The Commercialization of Wedding Fashion
Feb 24, 2009 Wedding Planning Institute
Vera Wang at Work
While recent reports compiled by The Wedding Report show that almost every bride wants a wedding dress and the vast majority of wedding dresses are purchased and not rented, four out of five brides surveyed are listing price as an important or very important factor in their wedding dress purchase.
According to the Wall Street Journal, retailers are listening to the market and demanding more commercially-priced offerings from top fashion designers.
With further information showing that only about one out of ten brides rate the dress designer as an important or very important part of their purchase decision, wedding gown designers such as Vera Wang are also listening and implementing cost cutting measures into their advertising and practicality into their designs to make their collections more commercial.
More and more brides considering second-hand gowns or even wedding debt to achieve their wedding dress dreams. It is vital that every Certified Wedding Planner or student learning how to become a wedding planner identify cost-reduction solutions for their clients in all areas of the wedding budget.
It's All About The Budget
Tags: Become a wedding planner, Certified Wedding Planner, Wedding Industry Fashion, Wedding Industry News, Wedding Industry Trends
Posted in Wedding Industry, Wedding Industry Fashion, Wedding Industry News, Wedding Industry Trends
April 9th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I believe a bride likes to wear a new dress on her wedding day. White or ivory are colors that can tend to soil very easily. I also believe that some brides plan to clean and store the dress for a future daughter to wear for her wedding day.
April 10th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I dont really think it matters if the dress is second hand or not. A bride could still acheive her wedding day dreams. I am currently a student at WPI and I think it is true that a wedding planner identify cost-reduction solutions for their clients in all areas of the wedding budget.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:08 pm
It is very important that retailers listen what the market really needs. There are affordable fashion designers who are working close to brides who do not need or want a pricy bridal gown, because what really matters to those ladies is to feel and look special without going broke. The job of a Wedding Planner is to help those brides to implement cost- reduction solutions for them to have a memorable wedding full of details and fun.
May 13th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I think it would be great if designers would create a more commercial line while also having their couture line as well. This would be a great way for them to cover all the bases, and have more options for clients who cannot afford high end prices.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I completely agree I believe that designers should defintely create things for more of a commercial liken and have a coutrue line. There are so many girls out there that dream of their perfect day and may want a “Vera Wang” dress but just can’t simply afford it. And I would hate to have to sit there and tell someone that they can’t have everything they want for their wedding day just because they can’t afford it. I believe the wedding planner needs to try to find every way possible to try and make sure the bride gets what she wants. But at the same time be realsitic. It’s hard out there with the economy and everything and I think brides are beginning to realize and are more willing to take 2nd hand stuff which then affects our designers who are now needing to start bend a little more.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
i think it just depends on the person and what kind of dress they want. you could not have alot of money and get a second hand dress that still looks brand new. or you could just want your own dress that no one has ever worn before.
June 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I think designers may do better if they catered to the every-day bride as oppose to designing dresses that are not realistic in style or price. There are so many brides who have limited budgets; knowing this, designers should consider making gowns in different price categories. As a student and a planner I am learning that a new trend with brides is that they are choosing designer gowns and sending their measurements overseas and are having their ideal wedding dress dream come true within the their budget.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The brides dress said it all. So the bride should be able to make her decision on how she feels and how he wants to fell like.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
In today’s economy, Im surprised more retail chains such as David’s Bridal dont exist. They have a large selection and are generally more affordable than a Boutique’s or Department Store’s offerings….
August 27th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Price should not have to be an issue when a bride is shopping for a new wedding gown. As long as you are not looking for a custom designer gown, there are fantastic companies out there where you are able to purchase your gown for under $1000.00. The designer P.C. Mary’s based out of Texas creates couture looking dresses that are not sold at couture prices. This designer’s dresses are gorgeous! With the bead work and detail that are put into the dresses, I would put it up to any couture designer selling their dresses for thousands of dollars. Most of P.C. Mary’s dresses are prices below $1000.00. All your guests see is how fabulous you look and feel in your dress. Designer is designer, just because one is more popular than the other does not mean that your designer dress is worth any less. Find the dress that you love and that looks great on you because of the fit and look, not because of the label inside.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
It seems as though brides are going to David’s Bridal before they go anywhere else unless they are really picky about the designer of the dress. They have really good deals!
October 4th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
If brides prefer a new dress as oppose to renting, or a used one; especially during the current economic status, brides are looking for simple-but-beautiful, low cost dresses that will make them look fantastic for their wedding day. However, there are still more economic choices even at the “designer” boutiques - brides can choose something with simple beading, or very little embroidery.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I am shocked at the fact that most brides do not realize that some stores will add on a rush fee of around $25 if you do not order your dress as well as your bridesmaid dresses with in around three to six month period before the wedding while this does not sound like a ton of money, if you have four bridesmaids that can be around $100 plus another rush fee for alterations so now you are looking at closer to $200. Just shows that is pays to plan ahead.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
It’s all about the dress, and the bride should get the dress she wants. Costs can be cut in other areas and still have an elegant wedding. The savings from the vendors can make up what she needs to help with the cost of the dress. A good wedding planner can help with the cost cutting with those vendors and make suggestions that will assist the bride in being able to afford the dress she wants. Quality should not be sacrificed for price. I don’t see too many designers lowering their standards for affordability when they already have a market. They wouldn’t be where they are today if they didn’t. If renting the dress versuses buying it will help her, I say go for it. No regrets later when she reflects back on that day.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I know the dress is an integral part of the wedding day…but why has no one really capitalized on renting wedding dresses…? Or “vintage” a.k.a. used dresses…? If anyone is already doing this, I’m not really aware of it…seems like a huge opportunity…
How many girls ever pull their dress out of the box once it’s been cleaned and stored…? And how many girls really ever wear their mom’s dress? I would venture to say it’s a very low percentage for both…
The way I see it, you have enough pictures of the dress, you’re never wearing it again, and your daughter is surely going to think it’s ugly…wouldn’t it be cool if you could sell it back to the designer the way you sell back your used college books…? At least get a little bit of your money back…?
I’ve heard of this new trend where girls are purposely trashing their dress and having photos taken in the process…like rolling around in the dirt or jumping in a huge mud puddle…if you girls are paying to willing trash their dress just for a photo, how many brides would line up to sell their dress back to a designer for a little cash back? And how many brides do you think wouldn’t mind buying a ONCE used couture gown for ½ the price, that they could never afford otherwise…?
Who do we need to talk to make this happen???