So you’re engaged – congratulations! We’re sure you have so many ideas for your big day running through your head and your Instagram inspiration ready to go. But one thing we have little doubt on is that you’ve already thought about THAT dress.
Whether you’ve pictured yourself in it, admired it in a magazine, or even tried something on already (you wouldn’t be the only one to try a wedding dress on before they’re engaged!), we want to help you pick out the perfect dress for you. And we know that comes down to not only what you have in mind, but also where it fits in your budget.
So what is the average cost of a wedding dress? And how does your budget compare?
So you’re engaged – congratulations! We’re sure you have so many ideas for your big day running through your head and your Instagram inspiration ready to go. But one thing we have little doubt on is that you’ve already thought about THAT dress.
Whether you’ve pictured yourself in it, admired it in a magazine, or even tried something on already (you wouldn’t be the only one to try a wedding dress on before they’re engaged!), we want to help you pick out the perfect dress for you. And we know that comes down to not only what you have in mind, but also where it fits in your budget.
So what is the average cost of a wedding dress? And how does your budget compare?
The cost of a wedding dress is…
Drum roll please… the average cost of a wedding dress in Australia is $2,649, which has gone up 4% from 2018. It’s no surprise to us that brides are spending a little bit of extra money when it comes to their perfect wedding gown. This factors in those who are buying off the rack, as well as brides who have their dress custom made.
If you’re based in Melbourne or Sydney you’re also more likely to spend a bit more over the average national budget, with the state averages coming in a bit higher. But those further north, south or west will may save a little.
The average cost of a wedding dress per state is:
- New South Wales – $2,837
- Victoria – $2,806
- Queensland – $2,179
- South Australia – $2,569
- Western Australia – 2,544
- Tasmania – $2,208
- Northern Territory – $2,650
- Australian Capital Territory – $1,816
We’ve broken it down and discovered that the typical bride will spend around 7% of their wedding budget on the dress. If you’re still trying to work out how much you should actually budget for your dress, login to our budget calculator and input your entire wedding budget to see what you could spend.
That said, 25% of brides say that their budget doesn’t matter if they find the dress of their dreams! And we’re also totally on board with that.
If you are concerned with your budget but still want that designer dress, take a look at preloved dresses. 20% of brides will buy a preloved dress for their wedding day, and there are some gorgeous designer gowns that you can get for a discounted price.
White Collection by George Elsissa
When should you buy your dress?
Now you have a bit more of an idea about what you should spend on your dress, it’s time to start thinking about when you should actually purchase it!
We recommend thinking about your wedding dress between 12 to 18 months from the big day. You might start thinking about what style you like and trying a few things on 18 months out, but once you get to that 12 months stage it’s time to think about the purchase.
This means you’re not buying your wedding dress too far out in case circumstances change, and you’re also not leaving it too late if you need to have custom details added or need any last-minute alterations.
Typically, the wedding dress is the fifth big decision you’ll make for your big day. So after booking your venue, celebrant, photographer, and a planner if you’re having one, it’s time to get your dress inspiration out and get ready to look like a princess!
