Just imagine being able to wear a designer wedding gown for your wedding but without the high cost. As we look at celebrities, we see tens of thousands of dollars being spent on one-of-a-kind gowns but for most brides, this kind of price tag is too steep. Here are a few tips on how you can find those beautiful and chic designer wedding dresses at affordable prices.

Time - One of the most important things you can do is to allow yourself enough time to find the right dress. Waiting until you get close to the wedding date will not help. Instead, begin your search anywhere from six months to a full year before the scheduled wedding. This way, you can look at a number of possibilities, which include both local and overseas companies.

Online - Remember, the more places you conduct a search for the perfect wedding gown, the greater your chance of being successful. For instance, be sure you check out online auctions such as eBay. Many times, other brides who wore a designer gown will sell the dress at a huge discount. In addition, search the internet for designer wedding gowns. You will find businesses that sell designer wedding dresses such as Vera Wang, but at reduced prices.

If you purchase your wedding gown online, you obviously eliminate the chance to try the gown on, meaning the fit could be off. However, if you find a dress you love and at a price within your budget, remember you can always have the gown altered. For instance, let us say you typically wear a size 12 and after shopping online, you found a gorgeous designer wedding gown in a size 14. This particular gown will probably cost several hundred dollars less than the gown you liked at the bridal shop. The money saved could easily be used toward having the gown taken in!

To make your search a little easier, here are a few places you should check out:

Bride Couture (www.bridecouture.com) - This company offers a wide range of designer wedding gowns at a reduced cost between 50% and 75%.

Bride Power (www.bridepower.com) - On this website, you will find just about any style and size wedding gown. Focusing on high-end and designer wedding fashions but reduced by as much as 75% off retail price, this resource is excellent.

Bridal Gown (www.bridalgown.net) - Whether looking for a wedding gown, bridal party gowns, or even flower girl dresses, you will find many wonderful designer dresses, again at a huge discounted price.

Bridal Online Store (www.bridalonlinestore.com) - With more than 4,000 in-stock gowns, you have a choice of new and never tried on dresses, hand-beaded gowns, and up to 80% off retail price for both designer and other styles.

Local Stores - You should also look at consignment and outlet stores. Many times, these stores also carry a number of designer gowns, which normally have been worn once, if at all! By having the gown cleaned, you can still enjoy designer quality and style but without the designer price. The same is true for checking clearance sales. Again, it is common for bridal shops carrying designer gowns to have overstock or year-end sales, giving you an exceptional bargain.

In summary, there are many ways to to find a designer wedding dress at a price you can afford. The most important element is time. If you have the time and follow our tips, you can find that perfect designer wedding gown!