If a designer dress is not in your budget and you can’t find any inexpensive options that you like, there is also the option of piecing your dress together from various sources.

Step 1: Choose a dress with the shape you want.  A-line, Princess, Empire waist, Mermaid, Drop waist, etc.  Here is a very inexpensive example of the most common wedding dress shape: A-line.


Step 2: Choose the sleeve style that you like.  Short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, long sleeve.

Step 3: Choose the fabric for the sleeves.  Lace, Satin, Chiffon, Fur, etc.  Here is an example of a 3/4 length sleeve lace bolero.

The final look would be something along the lines of this dress:

The best part? The total cost of this outfit is less than $260!

Here are a few more pairings that I think would work well.

This dress + This bolero = $380


This dress + This bolero = $390

These are all ready-made items but there is also the option of commissioning a seamstress, your mom, or crafty friend to add sleeves or make a lace overlay for your strapless/sleeveless dress.  Who says you can’t be beautiful, fashionable, AND unique on a budget?

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