House of CB / Rachel Gilbert
Throwing a wedding is one of the more expensive undertakings you’ll tackle outside of home ownership, and in 2026, most brides anticipating “putting a ring on it” are trying to figure out how to plan a fairytale wedding, affordably.
One place to save is your wedding dress, an item that can carry an eye-watering price tag if you don’t know where to look (we all know about the bridal tax). More expensive doesn’t always mean better, though, and brides are increasingly shopping for chic affordable wedding dress brands that they can look and feel their best in, without cutting plus ones from the guest list.
And, while the cost-of-living crisis certainly makes it hard to justify splashing tens-of-thousands on a dress, the phenomenon is also partly attributable to the rise in popularity of more low-key, non-traditional weddings, which leave room for more relaxed and affordable wedding gowns.
When it comes finding an affordable wedding dress, paying less doesn’t mean sacrificing style.
Best Affordable Wedding Dress Brands, According To marie claire:
Luckily, there are plenty of cool-girl fashion brands making wedding dresses that don’t blow the budget.
Below, find our favourite affordable wedding dress brands for 2026.
Related: The Stylish Summer Jackets To Wear When You Need A Light Layer
Retrofête
An affordable wedding dress brand that’s become a firm favourite amongst the It-girl set; New York-based brand Retrofête has dressed celebrities from Gigi Hadid to Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez. They create sexy, edgy and elegant pieces that take inspiration from the past, for party dresses and wedding gowns with perennial appeal. The brand’s bridal collection is full of slinky silk gowns around $1.000-$2,000, along with on-trend minis and relaxed halters.
Size range: XXS-XXL | Pricing: $600-$2,800
Available At:
RETROFÊTE
Magnolia Dress
RETROFÊTE
Reilly Dress
RETROFÊTE
Kelsie Dress
RETROFÊTE
Scorpius Dress
Rebecca Vallance
Australian designer clothing brand Rebecca Vallance is known for clean lines and modernist silhouettes, and its bridal collection is no different. From oversized bows on simple strapless gowns to long sleeves trimmed with feathers, this label is all about classic bridal wear with a playful, Holly Golightly twist.
Size range: 4-16 | Pricing: $649-$1500
REBECCA VALLANCE
Melva Strapless Gown
REBECCA VALLANCE
Winslet Mini Dress
REBECCA VALLANCE
Venice Gown Ivory
REBECCA VALLANCE
Delilah Midi
Bronx Banco
Known for their structured, feminine tailoring, Australian label Bronx Banco appear on red carpets worldwide and have been worn by everyone from Selena Gomez to Alessandra Ambrosio. Their bridal pieces are delicate and feminine; featuring boned corsets, ruffles, tiers and layers of lace. Prices start at $500 (on sale) and rarely extend far beyond $2,000 for bridal gowns.
Size range: XS-XL | Pricing: $500-$2,000
BRONX BANCO
Colette Mini Dress
BRONX BANCO
Tiffany Blanc Dress
BRONX BANCO
Allegra Sequin Maxi Dress
BRONX BANCO
Jasmine Bridal Gown
Atoir
Australian fashion label Atoir is blends both modern and classic silhouettes in wedding dresses that are staggeringly affordable. Fashion-forward and feminine, these looks scream ‘reception number’ or ‘dress number two’.
Size range: XS-XL | Pricing: $330-$960
Available at:
ATOIR
Mina Maxi Dress
ATOIR
Devon Gown
ATOIR
Eden Slip Dress
ATOIR
Catalina Mini Dress
House Of CB
Corsets are back in vogue, and House Of CB specialises in affordable wedding dresses with artful corsetry. Their elegant range of midi dresses are perfect for all those secondary bridal events, like brunches, lunches or casual engagement parties.
Sizes range: XS-XL | Pricing: $400-$700.00
HOUSE OF CB
Azalina Boat Neck Maxi Dress
HOUSE OF CB
Antonella Floor Length Fitted Dress
HOUSE OF CB
Marcella Georgette Pleated Maxi Dress
HOUSE OF CB
Thea Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress
Chancery
Chancery focuses on traditional silhouettes, such as puff sleeves, nipped bodies, and sweeping skirts, all at a super affordable price point. Most of their gowns are in the $400 range, making them a go-to for the budget-conscious bride.
