Category Archives: Wedding Dress Sale

Our lovely brides-to-be need all the details so that you can find your ideal dress within your budget. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of tariffs on the cost of wedding dresses.

Planning your big day is so exciting! From the “yes!” to the “I do!” there is so much to figure out. Deciding on a budget and figuring out what price point you are looking for is an important step in deciding on everything from the size of the wedding, the location, and, of course, your dress. There are many factors that affect the cost of buying your ideal dress. And yes, one of those factors is the tariffs. 

In this article we’re going to break down the cost areas and give you all the details on what to expect as you begin your search for the perfect gown.

Designer

Every designer has a price range for the majority of their dresses. At TWD we specialize in quality, high-end designer dresses that meet a range of price points. Here’s what to expect from our designer collection:

• Allure Romance $1,300–$1,800 
  • Soft, romantic designs at the lower end of Allure’s pricing
• Adore by Justin Alexander $1,200–$1,800 
  • Contemporary budget-friendly line
• LillianWest $1,500–$2,400 
  • Boho-chic designs by Justin Alexander at a wide variety of price points
• Allure Bridal $1,400–$2,400 
  • Modern silhouettes & trending gowns at a mid-range price point
• Abella $1,500–$2,300 
  • European-inspired capsule collection by Allure
• Essence of Australia/Stella York $1,200–$3,000
  •  Trendy, embellished designs
• Lis Simon $1,500–$3,000 
  • Premium contemporary designer with completely customizable gowns

As you think about your style, wedding aesthetic, and budget, it’s a great idea to explore gowns by a few designers to get an idea of what you like at your preferred price point. A great place to start is browsing TWD’s Lookbook.

Customization

When you place your dress order, all the details are sent to the manufacturer to create your specific gown. Every designer has different options for customization, but every change you request from a standard pattern can increase costs. 

For some designers, such as Lis Simon, customization is an expected part of the dress order process, and the higher introductory price point reflects these expected couture features. For other designers, such as Essence of Australia, prices can rise rapidly with any additions or changes made to a standard design.

Whatever your price point, make sure you plan in all the costs associated with customization and alteration that you will need to ensure your ideal dress is the perfect fit for your big day. 

Tariffs

Our designers have been paying varying levels of tariff costs to create dresses since 2017. However, the recent tariff increases have pushed these costs up by 150%. Even though some countries that supply the garment industry, such as Myanmar and Vietnam, have had increases paused for the moment, tariffs for China (the country with the longest history of incredible fabric creations and the largest wedding dress supplier to the US) are still at the highest level. 

TWD Tariff Costs

In order to be fair to our designers and to our brides, TWD has implemented a policy of charging a flat $200 tariff fee on all new dress orders, except for Lis Simon dresses which have only a $150 tariff fee.

Just like everyone right now, we have no idea how long these high tariffs will last. We hope that the tariff amount will decrease over time, but we don’t have a working crystal ball to check the future (if we did, we’d totally help you pick the perfect date for your big day). But we want to be clear, if we don’t end up paying a tariff on your dress, we will refund your fee.

Sample Sales: A No Tariff Option

TWD Sample Sales have always been a good option to score a beautiful designer gown at a great price, and as an added bonus, there are no tariff fees on these dresses! BUT, before you go running for the sale rack, you need to understand what a sample sale is and what to expect.

• First, a “sample” is the dress that has been at the boutique for our fabulous brides-to-be to try on. Sample gowns that are for sale are only a fraction of the options available to you from TWD—there are more silhouettes, fabric types, styles and designer options through our full collection.
• Second, sample dresses have been tried on. This means that there is a little bit of wear and tear that happens during the trying-on process. We’re not going to put a gown up for sale that is in bad condition, but most of these dresses will need to be cleaned and have a few minor repairs made. Our TWD-ettes are happy to help you make these arrangements!
• Third, sample gowns are in a relatively narrow size range. At TWD we typically stock a bridal size 10 (which is about a standard size 6) to 16 (standard 12) and we typically stock plus sizes in 22-28 range. Sample dresses usually have a bodice designed for a bra cup size B/C (unless they are in our plus size collection where the cup size is larger), and the standard length of a gown is for someone standing between 5′ and 5’10”, taller or shorter brides will struggle with the proportions.  
• Fourth, bridal gowns can typically be tailored down 2-3 sizes, however they are much more difficult to go up in size. Although TWD does stock more inclusive sample sizes than many bridal boutiques, there is usually only one size of any gown you can purchase out of the sample sale. 
• Finally, gowns from our sample sale are an up-front purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis. We can’t hold them for you to think it over and come back.

If you are thinking about taking the leap to snap up one of our Sample Sale Gowns, make sure you bring your maid of honor or any other essential loved one whom you need to be in the room with you before you are ready to commit to your dress. Sample Sales are a love-at-first sight situation! You’ll need to be prepared to buy if you find THE gown and can’t stand the idea of walking away from it.

Visiting The White Dress

Whether you are interested in selecting a gown that is made-to-order or you want to purchase from our Sample Sale, the first step is to book an appointment at our boutique in Brighton. Our fantastic TWD-ette’s will help you through every step of the process. We want your bridal experience to be all about the joy of finding your ideal dress, instead of stressing about the details. We are happy to answer your questions and get you all the information you need to pick out THE gown, whether it ships across an ocean or comes off the Sample Sale rack.