The Ultimate Guide to Online Wedding Dress Shopping 2022: Tips, Tricks and Shops to Consider

The purchase of your life is on the horizon: you know what we are talking about. The wedding dress shopping. Let us just ask you first, are you ready?

Every woman dreams about that experience of trying on gorgeous wedding dresses while celebrating with friends with a glass of bubbly champagne... Just like we all saw on TV, right?! Well, the times have changed and more and more brides-to-be are opting for online wedding dress shopping. According to the Knot Wedding Attire Study, 45% of females said COVID impacted how they searched for attire.

We know shopping for a wedding dress in store is undoubtedly a joyous experience, but online wedding dress shopping has a quite big list of benefits too. First, you can shop from anywhere, like from the couch or while cooking your favorite meal. And at any time, without needing an appointment -  whether it is in the middle of the night, day, or early in the morning. Online stores are always open. Best of all, you will avoid shopping crowds and pushy salespersons, and all the stress that goes with it.

Beautiful Bride [photo: Ksenia Chernaya]

While online wedding dress shopping is incredibly convenient, it is less expensive, too. According to the Knot Study, the average wedding dress cost in 2021 was $1,800. The dress style, designer, and alterations all impact the final price tag, and most of the time it can be an expensive purchase. And this is where the online stores pop out. Because of frequent promotions and deals, you can get a dream wedding dress for a much lower price. Even under $300. Yes, you read that right! This means you can spend the rest of the money on the things like food, an open bar for your guests, flowers, etc.

And did we mention an unlimited amount of dresses?! You can browse literally thousands of dresses, in every style, shape, and color you can imagine. Best of all, you can instantly compare dress prices and find the perfect one, for less $$$.

If you still have any questions about wedding dress shopping, we are here to help. Scroll down and find out how to shop for the perfect wedding dress online, stress-free, while saving money. And what are the best places to shop.

7 Tips for Buying Wedding Dress Online

1. Set Your Budget

Set your wedding dress budget! It is one of the most important things you need to do before buying a dress, and it will make your online shopping experience so much easier. You don't want to fall head over heels with a wedding dress and then realize you can't afford it, right?

So how to set your wedding dress budget? Our advice to you is to give your overall wedding budget some real thought. Write down all the costs, and then determine a number that you feel comfortable spending on a dress. Generally, a wedding dress should eat up about 5% of your overall wedding budget. Once you have the number in your mind, it is time to go shopping.

2. Research and Read Reviews

Before adding the wedding dress to your cart, make sure you read the reviews and everything you can about the online shop you choose to order from. You don't want to end up with a wedding dress that is too small, or the bad quality.

3. Find the Right Size and Style for You

A lot of factors go into the perfect wedding dress. Style, cut, fabric, etc. It is important to find the right style and silhouette for your body shape.  We always recommend Pinterest, it is a great way to get inspired and find the style you love.

As for sizing, you have probably heard that bridal sizing runs small. And that is true! So make sure you check size charts in online shops, and determine your size based on your body measurments. Make sure that the body measurements are as accurate as possible. And if you have any questions, you can always ask their customer service.

4. If You Are Not Sure, Order a Larger Size

If you are in doubt and not sure about your measurements, order a size up. It is always easier to create a custom fit in your wedding gown when you have extra material to work with. Hire a professional seamstress who knows how to work with fine fabrics and will be able to alter your dress.

5. Order Wedding Dress on Time

We recommend ordering a wedding dress eight months before the big day. This leaves you enough time for fittings and tailoring. Keep in mind that wedding dress alterations can cost from $50 to $1,000 depending on what needs to be done.

6. Read Return Policy

Something that most brides forget. Read the return policy, before you click the buy button. You don't want to end up with a dress that you don't like or that is too small. In most cases, if you want to return a gown, it must be returned within 15-30 days of delivery, and must not be altered, worn, or washed. But every store has its return requirements, so make sure you check them out before buying.

7. Discount and Promo Code

One of the best things about online shopping is discounts and promo codes. Many online shops and retailers provide coupons and discount codes to save you money when you shop online. Also, they usually have an offer if you subscribe to their newsletter you will get 10% or 15% off.

Best Places to Shop Weddding Dress Online

1. Lace & Liberty

Website: https://www.laceandliberty.com/pages/custom-wedding-dress-design

Looking for a one-of-a-kind wedding dress, but somehow being overwhelmed with all the options? Have you ever thought about designing your own dress? Well, Lace & Liberty brings that one-of-a-kind experience to you. With the help of talented bridal designers and experienced seamstresses,  you can choose the style, silhouette, lace, fabrics, and more and design your dream dress.

Custom gown price range: $1500 - $4500

2. She Wore Flowers

Website: https://www.sheworeflowers.com/

Perfect for care free brides-to-be. Launched in 2018, She Wore Flowers offers a beautiful collection of bohemian wedding dress designs perfect for brides who want to make an effortless statement on their big day.

Stunning Wedding Dresses [photo: Aliona Zueva]

3. Sanyukta Shrestha

Website: https://www.sanyuktashrestha.com/

Searching for a sustainably-made wedding dress? Well, is there a better designer in the bridal market than Sanyukta Shrestha? This Nepalese-born British designer has redefined the bridal world with her innovative sustainable ethos by designing luxurious eco-friendly, ethical and vegan wedding gowns. Each gown is made of sustainably sourced and handmade fabrics, which gives a bride a more comfortable wearer feeling.

4. Grace + Ivory

Website: https://www.graceandivory.com/

Grace + Ivory is a bridal brand, that offers elegant, feminine, timeless bridal gowns, that celebrate every women's body. They create beautiful, custom, made-to-measure wedding gowns for the socially conscious bride. They also offer a really cool try-at-home bridal experience. All you need to do is order a sample dress from their website, try it at home, and choose the perfect one. And then mail back the samples within 3 days and order your dream wedding dress from their website. Amazing, right? Read more about the whole process here.

Wedding Dresses prices range: $1390  - $2200

Bride Trying on a Wedding Dress [photo: Anton Mislawsky]

5. Asos

Website: https://www.asos.com/

Are you on a tight budget or a tight deadline? Than ASOS bridal line is perfect for you. Here you will find expensive looking gowns for as little as $100. They have a gorgeous selection of bridal wear for every style, shape and budget.

6. David's Bridal

Website: https://www.davidsbridal.com/

David's Bridal is one of the most popular and largest wedding retailers. Here you will find a stunning collection of gowns, for every style – romantic, modern, or bohemian. They offer sizes for everybody 0-30W. Prices range from $100 to $2000, so there is something for every budget.