pins or hair combs can be an option, embellishing a sleek up do. Side tiaras can work well, particularly in short hair. Birdcage veils definitely work well but steer clear of cutesy bows. Either a beaded or embellished centre of elegant sculpted feathers work well.

What Colour should the mother of the bride not wear? ›

Answer: Typically the mother of the bride's outfit is whatever fits her style. In terms of color, traditionally, attendants and the MOB would avoid white (upstaging the bride), black (it reminds people of mourning) and red (because it's flashy).

What color should an older bride wear? ›

Older brides looking for a non-traditional wedding dress may love a non-white option for their vow exchange. From glamorous champagne shades to bright blue, there are no rules when it comes to wedding day style, so you can decide what color you want to rock as you walk down the aisle.

What color should a second time bride wear? ›

Opt for neutral, pastel shades to keep it simple and sweet. Soft pinks, oranges, blues, rose or champagne-colored dresses are not only elegant, but also complement daytime weddings perfectly. Using the seasons as a guide for your second wedding dress can be both unique and appropriate.

What should a bride wear for a second marriage? ›

For your second wedding, wear whatever you want. This is still your wedding day, and you should wear whatever makes you feel beautiful. You may choose to stick with traditional white, or switch it up for an ivory or blush color – or something even brighter! Whatever you pick, make sure it makes you happy.

Is $1500 too much for a wedding dress? ›

Wedding dresses come in all different prices. We offer a wide selection starting under $1000. Keep in mind that the average price of a dress in our shop is $1500. You can get all different silhouettes and wear a designer gown and still stay within your budget.

How do I determine my wedding dress budget? ›

Before you start shopping, you should have determined your overall wedding budget, then decided on a number that you feel comfortable spending on a wedding dress. Generally speaking, fashion (including both the bride and groom's attire and accessories) should eat up about 10% of that total number.

What percent of your wedding budget should be dress? ›

Before you can determine how much you are willing to spend on a wedding dress, you will want to figure out your overall wedding dress budget. Typically, 10 percent of your overall wedding budget will go toward attire. This includes both the bride and groom's attire, accessories, and alterations.

What makes an expensive wedding dress? ›

The more intricate the designs and fabric, the more the higher the cost of the gown. Also, embellishments are added manually to the gown that adds a lot of work to finish the details.

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