Bride on a Budget: 15 Stunning Wedding Dresses Under $500

Lulus beaded off-the-shoulder wedding dress for under $500
wedding dress: Lulus

Saying “yes” to the dress is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning…but it can also be one of the priciest, too. We get it: wedding planning isn’t cheap (fresh floral arrangements? in this economy?!), and dropping thousands on a dress you’re only going to wear once doesn’t always add up. The good news? You can find the perfect wedding dress without breaking the bank!

So if you’re a bride on a budget, we’ve rounded up the 15 best wedding dresses under $500 for every style. Whether you’re looking for ways to cut costs for the wedding or just want more money to spend on accessories (aka, your dream wedding shoes!), these gowns have you covered. Ready to find the one?

1: This Simple Strapless Wedding Dress

satin strapless wedding dresses for under $500

Calling all minimalist brides! If you’re looking for a wedding dress that’s timeless, elegant, and affordable, this strapless beauty has you covered. I love the luxurious look of the satin fabric, especially combined with the classic fit-and-flare silhouette.

It’s giving quiet luxury vibes…without the luxury price tag!

Price: $229

Shop This Elegant Satin Gown

2: This Beaded Long Sleeve Wedding Dress

Anthropologie beaded v-neck wedding dresses with billowy sleeves

This is one of the best-reviewed wedding dresses from Anthropologie, and for under $500 it’s also one of the most budget-friendly! With a universally flattering silhouette, flowy chiffon fabric, and romantic beaded appliques, it looks WAY more expensive than it is.

But don’t just take our word for it — as this bride said, “This dress is perfection. Whimsical, beautiful, feminine, and well-made. After looking through many traditional wedding dresses I was thrilled to find this one-of-a-kind beauty. It’s even more beautiful in person than online!”

Price: $398

Shop This Beaded Chiffon Gown

3: This Elegant Basque Waist Wedding Dress

trendy basque waist wedding dresses for under $500

Basque waist wedding dresses are one of the top wedding trends for 2025 — just peep all the recent bridal runway shows!

To get the style without paying designer prices, look no further than this gorgeous gown from Lulus. It combines the elegant silhouette with a shimmery jacquard fabric for a gown that’s trendy and timeless at the same time.

And for under $150 (yes, you read that right!), it’s a total steal!

Price: $148

Shop This Jacquard Wedding Gown

4: This Boho Lacy Bell Sleeve Gown

lacy boho wedding dresses with fringe bell sleeves

Free-spirited, unique, laid-back, romantic…if I’m describing your bridal style right now, then this is your perfect wedding dress for under $500!

A bohemian dream come true, this gown combines intricate lacy fabric with rad ’70s inspired bell sleeves (which also feature the most gorgeous fringe trim!). Add a boho flower crown, and you’re pretty much golden.

Price: $470

Shop This Bohemian Bell Sleeve Gown

5: This Modern Drop-Waist Wedding Dress

strapless drop-waist wedding dresses with a trendy belt detail

For the modern brides and fashion-forward trendsetters, this wedding gown is SO cool. It gives the trendy drop-waist silhouette a chic upgrade with a sleek belt detail and modern strapless neckline. Perfect for a chic city ceremony, elegant elopement, or stylish rehearsal dinner look.

Price: $259

Shop This Modern Strapless Gown

6: This Romantic Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dress

romantic lacy off-the-shoulder wedding dresses with sheer sleeves

Hello, romance! Head-to-toe lace gives this wedding gown a dreamy romantic look that’ll never go out of style. And with over 600 (!!!) raving reviews, it’s definitely one of THE best wedding dresses for under $500.

Style it with shoulder-grazing earrings to bring attention to that elegant neckline, and prepare for major compliments!

Price: $148

Shop This Floral Lacy Gown

7: This Classy Long Sleeve Gown + Neck Scarf

plunging v-neck wedding dresses with balloon sleeves and a matching neck scarf

We’re calling it now: 2025 is the year of the neck scarf, and modern brides are taking note! Get the look on a budget with this fashion-forward gown from Anthropologie, which pairs the neck scarf trend with a sexy plunging neckline and romantic balloon sleeves. So chic!

P.S. If you love this look as much as I do, you can also buy a bridal neck scarf separately and add it to any wedding dress that’s under $500. Such a great affordable way to customize your look!

Price: $440

Shop This Flowy Chiffon Gown

8: This Structured Corset + Satin Skirt

strapless sweetheart corset styled with a seperate satin maxi skirt

Another bridal fashion trend I’m loving for 2025? Structured corset gowns. I found this affordable gem on Etsy, and for under $500 it gives you the cinched waist and sexy elegance of wedding dresses more than double the price. Obsessed!

