Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It is a culmination of a relationship, and publicly announces your love for your soon to be spouse.

One of the most critical components of any great wedding is the bride’s wedding dress. Whilst all eyes will be on the bride, and a beautiful dress is essential, many women are not comfortable paying exorbitant prices for a brand new designer wedding dress.

Many brides are opting to purchase second hand wedding dresses for their big day, and a second hand wedding dress definitely does not have to look “less than” or out dated in any way.

A few well chosen alterations can make a beautiful second hand wedding dress look absolutely stunning.

Shorten the Dress
Many traditional or older dresses are gowns that reach to the floor. To make these older style dresses much more modern you can cut them just above the knee to create a fresh sophisticated look. Many younger brides are foregoing the traditional wedding dresses and making them shorter. This alteration does not have to make the dress look more casual, and you can maintain a level of class and sophistication if you find a good seamstress to alter the dress.

Add a Splash of Color
One way to alter your wedding dress is to add splashes of color. For example, a splash of red or blue around the waist can really make your second hand wedding dress unique. Again, this style deviates from the traditional all white gown, but many brides are opting to be more individual than in years gone bye. You can also introduce color into other elements of the bridal outfit, such as in the selection of the brides shoes and jewelery.

Add a Waist Line
Another popular way to alter a wedding dress is to introduce a waistline just underneath the bust. This can accentuate a bride’s figure and make the dress appear much more modern. You might be able to do this by creating a belt made of fabric that is similar to the fabric in the dress.

There are many different and creative alterations you can make to second hand wedding dresses. You don’t have to spend a fortune to look good on your special day. Simply use your creativity and be bold. Don’t be afraid to be different because being different is memorable.