affordable plus size wedding dresses under $500
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Surprise – I’m getting married! I’ve been (sort of?) quietly dating my partner for two years, and over the summer, we got engaged. The wedding industry is toxic and wild – but that’s probably a rant for a different day. Rather than authoring another thinkpiece about it, I wanted to compile some posts I wish I’d been able to find as I started planning this out. It’s hard to find affordable dresses, plus size dresses that aren’t just cupcake-y and chiffon, and very much advice or ideas on how to plan a non-traditional wedding.
Of course David’s Bridal is always a good source of dresses for plus and straight sizes, but I found a lot of them to be pricier than I anticipated they’d be. As I continue to research and plan my wedding, I keep stumbling upon disparate lists of great plus size bridal gown choices, so I thought I’d organize some together and share them here today!
Floravere
They have an online sample sale running now!
Gallery dresses: J. Jones | H. Golightly | D. Prince
Florave is an online startup that thinks carefully about their designs and details, and finds inspiration in fashionable celebrities. Their full-price dresses tend to be between $1500 and $3000, but there are some in a more budget-friendly range, like the K. Switzer. If you like a more classic silhouette, check them out for some affordable plus size wedding dress options!
BHLDN
Their sale section often has lots of affordable, under-budget options.
Gallery dresses: Fitzwater | Bethany | Sarita | Jones | Tinsley
Before I started wedding dress shopping, I imagined BHLDN to be wildly overpriced, like their sister store, Anthropologie. A few months into shopping and I now know they’re actually some of the more affordable options out there! In addition to their affordability, they’re also pretty size-inclusive, which also shocked me. They have gorgeous options, a range of designers, and sizes from 00 to 30. I did two store visits (with wildly different experiences each time,) but they’re definitely worth a look – right now, their sale section has pages of gorgeous options for under $500!
Amazon
Gallery dresses: Backless Mermaid Gown | Lace Mermaid Dress | Short V-Neck Dress With Applique | A-Line Beach Dress
I wish I had done more research on Amazon before buying my dress – I love it, but there are so many gorgeous options on Amazon for crazy, inexpensive prices. Many gowns are made up to size 26W and almost all sellers I’ve seen also offer custom size options. Purchasing a gown on Amazon and then getting any necessary alterations is almost certainly more inexpensive than many of the more popular plus size wedding dress lines!
Show Me Your Mumu
Check their sale section for inexpensive options!
Gallery dresses: Noelle Flutter | Jenn Maxi | Grace Beaded Maxi
Show Me Your Mumu is one of my favorite stores, and their wedding lines are just as boho, California-casual as the rest of their line. With options for brides, maids, and guests up to size 3X, even their most expensive gown is under $400.
Nordstrom
Gallery dresses: Cutout Lace Sheath | Lace Bodice Jumpsuit | Strapless Metallic Chiffon | Fields Plunge Dress | V-Neck Evening Gown
Nordstrom does have a dedicated wedding dress shop, but with some creativity, you can also find some “regular” dresses that fit the bill. Setting the filters to “white” or “ivory” in a dress search opens up lots of options in both straight and plus sizes – and since they aren’t classified as “wedding” dresses, you’ll automatically see some lower prices.
Unique Vintage
Check their sale section for gorgeous plus size gowns!
Gallery dresses: Antique Ivory | Holly Dress | Strapless Lace Crystal
With sizes up to 5X, Unique Vintage was my biggest regret as far as not finding them in advance of buying my dress. Their styles range from Hepburn-inspired, ’20’s flappers, and 50’s rockabilly, to brides wanting more modern lace and fitted mermaid gown looks. Their sale section has many dresses under $100, and they often team up with other brands like Barbie for even more unique styles!
Torrid
Gallery dresses: Off Shoulder Tulle | Ponte and Chiffon Dress | Ivory Lace Formal
Torrid only recently started breaking into “special occasion” dresses for plus size women, growing their already stellar lineup of clothes. With price points below $200 and frequent discount codes, they’re a must-look for plus brides in search of a more casual wedding dress.