Buying a wedding dress doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. Here are some budget friendly tips if you’re trying to buy a wedding dress on a tight budget:

1. Look for some bargains– Bargains are a good place to start looking for a wedding dress. Some major stores and bridal shops holds an annual bargain sale and major bridal companies offer sample sales (most are available during the fall). This is a good chance to find ridiculously priced wedding dresses, but take note that they usually do not offer you fitting rooms. So, be prepared to wear a swimsuit or a cat suit so that you can feel free to fit it in front of other people.

2. Second hand dresses are not bad –Most people are a bit skeptical about buying a second hand wedding dress, but it only makes sense to go for second hand because these dresses are worn only once so you can be assured that it is still in good shape. Purchase a second-hand wedding dress from a consignment store because they only sell things that are in a top-notch condition, so you’ll likely find a good deal. Be sure to keep and read the return policy and that the dress you will be purchasing costs 50% less than a brand new dress with the same design. Furthermore, take note of any stains, markings and smell.

3. Non-Traditional Dresses –This is the time to lose that satin dress and 5 ft. train. There is nothing wrong in buying non-traditional dresses. Brides who are able to think out of the box are the ones who save a ton of money on wedding dresses. There are a number of department stores that sells generic white and ivory dresses that can be worn for different occasions, including weddings. You don’t even have to tell anyone where you got the dress from.

4. Ask from a relative –Why don’t you try asking you relatives or even your friends if you can borrow their wedding dress. Most of their dresses are tucked away, hidden and has never seen the light of day since their wedding day. Who knows, you might start a tradition of dress loaning within your family. Be sure to ask permission from the owner before you make any alterations to the dress.

5. Shop Online –If you have a little more time available on your hand you can go and shop online. This will greatly increase your options for wedding dresses. You can join online wedding forums to get suggestions from other bride-to-be’s. There are a lot of bargain offers online which can save you a lot of money.

6. Strictly stick to your budget –More than anything else, stick to your budget. Write down your budget on a piece of paper because you are more likely to stick to it if you have it documented. Be sure to Include the alterations, accessories, and the cleaning cost in your total wedding dress budget.