The Kickass Bride's Guide to Budget Weddings: The Wedding Dress

Although debatable, the focal point of a wedding is the bride and her wedding dress, ranging from simple and sweet to the über fabulous. If you're a bride on a budget, though, getting the perfect wedding dress can be a hassle - but not impossible. According to Susan Sardone of About.com, the average amount spent on a wedding dress is $800, and those averages appear to be rising. So how do you buy the dress of your dreams without going into debt? Simple - shop like a Kickass Bride.

The Five Simple Dress Solutions, The Kickass Way

To get the best deal on your perfect wedding gown, you will need to use alternative ways to shop for your gown (sorry ladies, David's Bridal is out for many, many reasons). Although it may be more unconventional than doing it the traditional way, it will save you hundreds and a lot of headache, which is what Kickass Brides aim to achieve - the satisfaction that you've done something unique without spending needless amounts of money. Here are five simple tips that will save you money without sacrificing quality:

1. Avoid bridal shops.
Bridal shops always tend to be expensive, sometimes with pushy salespeople who make their money on commission. David's Bridal, a very well-known bridal shop chain, is a great example of this, with numerous complaints on sites such as Ripoffreport.com and Complaints.com. Avoid bridal shops if you can, and if you can't, be wary of the salespeople - they may not always want what's best for you.

2. Go for a different style.
You don't have to buy an actual wedding dress, as there are many non-wedding dresses that could fit the bill. For example, buying a bridesmaid's dress in white or off-white can save you hundreds of dollars, as reported by About.com's wedding expert, Nina Callaway. There are many dresses intended for a bridesmaid that could be easily passed off for a fancy wedding gown (just don't let anyone know!). Also, look for discontinued styles, as they are usually cheap. If you truly want to be unique, look for a dress that isn't white - ivory is a good pick, and some even dare to go with deep red. You aren't certainly required to wear white.