Do You Have to Say Yes to the Dress?

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers

In a culture in which even bridesmaids are going into debt for friends’ weddings and there are whole Reddit threads devoted to avoiding the “wedding tax” — the higher costs some vendors charge for goods and services they know will be used for a wedding — it’s clear that the simple act of getting married is no longer so simple. Do we truly have no choice but to spend extra thousands of dollars, especially on a wedding dress?

But who says your wedding dress needs to be a wedding dress?

To be clear, there are some very valid reasons that wedding dresses cost so much — they’re often made with a lot more fabrics as well as a much higher level of craftsmanship. And for many brides, an elaborate wedding dress is a chance to feel like a princess. If and when that time comes for me, you won’t find me at David’s Bridal. Instead, I’ll be looking into options like the dresses and sets below — investment pieces that can be tailored for a perfect fit and worn again and again and, while not the most affordable, come nowhere near the cost of a typical wedding dress.

Who needs a tiered cake? Have a tiered dress.

Knit Maxi Dress

This slinky showstopper is comfortable, flattering, and stylish.

$301 at Sandro

Embody a doily without spending thousands

White Cotton Eyelet Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

The cotton eyelet lace will keep you comfortable even through a long ceremony, and the puffy sleeves offer a bit of the princess energy you might be looking for.

$345 at Farm Rio

For the chillest of chill brides

’90s Slip Dress

This super-simple dress is also super comfortable, perfect for dancing all night at the reception and ripe for accessorizing. Its unique stitching gives it a little extra oomph.

Make your imminent dive into the ocean stress-free

Stretch Jersey Bikini

Having a beach wedding? Instead of ruining an insanely expensive dress when you inevitably run into the ocean with your beloved, wear an extremely fancy swimsuit that you’ll treasure forever under a relatively inexpensive dress.

$720 at Gucci

Cow milking at 8 a.m., wedding at 2 p.m.

Camilla Dress

All you cottagecore milkmaids, this frilly number with a powerful asymmetric skirt is for you.

A set you can dance in

Why wear a dress when you can wear a matching two-piece set? This asymmetrical top bares just the right amount of skin, and the skirt’s layered construction swishes delightfully across a dance floor.

Kimchi Top

Edamame Skirt

A breezy dress for a breezy bride

Yoko Halter Maxi Dress

This elegant maxi dress will keep you comfortable all night.

$310 at Leset

For the artistic bride

Nasser Midi bicolor Dress

This dress is unique and beautiful, perfect for the artsy bride who sells hand-sculpted pottery on the side.

For the maximalist bride

All Hearts Multi Tier Dress

We’re already being nontraditional, why not throw in some color?

This dress will make your wedding feel like a Studio Ghibli film

Opa Dress

A wedding dress you can wear mary janes with is a slay in my book.

$495 at Sandy Liang

This artisan-crafted dress will make you feel like art

Nol Collective Aisha Maxi Dress

Featuring beautiful Palestinian tatreez embroidery and a universally flattering maxi cut that could easily be tailored to your best fit, this dress belongs on an altar.

For the bride who likes to keep it light