Why are wedding dresses so expensive?

[its-wendy]

[madhatters4]

because the demand is there. it's the same reason diamonds are so expensive. we've got a culture which places a heavy significance on marriage thus businesses know that people are willing to pay a lot for a wedding because their is effectively a cultural expectation that people will get married and have relatively lavish weddings.

it's the same thing around venues. if you go to a place and ask the rate to rent a venue for a party it might be like $300. but if you say or they find out it's for a wedding the cost to rent a venue literally jumps exponentially.

it's pretty messed up

[richardcory]

Its basically a scam. Other wedding things are incredibly expensive as well. Years ago when friends of ours got married when the rented things like chairs and tables for the event, they said it was a "party" and saved a huge amount compared to when they had said it was a "wedding".

My thought: Keep the wedding simple and cheap. My bride didn't wear a wedding gown, she wore a nice dress. We had takeout food in a park. No carved-ice swans, no giant piles of flowers. Spent almost nothing - and people had a really nice time. Then we spent the money we might have spent on the wedding on a nice honeymoon and on things we really needed to get our lives going.

We've been married for >35 years now so it seems to have worked.

[_Maya_]

Because they have them and you need one. That is the basic concept. It is something most girls want. Sure there are some that go a non-traditional route for what they wear but that is a bit of a minority. So essentially you are stuck. Nice ones are really well made and can be intricate. There is a lot of work that goes into them. I know this because I have a friend that worked at a bridal shop. There is also all the services that go with it. The fittings, the drinks you might get during the final fitting, the alterations and all that good stuff. A lot of that is "free" when really it is built into the price.

[Date_a_Snob]

youve explained it perfectly

[DubiousIntentions]

They aren't unless you have to have the very best one that others don't. You can surely find one within your price range. The thing is, people blow a lot of money on weddings, more than they can really afford. Then they start out their life in debt. That causes financial problems and before you know it, they are getting divorced. The bride sells her dress cheap, just to get rid of the bad memories. And there you have it, how to buy a nice wedding dress cheap.

[236color]

Same reason gas is so expensive, because they can. The difference is, frequently with gas, you don't have a choice. With wedding dresses you DO have a choice. You can get a used dress, make your own if you have the skills, wear something nontraditional, have a naked wedding, anything EXCEPT go to a "bridal store" and pay a ridiculous price for a dress that you'll wear once. When you think about it wedding dresses are a huge scam.

[Alli39]

Because the wedding industry is jacked. (But also because that's a ton of fabric, beading, tailoring, etc. So one some level they're bound to be more expensive the most clothes, but if your dress costs as much as your car... that's too much for me.)

[Sour-rose]

Because it's a wedding... so pay tf up. They make it special af to make it feel expensive. And that's how it's been since they started this. Make it, i mean, SUUUPER special so it can feel like a big day with wedding planners, white dresses, perms, all of that shi for a lotta $$$$$.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think they’re that expensive unless you choose to pick an expensive one. I think women prefer the prettier, cuter one so retailers know this so they’re going to charge a higher price. It’s like when women complain why does a man’s bicycle helmet cost cheaper than a man’s. Because most men don’t care what helmet they wear so they grab the cheapest ones. Women tend to want something girly w flowers, hearts, designs, etc, so yes it’s going to cost more.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Because people pay the price, especially when its called "wedding... something", people will happily pay twice or thrice the price of the usual value.

[FreyaRed]

Just order a white cocktail suit, white hat and heels. Buy some accessories and you have it under 500 bucks. If you have the body less material looks always better.

[Smashingdoozy]

They have a lot of fabric, typically made by hand by people who are actually paid for their work, they take a long time to make, many are designer. Plus supply and demand.

[Screenwriter]

Because the marketplace realizes MOST women only go whole hog for a first-wedding fancy dress. So, prices are high for these one-time outfits.

[molonski2]

Basically because they can be , these people simply abuse margin , bring one in via Ali Express

[Yannishka]

Because they abuse the fact that it's a big moment, a one time thing and tradition has you get one.

[DarkLegacy]

The same reasons, that cards and flowers become expensive around the time of Valentines, Mothers Day and Fathers day, the companies are taking advantage of the situation to rip people off.

[electromagnetic]

Because the market has been created that way. Supply and demand.

[Anonymous]

they don't have to be. they're capitalizing on a "special occasion" so people can show off on instagram and facebook. that's literally all there is to it.

[jeffend888]

Because everything is expensive now. Everyone got rich during the economic party of 2021 and that money still hasn't run out, if it ever does. Thus, inflation perpetually remains.

[LiamJHayden]

They tend to require a lot of custom tailoring, and yes, there is some sort of "wedding premium" built into prices, at least around here.

[exitseven]

Anything with the word wedding attached to it is at least twice what it is worth.

[WhitneySnow]

Because it’s a once in a lifetime event (hopefully)

[andreasderjuengere]

Consumerism, greed Capitalism and Disney movies?

[Anonymous]

Because everything in this world is priced based on what someone will pay for it rather than what it costs to produce it.

[HeartFullOfGlue]

Supply and demand, plus it takes work to make a good quality dress

[Jltakk]

Weddings in general are extremely expensive. I guess as long as people keep paying that kind of money.

[TheMan35]

Meaninglessly expensive. Try to borrow from someone you know if she has it.

[In_Trance]

Because people are willing to pay for them

[BarryLiverstone]

Did know you got charged to wear one?

[jahaims]

Because they know they can scam you.

[BigDog1989]

Because theyre silk. Sillk is expensive, lace too

[KrakenAttackin]

Who the hell gets married these days?

[Jmmmfi4]

Because people keep paying those prices

[Anonymous]

Wedding premium