Picking the perfect wedding dress is a major decision that can sometimes leave even the most decisive bride stumped. You want to feel perfect on your wedding day and pick a gown that reflects your personality and vision for the big day. This leaves many brides deciding whether to buy an off-the-rack dress they love or work with a designer to get a custom gown.
While both options are great, they also have their challenges. This guide explores the pros and cons of off-the-rack and custom wedding dresses to help you make the best choice for your special day.
Off-the-Rack Wedding Dresses
“Off the rack” refers to the sample dresses you see on display in a bridal boutique. Typically, these gowns are tried on by brides and then ordered in the correct size. However, there are times when a bride may need a dress quickly, or she simply falls in love with the sample she tries on because it fits beautifully and meets all her expectations.
In these cases, a boutique may offer the option to purchase the gown “off the rack.” With just a few alterations to ensure a perfect fit, this can be a quick and convenient way to secure your dream dress without the need for multiple appointments or lengthy fittings.
Pro: It’s Convenient
Planning a wedding can be a very time-consuming process, and countless meetings with a dress designer to try and create your perfect wedding day look can be exhausting. Buying an off-the-rack wedding dress removes all of this, and with just a few fittings to ensure a perfect fit, you have your gown!
Pro: There’s Plenty of Variety
Bridal stores stock off-the-rack dresses in countless styles, fabrics, and price points, ensuring there’s something for everyone. From sleek, minimalist dresses to dramatic, embellished ball gowns, the diversity of options allows brides to identify the style and silhouette that best flatters their body shape.
Pro: It’s Affordable
The price of wedding gowns varies for each style and designer, but buying a dress off-the-rack is generally more affordable than commissioning a custom gown. Although the dress may not be mass-produced, it’s also not a one-of-a-kind creation, which helps to keep costs down. Plus, some designers even offer sample sales and trunk shows, where brides can purchase a designer gown at a discounted price.
Con: It Can Feel Generic
Although there are countless gowns on the market, buying off-the-rack can still feel a bit generic since at least one other bride will have that same dress; she may look completely different in it, but it’s still the same dress. If you’re seeking something that is original, you may struggle to find a gown that meets your expectations in stores.
Con: It May Not Be Perfect
Off-the-rack dresses are rarely a perfect fit since they are made according to a size chart and not your unique measurements. Some alterations will be unavoidable to ensure the dress fits perfectly.
Luckily, the problem of off-the-rack dresses not fitting right comes with an easy fix—alterations! Many bridal salons offer alteration services to ensure the dress fits you perfectly. It may cost a bit extra, but having a gown that hugs your curves in all the right places is worth it to feel fabulous on your big day.
Bridal Tip
Keep in mind that alterations could change the look of your gown. For example, if the dress has intricate details in the bodice, it may not be possible to take it in (make it smaller) without impacting the design. This can lead to a difficult decision for brides who have their hearts set on a specific dress but don’t fit into the standard size range. In this instance, if you need a dress in a shorter timeframe, it may be worth having a discussion with your bridal salon about whether the dress you love can be made to order in your size on a faster turnaround.
Custom Wedding Dresses
Unlike off-the-rack dresses, designers create custom gowns according to a client’s specific preferences, giving you complete creative control. We’ve listed the pros and cons of going down this route to help you make the decision on what is right for you.
Pro: It’s Perfectly You
A custom wedding dress reflects every bit of your style and personality because you had a hand in creating it. You’ll work with the designer to select the type of fabric, colors, gown style, and extra embellishments. The seamstress will also tailor the dress to your exact measurements so it’s a perfect fit for you.
Bridal Bonus
One of the most exciting aspects of a custom wedding dress is its exclusivity. No one will ever have the same gown as you, especially if you add hand-sewn elements such as applique or specific beading.
Pro: Your Options Are Limitless
Commissioning a dress also means broadening your options, and the only limits are your budget and the designer’s abilities. Brides can combine elements from multiple styles, incorporate cultural or personal details, and make their dresses their own. Whether you want a mix of vintage and modern aesthetics, unusual fabrics, or unique embellishments, the options are virtually limitless.
Con: It’s Expensive
A wedding dress is the most expensive item of clothing you will buy, and if this dress is a custom gown, it is even more costly due to all the work that goes into it. Designer fees, luxurious fabrics, intricate detailing, and multiple fittings add to a hefty price tag. However, it may be worth the investment if it’s a major part of your vision.
Con: It’s Time-Extensive
Designing a custom wedding dress is a time-consuming process that typically spans several months since there are many steps. You’ll have initial consultations with your designer for fabric selection and multiple fittings. This can be impractical for brides with shorter timelines or those with busy schedules who don’t have the time to fit numerous consultations and appointments in between other aspects of wedding planning and life.
Con: Uncertainty in the Final Look
One of the biggest disadvantages of commissioning a custom dress is that you don’t fully know how it will look until it’s time to try the gown on. There will be sketches and fabric swatches to view, but that’s not the same as seeing yourself in it. This can create stress for brides with a specific vision who worry that the dress won’t turn out exactly as they imagined.
Picking the Best Option
When it comes down to weighing the pros and cons of off-the-rack and custom wedding dresses, the best option comes down to preference. Think about what you want in a dress compared to what’s available. If you love standing out and have a larger budget, a custom dress may feel right; however, if you have a shorter timeframe and prefer convenience and knowing exactly what you’ll get, off-the-rack is ideal.
What’s most important is that you do what feels right. Start with visiting bridal salons and trying on dresses. If you can’t find the perfect one, evaluate what you like about preferred options. For instance, do you love the look of a sweetheart neckline, applique, and A-line skirts? Note all this so you can talk to a seamstress if you cannot find a gown in stores.
The Perfect In-Between
There’s a good chance you’ll find a gown in stores that would be perfect with some minor changes. This is where alterations save the day! A seamstress can alter the fit of your dress or change features such as the bodice.
Find Your Perfect Dress
Justin Alexander’s bridal dresses come in various styles that look stunning on every bride. Whether you’re looking for a fitted gown, a ballgown, or something in between, Justin Alexander has the perfect dress for every body type. With intricate lace details and flattering silhouettes, these dresses are sure to make any bride feel beautiful on her special day. Use our store locator to find the nearest Justin Alexander retailer and start trying on dresses today!