Price: $372

Shop This Two-Part Corset Gown

9: This Pleated Corset Gown With Draped Sleeves

curvy woman wearing an off-the-shoulder pleated corset wedding dress that's under $500

For a corset gown that’s not quite as structured — but still just as flattering — I love this pleated wedding dress that’s also under $500. The criss-cross bodice and draped sleeves have a vintage vibe that would feel right at home in a storybook romance (or an episode of Bridgerton).

And with multiple sizes ranging from 0 to 26, this gown truly looks good on everyone!

Price: $239

Shop This Pleated Sweetheart Gown

10: This One-Shoulder Bow Wedding Dress

classy wedding dress with a high leg slit and a one-shoulder bow detail

Yes, I’m still in my bow era, and this budget-friendly dress is such a chic way to rock the look for your wedding! The one-shoulder neckline is modern and sophisticated, while the oversized bow adds a playful touch that’s SO stylish.

I’m also digging that ultra-high leg slit…perfect for showing off your statement wedding heels!

Price: $188

Shop This SOphisticated One-SHoulder Gown

11: This Vintage-Inspired Slip Dress

trendy v-neck silk gown with a tiered ruffle hemline

Speaking of bow details, this vintage-inspired gown is another gorgeous way to incorporate the trend into your 2025 look. Inspired by dresses from the 1920s, it captures all the romance of a bygone era, but with a modern twist that feels totally timeless.

I’m also loving all the romantic details that make this gown stand out, from the tiers of satin charmeuse ruffles to the delicate flutter cap sleeves. Stun-ning!

Price: $499

Shop This Satin Charmeuse Slip Dress

12: This Ethereal Fitted Tulle Wedding Dress

fitted v-neck wedding dresses with intricate tulle fabric

The intricate tulle fabric! The flattering fitted silhouette! The ethereal detachable sleeves! Everything about this wedding dress is the definition of dreamy, down to the built-in bra for extra comfort.

And like all AW Bridal gowns, this tulle beauty can be made-to-order to your specific measurements for no extra cost. A custom wedding dress for under $500? It doesn’t get better than that!

Price: $470

Shop This Dreamy Mermaid Gown

13: This Ruffle Embellished Wedding Dress

tulle off-the-shoulder sparkly wedding dresses for under $500

For a wedding dress that’ll make you feel like you stepped straight out of a fairytale, it doesn’t get better than this. From the ruffle tulle neckline to the embellished sequin bodice, it’s whimsical, romantic, and perfect for your happily ever after.

P.S. Needle & Thread (who designed this dreamy wedding dress) also have GORGEOUS bridal capes for under $500. For a budget-friendly option that gives you two looks in one, simply add one of their embellished capes over a simple silk dress. It’s a dramatic look that’s also super customizable!

Price: $415

Shop This Embellished Tulle Gown

simple long sheer white tulle pearl beaded wedding bridal cape

We’ve rounded up even more dreamy bridal capes to complete your wedding day look!

14: This Asymmetrical Silk Wedding Dress

modern long sleeve wedding dress with an asymmetrical off-the-shoulder neckline

This wedding dress is proof that sometimes the simplest gowns are the most stunning! Everything about this dress is a masterclass in modern elegance, from the figure-hugging silk fabric to the asymmetrical neckline.

And with such a simple wedding dress that’s under $500 (under $150, to be exact!), you have more budget to put toward your bridal accessories. Make this look your own with a statement veil, eye-catching earrings, or a bold pair of heels!

Price: $145

Shop This Sophisticated Long SLeeve Gown

15: This Beaded Backless Wedding Dress

Lulus beaded v-neck wedding dresses for under $500

Prepare to make the whole room ~shimmer~ with this beaded wedding gown! Hundreds of sequin embellishments and beaded details make this dress a total show-stopper, especially combined with that sultry plunging neckline.

And just wait until you see the open back — you’ll definitely want to rock a wedding updo with this one!

Price: $328

Shop This Embellished Long Sleeve Gown

More Bridal Inspo Here!

sleeveless v-neck wedding dresses with an open lacy back
wedding dress: LilyMarksBrand on Etsy

Looking for more wedding dresses under $500? Check out our list of affordable gowns for every price point!

We’ve also rounded up the best guides to complete your bridal look, from dreamy wedding heels to chic bridal gloves to the best wedding nail ideas.

And for the DIY beauty lover, don’t miss our guides to the best wedding hairstyles and bridal makeup ideas!

What’s next on your wedding planning checklist? Let us know in the comments below!

Author

  • Hannah McKennett is the Features Writer at Green Wedding Shoes, covering fashion, beauty, and wedding trends. A graduate of Emerson College, she brings professional writing experience from the Improper Bostonian magazine and international publication...

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