A wedding dress is a pivotal part of your life that you will remember for years and see countless times again in pictures and videos. Choosing a style that is unique to you and a symbol of your personality is important. A wedding dress is a statement—it will be remembered for years to come, seen in photos and videos.

This list features affordable shops for your dream dress, that offer both value and style, making it easier for you to narrow down your shopping trips. 

Top 10 Wedding Dress Shops in Sydney for Brides on a Budget

1.  Grace Loves Lace 

This fantastic shop in Paddington that is recognised for boho-inspired, comfortable wedding dresses. They handcraft their wedding dresses using premium lace, silk, crepe and satin fabrics. The cost can go from a little above $4000 to around $1800. 

The brand is known for making the gowns comfortable to wear without compromising on elegance. Brides say that they love it due to the custom fittings and long-lasting fabric! They have a private styling suite and a personal stylist which ensures an intimate and comfortable setting. Grace Loves Lace offers complimentary appointments that allow brides to try on different styles for free. 

2.  A Bride’s Blessing

 In Parramatta, A Bride’s Blessing provides a range of affordable dresses, costing around $1600 and a wide selection not only for the bride but the bridesmaid, mother of the bride and anyone else requiring formal wear. They regularly update their collection and display their catalogue online which includes dresses for the bride to the flower girl! 

And if you are looking for plus-size options, this is the place to go. They also have a “sales” section. The staff is very helpful with their personalised service – which is why they truly go by their motto “Find the beautiful bride within.”

3.  LUV Bridal 

Possessing high-quality wedding gowns, if you want your husband to faint at your look, this will do it for you. LUV Bridal showcases a wide array of wedding gowns from Australian designers as well as International ones, including Madi Lane, Evie Young, Pronovias, Serene, Serene Amé, Jeune Bridal and Mia Solano. 

They are best known for their classic, vintage and formal designs. The gown sizes come in ranges from 2 to 28. Based in Crows Nest, you’ll be getting personalised service and expert consultations from a dedicated stylist. 

4. Karen Willis Holmes

Other than offering an astounding 25% off the veil if you sign up on their website, Karen Willis Holmes has been in the business for 25 years now and offers the most beautiful gowns. They do entertain walk-ins but if you book an appointment then you will get a stylist for 75 minutes, and in-house seamstresses. And if you don’t have the time, they even have elopement dresses! 

The dresses are contemporary, fashionable and so comfortable that will enable you to dance your heart away. They offer personalised gowns for brides who want an individual touch to their dress, to be unlike any other. Their flagship store is in Sydney, in Gladstone, New South Wales. 

5.  Perfect Day Bridal

Amazing craftsmanship, timeless designs and a level of sophistication is what Perfect Day Bridal offers. The quality is exquisite and the elegance is evident. They can be a bit pricey, starting from $1000 to $7500 but that is because the boutique features designers like Kelly Lin Couture, Aire Barcelona, Catherine R Couture, Justin Alexander, Reflection by Joseph Sayadi, Morilee, Ronald Joyce, Brides Desire by Wendy Sullivan, Jack Sullivan and Drew Valentine. 

They maintain sample options too costing around $500 with discounts of up to 50% off. The shop is in Willoughby and if you are looking to have a luxurious experience and want to be pampered, you are going to love their dressing rooms, which are private and comfortable with a relaxed atmosphere! They only take appointments and have a limit to allowed clientele per day.

6.  The Ivory Room Bridal

Founded by Nicole O’ Connor, The Ivory Room Bridal holds a collection featuring top global brands. A bit on the expensive side, but worth it as they provide high-end designer gowns at the perfect fitting. 

The staff takes their time to understand the bride’s preferences and have extensive knowledge of gowns and styles. The shop possesses gowns for the entire bridal party (the mother, bridesmaid, flower girl etc.) Go visit it in Paddington, and find a large collection of modern as well as traditional dresses. 

7.  The Sposa Group

Nothing says style and elegance like an Italian dress. Located just 6 Km from Sydney’s Central Business District, The Sposa Group has a three-level showroom featuring over 300 gowns! They showcase gowns from international designers including Demetrios, Cosmobella, and Divina Sposa. 

The details of each dress are intricately done and say luxury like no other, no compromise on quality either. They offer styles ranging from exquisite ball gowns and magical sheaths to beachy boho designs and modest dresses. Aside from the dress, the boutique offers detachable trains, skirts, sleeves, and even earrings as a personalized ensemble for the bride. Should you opt for the personalized VIP consultations, you are in for a memorable experience like no other. 

