Cheap Wedding Dresses-Creative Ideas for the Bride on a Budget

Just because you don't have a dime to spare doesn't mean you've got to sacrifice that oh-so-important element of your wedding: the gown.

Why not stand out with a unique and creative dress?

Here are five creative and unique cheap wedding dresses to inspire you!

Less fabric = less $$$! It's a very simple concept, and the bride shown at right obviously gets it. If you're a bride who's comfortable with her body, why not show it off in a nice sheer number? A thin swath of glimmery fabric can be purchased by the yard at any area Wal-Mart for thousands less than many traditional wedding gowns!

Bridesmaid dresses breaking the bank? The very same material you're using for your dress comes in many lovely shades to compliment any color scheme! A roll of chartreuse or aqua and your girls will be a sight to behold!

Tip: If the ceremony is outdoors, apply plenty of sunscreen.

Handy with crocheting? Got some hot pads and/or doilies lying about? If so, you've got no excuse to cry over not having a nice dress. Gather them all together to fashion yourself a lovely and cozy number for your big day, such as the one shown at right.

Perfect for a winter wedding, this creation will make you feel warm and snuggly inside (and possibly slightly itchy). You can really customize the look here, too, depending on the colors and patterns you choose.

It's a sure bet that your dress will be the talk of the town for quite some time. Let 'em try and top this one!

Take a cue from this librarian gone wild and fashion yourself a gown from old paperbacks. You can get these things for a quarter at book sales and it only takes several dozen to make an average sized floor-length dress.

Use romance novels for a fun theme, or maybe pick a favorite author to stick with. Hardbacks are not advisable as they are rather cumbersome. The same goes for heavily philosophical books.

Keep in mind that if you'll be dancing, you may want to keep it extra light. Try novelettes and condensed versions if boogieing down is on the agenda. Outdoor weddings usually aren't ideal for the paperback bride, as a sudden downpour can really be a disaster.

Yes, ladies, the exquisite dress shown below is made entirely of high quality bum tissue. TP, even the fancy kind, is relatively cheap and easy to acquire.

You may want to recruit some girlfriends to help on this, as it can be a daunting project. Really, though, what's several hundred all night TP origami sessions in the name of achieving the perfect dress?

White, fluffy, 4-ply. You'll look like a soft and absorbent dream walking down the aisle in your hand-crafted ensemble. As with paperback bridal gowns, outdoor venues are not advisable.

You could forego the pageantry altogether, and just send out some nice cards with you and your betrothed superimposed onto the above headless couple.

You could write on the inside something like:

Roger and Mildred wish to share with you

the happiness they both feel in their new union~

The couple was married during a very small and private ceremony last week

and while they'd have really loved to have seen you there,

the event was of a very religious nature - and what with all the sacrificing and ritualistic dancing

they thought that perhaps you might rather just receive this lovely photo of them

on their blessed day

(The bride and groom are registered at 7-11)

You could, of course, tailor this to suit your own situation.

..that it's YOUR big day - so don't let a small budget get in your way. Most of all, as you plan and prepare, remember to laugh and be light - and don't lose sight of what really matters. ;)

All kidding aside, you really can find an inexpensive wedding dress that is beautiful and worthy of being worn on your big day. Even if it's not in your size, you can use some of the money you save to have it altered. (Make sure to find out if there are any design elements that prevent the dress from being tailored before you buy).