Sizes range: 6-18 | Pricing: $150-$450
CHANCERY
Edith Drape Front Gown
CHANCERY
Desire Gown
CHANCERY
Honey Gown
CHANCERY
Trace Mini Dress
Shona Joy
Shona Joy is known for beautiful bias-cut gowns and silky, sexy silhouettes; all these design features are present in its bridal pieces. You’ll feel regal in these affordable wedding dresses with an emphasis on column-style cuts.
Size range: 4-18 | Pricing: $400-$1,100
Available at:
SHONA JOY
Eniko Lace Asymmetrical Mini Dress
SHONA JOY
Viva Round Neck Maxi Dress
SHONA JOY
Eniko Lace Gathered Maxi Dress
SHONA JOY
La Lune Lace Cross Back Maxi Dress
Rachel Gilbert
Rachel Gilbert makes designer bridal feel refreshingly attainable, with gowns starting sitting between $1700-$3000. While this does push the Australian designer to the upper tier of ‘affordable’, there are more affordable options under the $1,000 price point.
Size range: 6-18 | Pricing: $695-$5,995
RACHEL GILBERT
Rick Gown
RACHEL GILBERT
Bronte Dress
RACHEL GILBERT
Oryx Gown
RACHEL GILBERT
Winnie Gown
Eliya The Label
Already known for its occasion-worthy dresses, Eliya’s recent foray into bridal-adjacent styles has seen the label skyrocket in popularity. Here, the bride-to-be seeking glamour, sparkle, and something a little extra – whether it’s for the hens, the big day or something in between – will be overwhelmed by choice.
Size range: XS-XXL | Pricing: $400 – $900
Available at:
ELIYA THE LABEL
Lillie Dress
ELIYA THE LABEL
Rose Dress
ELIYA THE LABEL
Serina Dress
ELIYA THE LABEL
Ashton Gown
Meshki
Already a staple in Australian it-girl’s wardrobes, Meshki’s move into bridal has allowed brides to get classic silhouettes and on-trend cuts at a fraction of the cost while still looking elegant as ever.
Size range: XXS-3XL | Pricing: $119 – $1,999
MESHKI
Lillie Dress
MESHKI
Electra
MESHKI
Naomi
MESHKI
Eileen
How much should a wedding dress cost?
In Australia, “off the rack” or more affordable wedding dress brands at bridal boutiques typically cost anywhere between $1,350-$3000, depending on where you’re shopping. However, the list of affordable wedding dress brands has grown larger thanks to labels releasing bridal collections that sit alongside their ready-to-wear collections. As we’ve shown here, there are also plenty of brands that make bridal-style gowns at lower price points – so if you shop smart, you don’t necessarily need to spend four figures. The sky is typically the limit if you are looking for a made-to-measure gown. Prices generally start at around $4,500 but can go into the tens of thousands. Factors that influence wedding dress prices include the designer’s reputation, the quality and type of fabric the dress is made of and the complexity of the design.
How many months before a wedding should you buy your wedding dress?
The best time to buy your wedding dress will depend on whether you are shopping off the rack or looking at a custom gown. Most experts on the subject matter (and those with hard-won lived experience) recommend not purchasing your wedding dress too far in advance.
Yes, it’s great to feel organised, but in the space of 18 months, your taste, body and plans for the wedding itself can change, leaving you with a wedding dress you’re not happy with. Most made-to-order wedding gowns take six to nine months to create, so starting shopping around the 10-month mark should make you feel comfortable. The first fitting for your dress occurs at six to eight weeks, with your final fitting two weeks out from the date; this allows for any fluctuations in weight (a common occurrence during the stressful wedding planning period).
If you’re shopping for affordable wedding dresses off the rack, experts suggest trying to decide on a gown around six months before your wedding. This will leave you with enough time to make a considered decision, but not so much time that your taste will have entirely changed when the wedding date rolls around and leave time for alterations if your weight fluctuates (another tip is to opt for dresses with a corset-style back, or a fit that can be easily altered).
Related article:
- The Do’s And Don’ts Of Wedding Guest Attire — And What Works For Every Dress Code
- These Low Heel Bridal Shoes Are Both Comfortable And Cute
- The Most Unique Veils To Wear On Your Wedding Day
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
