The cost advantage of making my own gown was one of several reasons I did this, so out of curiosity and to be responsible with spending on the wedding overall, I kept my receipts and tracked the cost. These prices include sales and coupons I used (typically 40-50% off at Jo-Ann).
Gown materials = $134.32
$39.96 taffeta for outer layer (4 yds)
$19.96 dotted silk for waistband (4 yds)
$1.99 ribbon (for straps, which I decided not to use
$3.29 thread
$19.96 organza for skirt under-layers (4 yds)
$24.95 lining material (5 yds)
$8.98 boning
$11.94 muslin
$3.29 zipper
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$134.32
Veil materials = $8.65
$2.08 seed beads (2 boxes)
$2.57 monofilament transparent thread
$4 tulle (4 yds)
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$8.65
Sewing supplies I'll be able to use again = $53.36
$3.49 corner turner
$2.49 tracing wheel
$2.57 tracing paper
$3.29 glass head silk pins
$5.99 pressing cloth for ironing
$4.29 fine needles
$5.99 clear wide ruler
$19.99 replacement bobbin case (damaged in previous project and was causing birds nests)
$2.27 more needles
$2.99 muslin to cover sewing table (for cleanliness and to avoid rough edges)
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$53.36
Total cost = $196.33 (give or take 100 hours of work)
The verdict: sewing my own gown was way cheaper than buying, even a used gown at a discount couldn't have competed. The best prices I saw on gowns I was interested in were at least $300-400 at the very lowest, and they weren't really what I was looking for. Besides that, I would have had to have it tailored (deconstructing a gown myself to tailor it would have been as much work as making one and less fun) and I probably would have added pockets myself, adding more cost and work. Under $200 for just the gown I wanted was definitely the way to go.
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