If you are on a tight budget you may be considering purchasing a used wedding dress.  If you leave your options open and allow plenty of time for used dress shopping, you can wear the wedding gown of your dreams while saving several hundred dollars.

Denver Wedding Photographer captures bride in wedding dress.

Be aware when you buy used — or any gown that isn’t straight from the designer — that it may be in less than pristine condition. Expect to have it cleaned or to make minor repairs.

Before looking at used gowns, research the various designers’ styles so you know which brands tend to have “your look.” While you are doing this, also decide what features you want your wedding dress to have. For example:

- What general style do you prefer (a-line, mermaid, etc.)?

- What color will your gown be (ivory, white, pink, etc.)?

- What necklines are acceptable to you (sweetheart, halter, etc.)?

- How long will your gown be and will it have a train?

- What type of detailing will it have (seed pearls, rhinestones, beading, etc.)?

Also, like everyday women’s clothing, sizes vary depending on the brand. Each designerpublishes a measurement chart. Using those charts, figure out your size in each of your preferred designers’ gowns (Remember that in all likelihood your wedding dress will need to be altered, whether you purchase it used or straight from the designer).

After completing your research, you are ready to begin looking for a used wedding gown. There are several places to find used gowns. You’ll want to set up notices, put in requests, and monitor each of them:

- Consignment stores can be a good used gown source. If you are lucky enough to have a local used formalwear store, alert the owner that you are looking for a dress.

- Craigslist is a very active used-goods marketplace. Find your local Craigslist, open a free account, and make an “item wanted” post. Do searches for the terms “wedding gown” and “wedding dress” in the clothing section — and monitor new listings often — to see what is currently being sold.

- There are several Websites that specialize in used wedding attire and/or create a buyer/seller marketplace (hint: search “used wedding dresses” or something similar in your favorite search engine).

- Buy at auction. By far the largest auction site is eBay, and they have an extensive bridal gown section. Many were worn once or are sales samples.

- While not technically “used,” bridal store floor samples are a great bargain. Most stores sell their last-season samples for $99 and up.

Other Ways of Finding Inexpensive Wedding Gowns

If your heart is set on a designer dress, but you don’t have a designer wallet, you might find a designer sample dress for a fraction of the cost at one of the above-mentioned floor sample sales.

You could also buy a designer duplicate. These resemble — but are not completely identical to — an existing designer gown. In general, you order the gown based on a photo of an existing dress. A seamstress, usually in an Asian country, then recreates the general look of the pictured gown — often for around $100. There are both positives and negatives to this approach. Whether a dress like this is right for you depends on your own priorities: If you expect the same quality of material and exact detailing as a designer original, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a way to very inexpensively purchase a formal wedding dress that will look good on you for a day, then consider this option.

A final way to find an inexpensive bridal gown is to consider a white or ivory bridesmaid dress to wear as an informal wedding dress. Because bridesmaid dresses are generally much less expensive than bridal gowns, you can save hundreds of dollars with this approach.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Denver Colorado Wedding - The Groomsmen!

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they’ve selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who’s, what’s, when’s, and why’s, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Colorado Bridesmaids

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I’m going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant’s. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don’t realize that the Bride and Groom’s first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don’t forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.

Article Source: http://www.free-wedding-articles.net

Tim & Tammy Smith operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company, located in Fargo, North Dakota. They have been providing entertainment for wedding receptions since 1994 and belong to several professional disc jockey organizations.