8.  Sweethearts Bridal Boutique

This 36-year-old boutique in Blacktown has romantic cuts and styles that will take your breath away, and that of your husband’s! It is very budget-friendly because they also sell pre-owned wedding gowns starting from $200 and the gowns can be customized too. The prices can go up to $2000. 

Sweethearts Bridal has amassed multiple awards for its amazing personal service and its certainty that each bride receives expert guidance and attention. The boutique features wedding dresses from esteemed designers like Maggie Sottero, Essence of Australia, Stella York, Martina Liana, Sottero & Midgley, Rebecca Ingram, Pronovias, and Brides Desire. They also possess a comprehensive bridesmaid selection, offering dresses from designers like Nicoltta, Tania Olsen and Sorella Vita. 

They update their inventory with the latest trends in bridal fashion, especially while hosting events such as the Stella York Trunk Show. This is especially for those brides who do not want to spend a lot on a wedding dress but want to look amazing! 

9. Idora Bridal

Are you looking around for handmade, customised gowns? Idora Bridal, located in Leichhardt, has wedding dresses with flair as their stitching is phenomenal, tailored precisely to the bride’s measurements. Their service is so friendly that if the bride wants to get a bit creative and design her wedding dress, she can select different elements from multiple dresses – a one-of-a-kind creation! 

The boutique offers hundreds of ready-to-wear gowns too, in case you are eloping or cannot wait to get married. Unlimited free alterations are a plus point too because dresses do sometimes need altering till the last minute. You might have to put in a little more money if you are on a budget, but the end look will make you happy for sure. After all, Idora Bridal has been awarded the ‘Designer of Dreams’ by the Australian Bridal Industry Academy in 2019, offering award-winning service. 

10. White Runway

As the name says, White Runway offers ready-made wedding dresses that can be picked up today, with over 350 styles in more than 30 colorways, available in sizes 4 to 24. If this is the day you want to get married, it is a perfect solution for all the brides who are eloping and want a wedding dress asap. It is located in Alexandria and even has bridesmaid dresses, if you want a friend or two to accompany you on your special day. 

They offer worldwide shipping, making their dresses available regardless of location. Because of a quick turnaround, the prices can be a bit steep but you’ll find many dresses within the limit too such as starting from $350 to around $800. They offer personalized appointments. White Runway has been awarded Bridesmaid Designer of the Year by Wedding and Events of Australia in 2013, reflecting what amazing pieces they must have. 

How to Choose The Perfect Wedding Dress Shop in Sydney

There is a place which will have a lot of lacy dresses, giving the traditional vibe while another will be so chic and modern, you won’t know what to choose. You need to know before going into any shop how much you are willing to spend. If you like a dress at first sight and it is not at all within the range you have set for yourself, avoid putting yourself in that situation. 

For bridal dresses specifically, all shops now require that you make an appointment rather than just walking in. There are very few who cater to walk-ins so best to call them up and set a meeting after you’ve done your research. Prepare your questions beforehand. Don’t get caught up in the whirlwind and the luxury, you should ask them if they offer customised solutions or in-house alterations before saying yes. And do ask about the cost of everything. 

What to Expect During Dress Shopping

Your first appointment should be relaxed and in an exploratory manner. Don’t fret over tiny details and glide through the racks and see what you like. It is the time that rather than exploring shops, you are exploring yourself. See the different designs, find out what particular style or lace is to your taste. This is the time to figure it out because actually looking at wedding dresses is very different than flipping through a magazine.

The second thing you have to brace yourself for is that don’t go into labels and brands. As much as it will attract you, always choose a dress that is a fit for you. Tips on recognizing the one? (The dress, not the husband) Well, it will make you feel magical and might even bring out a tear or two in your eyes or those of your friends. It will stand out more than any other dress you’ve tried on before and you’ll know that it’s you. Trust that feeling more than anything else. 

Choose the entourage very carefully when going dress shopping. You don’t want too many with you because let’s be honest, too many cooks DO spoil the broth, in this case; dress.

Insider Tips for Scoring the Best Deals

Shop during sample sales. Boutiques often clear out their past collection and set up a clearance sale that can give you stunning dresses on a budget.

Another trick is to shop off-season. Don’t overlook rental options either. Let’s not forget alterations. You can find a dress within the budget and then have it fit you. Seamstresses these days can do magic with all kinds of fabric so do think about that as well. 

Your Dream Dress Awaits – Located in the Best Wedding Dress Shops in Sydney

Getting married in Sydney is quite an adventure. The picturesque view will make your photos magnificent, especially if you have hired us, Perfect Moment Photo and Video, as your wedding day photographer. This list of wedding dress shops will make your life a lot easier because you know what you’re in for before even starting. Call us after finding your dream wedding dress and book Perfect Moment as your wedding photographer in Sydney!