You read that right—I bought my perfect wedding dress on AliExpress in 2019 for under $200, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If I had to do it all over again, I’d choose the same dress. It was an absolutely stunning find. I’ll also share some wedding hacks I used to save on costs, so keep reading for all the details.
Wedding On A Budget
I envisioned a small, intimate wedding with a fun, prom-like vibe. We had a budget of $5,000 to $8,000 and managed to stay within that range. Although a courthouse wedding was an option, we decided against it because we wanted to include our large families—my husband has five siblings, and I have six. It was important to us to have them be a part of our special day.
I’m not judging those who spend more, but exceeding our wedding budget just didn’t feel right to me. My husband and I had numerous goals and plans for after the wedding, all of which would affect our finances. Acquiring debt simply to meet others’ expectations was not something we were willing to risk. So, we set a budget that we could comfortably afford.
Another thing that helped us a lot was asking for monetary gifts instead of using a traditional wedding gift registry. This gave us the flexibility to use the money where we needed it most.
Wedding Dress On AliExpress
My search for wedding decor on AliExpress led me to YQLNNE COUTURE. While browsing their collection, I found a dress that perfectly matched and even exceeded my vision. Although there were only a few reviews, the positive feedback on their Instagram convinced me to give them a try.
I decided to buy the dress online a year before the wedding, knowing it would arrive in three weeks. My plan was to return it for a full refund if it didn’t work out, giving me plenty of time to find another one in a store if needed.
Although I was confident after reading reviews and talking to the seller, I still wondered if the dress would fit well and look right on me. This was an important factor in my decision.
I’m very happy with this dress. It’s a strappy dress with a small V-cut neckline, a body-con fit that flares out elegantly at the hem, and a deep V-back with a built-in bra for support. The intricate design flow beautifully from top to bottom. It looks exactly like the picture and is even better in quality than many bridal shop dresses. There are no loose threads, and the details are perfect. It’s amazing that it was shipped from overseas and cost under $200. The only issue was a slight chemical smell, but a professional cleaning resolved that, and the dress held up wonderfully.
YQLNNE COUTURE offers more than just wedding dresses on AliExpress. They also have a great selection of bridesmaids dresses, prom dresses, and party dresses. Check out their collection here.
Saving Money on Our Wedding: What Worked for Us
We cut wedding invitation costs by creating a free website on Wix.com and directing guests to the digital invitations. For older guests who preferred traditional cards, we sent those separately. This approach saved money and streamlined the invitation process.
Creating electronic wedding invitations on Canva is also a fantastic idea, especially since they offer a wide range of wedding templates for inspiration, many of which you can create for free.
Another way we saved money was by choosing a hotel for our wedding. We went with a package deal that covered both the ceremony and reception at the same location, which meant we didn’t need a limousine or fancy car.
The hotel’s ceremony area was already beautifully decorated with greenery, so we only added a floral wedding arch and didn’t need extra decor. The hotel also provided the food and drinks.
Plus, my bridesmaids, groomsmen, my husband, and I stayed at the hotel the night before, which was included in the package. This kept us on schedule and ensured everything went smoothly.
For the reception hall, we kept the decor very simple. We used artificial flowers from Etsy and DIY floral centerpieces for each table, inspired by Pinterest. This approach helped us save money on flowers for the wedding.
Since the theme was prom-inspired, all my bridesmaids wore corsages from AliExpress, which were a more cost-effective choice than traditional bouquets. To enhance their look, we made them semi-DIY by adding extra flowers for a fuller effect, resulting in a beautiful arrangement very similar to the picture below.
We offered unlimited wine and an open bar at the reception, but guests paid for their own drinks at the bar.
Lastly, we cut expenses by keeping our guest list small and intimate, with just 60 attendees.
I hope some of the things mentioned in this post inspire you. On my blog, CuteTrendFinds.com, I talk about finds that help you save and make money. Check out my other posts here, and if you’re interested, sign up for my newsletter to keep in touch.