Bridals on a Budget

During wedding preparations, the quest for the perfect bridal dress can be a dizzying experience, especially when trying to navigate through the glitz without breaking the bank. Let’s face it: with the economy’s ups and downs, committing to an exorbitant bridal ensemble seems less like tradition and more like a chore. But your special day does not need to be dimmed by budget constraints. Lucky for you, we have scoured high and low to come up with unbelievably easy solutions for pocket friendly bridal wear.

Rent It

The first and easiest solution for curtailing your budget is to just rent the outfit. This hassle-free option is also a great fit for those who advocate for sustainable fashion. Online platforms today give you a variety of options featuring nearly all your favourite designers. Outfits begin under PKR 5000 ranging up to PKR 100,000. Some platforms that can help find your dream bridal on a budget include Closetor and Let’s Rent It.

Unstitched Collections

Designers across Pakistan have made our lives easier with the festive collections they come out with each year. These lines have been created primarily for bridesmaids and the attending guests. However, there is no reason they cannot be used to create a bridal outfit that is affordable. Pick an unstitched ensemble from your fravourite designer and collaborate with your local trusted tailor.

To transform this unstitched outfit into a regal bridal, simply add embellishments to the existing outfit, modifying it to suit your taste. The modifications could be in the form of: introducing a new color to the outfit, pairing it with a new dupatta, adding a can-can under your lehnga and so much more. Just remember, the devil is in the details and the beauty is in personalizing the outfit.

Heirloom Chic

There is something timelessly romantic about wearing a piece of family heritage. To create a stunning bridal simply refashion your mother’s or grandmother’s bridal attire to honor your lineage and make a statement that’s both economical and sentimental. By incorporating modern trends or personal touches, such as adding contemporary embroidery or adjusting the silhouette, these vintage ensembles can be transformed. With a few creative alterations, these vintage ensembles can be reborn into a contemporary masterpiece that tells a story as old as time.

Get Creative

A decent bridal doesn’t have to be dripping with sitara and pearls. It is all about how well you engage your creativity. If you are starting from scratch, you can benefit from selecting busier fabrics that have pre-existing self-patterns or embroidery. Collaborate with your local adday wala, strategically place heavier work on the front of the outfit to give the illusion of a heavy bridal. For the dupatta, which is notoriously more expensive to create, applique pre-existing adda work lace from your local shop around the borders with a spray in the centre. It will save you a lot of your hard-earned cash. Creative strategy can achieve a regal look without the royal expenditure.

Sample Sales

Keep an ear to the ground for sample sales by your favorite designers. These events can be goldmines for finding a stunning dress at a fraction of the original cost. Sign up for newsletters and stay alert – with a bit of effort and timing, you might snag the deal of a lifetime. Many designers like Sadaf Fawad Khan, Asifa & Nabeel, Mahgul, Karma and more regularly hold sample sales. Be sure to begin planning for them as early as possible.

To locate these sales, you can start by researching designers, following their social media pages (where they tend to update news about their sales!) and subscribing to their mailing list. Do not hesitate to call up boutiques and check when they will be holding their next sale. Regularly check websites that offer sales on wedding wear like LAAM to clue you in about the current sales. Bonus points if you also can network with other brides.

Finding the ideal bridal dress for your special day doesn’t have to be a financial burden or a compromise on style. From renting a designer outfit to creatively repurposing vintage pieces, and exploring sample sales to personalizing unstitched collections, there are numerous avenues to explore that are both budget-friendly and stylish. The essence of your wedding attire is not in its price tag, but in the way it reflects your personality and resonates with your unique story. Happy hunting!