It’s no secret that wedding dresses come with hefty price tags. Whether you are on a budget or you simply don’t see the sense in spending a huge chunk of change on your wedding dress, you are probably wondering how you can get a beautiful gown for your wedding day that won’t break the bank.

Sample sales are an excellent option, as they usually offer steep discounts on designer wedding gowns; however, if you don’t feel like fighting the crowds or you don’t live in an area where sample sales occur, there is another way you can buy a wedding dress without spending a ton of money. How? – By purchasing a pre-owned dress.

If shopping for a pre-owned gown is something that you are interested in doing, you will be quite surprised to find that you can actually get a beautiful dress for a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. You may even find a greater selection of gowns, including rare finds or vintage pieces. While shopping for a pre-owned gown is definitely a budget-friendly option that can earn you a beautiful dress, there are some things that you want to keep in mind before you start shopping.

Here are some tips that will help you find the best used gown for your special day.

Always Shop at a Reputable Source

When you start your quest to find a pre-owned wedding dress, you will find that there are literally countless sources to choose from. While many of these sources are excellent, some of them are misleading. Buy a dress from a non-reputable source and you could end up paying way more than the dress is worth, or worse, you may not get the dress you thought that you were purchasing.

There are several retail websites that will protect you from buying from a listing that has been misprinted. Also, many offer you returns and will refund your money if you are not satisfied with your purchase. The majority of retail sites will also do their very best to block people who have scammed in the past, or you have the potential to be a scammer. Believe it or not, there are people out there who try to take advantage of brides. They will list a specific gown and details, and even include photographs of the gown, but upon receiving the gown, the bride discovers that it is not at all what she thought she was buying.

Be Mindful of the Pictures

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is definitely true when it comes to buying a pre-owned wedding gown. Be cautious of buying a gown from someone who has listed photographs from a third-party website. There is a chance that the seller’s gown isn’t what the picture represents, and you could end up getting something completely different than you saw listed in the photographs.

Your best bet is to choose a dress that has pictures of the seller actually wearing the dress, or of the dress in a natural setting, like the seller’s home. These photographs are a sure sign that you will actually receive the dress that is featured in the photographs.

If possible, see if the seller will Skype or FaceTime with you. This way, you can see the dress for yourself before you actually commit to purchasing it.

Review the History

Most websites that sell pre-owned wedding gowns will list the history of the seller and of the dress; the dress has only been owned by one person, or it has only been worn once. If you do not see a history of the dress and/or the seller, make sure you find out the history yourself before you commit to buying. You want to find out if the seller is the only person who has worn the dress, or if she has worn it at all. You will also want to find out if the gown has any visible wear and tear, if it has been altered, and if it was cleaned after it was worn.

Measure Twice, Order Once

Once you find a pre-owned dress that you like, you to make certain you understand the sizing. Find out who the designer of the gown is and how true to size that designer typically runs. You will also want to find out what type of alterations where made to the dress, if any, as well as the current measurements.

You are far better off buying a gown that is too big or too long, as it is far easier to take in and shorten a dress than it is to let out and lengthen it.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to find a beautiful, affordable pre-owned wedding dress that won’t break the bank, but that will make you look beautiful on your wedding day.