[Andrea‏]

Hi everyone!
I’ll be attending a formal wedding this November and I’m trying to find an elegant but affordable dress for myself. I’m also looking for suitable and budget-friendly outfits for my husband and our kids.

I want us all to look polished and appropriate for the event, but without spending too much.

If anyone has suggestions for good places (online or in-store) to shop for formalwear that’s stylish yet reasonably priced, I’d really appreciate it. Bonus points for stores with family-friendly selections or sales around fall!

Also open to any general tips for dressing a family for a formal wedding without breaking the bank.

Thanks in advance!

[Leah]

A few years ago I was going to a wedding walked into goodwill found a gorgeous new with tags dress on clearance for .99

[Debbie]

The nicer consignment store may have formal wear that us inexpensive.

[Sharon]

I would start at thrift stores. And you’ll have to go to more than one, but you’re smart to start ahead of time.

And be open to a color you don’t usually wear or a neckline that’s different than you usually wear.. See if you can go to thrift stores near affluent neighborhoods.

If that doesn’t net you enough, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls often have beautiful clothes for surprisingly low prices.

At times there will be a fancy-schmancy dress or a pair of shoes, etc. mixed in with the regular clothing.

if you have little girls, remind yourself, how dressed up they are with a beautiful wide ribbon in their hair.

Maybe you practice tying a beautiful bow ahead of time.

Have fun. I’m happy to read that you’re not treating this as a major pain in the kazoo.

[Debbie]

We attended a black tie wedding last year. I got my husband a Stafford classic wool blend tux for 175.00 at JCPenney after sale and promo codes.

They are sold as separates, so you could save about $30 more if you don’t get the vest.

It seems to be the current style to skip the vest. Ordered a tux shirt & bow tie set on Amazon for under $30. That’s less than it costs to rent a tux.

Of course, I checked thrift shops several times before ordering.
The only tux I saw was worn out, double breasted, probably from the early 1980’s, and wasn’t his size.

When I mentioned I needed to find a formal dress, my cousin offered to loan me a beautiful black dress she had worn to a gala.

[Dennise]

Formal as in long dress? We have Dillards here, we’ve purchased most of our formal dresses there over the years, range $60-$100.

I just bought a mother of the bride dress at Von Maur for under $200, included free alterations.

Mens Wearhouse often has great sales and deals on men’s suits and also rents tuxedos.

If the wedding isn’t quite that fancy my daughter has purchased some nice midi slip dresses at stores like H&M. I used to get kid clothes at Pennys.

Thrift stores have nice clothes sometimes you have time to look.

I often see prom/home coming and mother of the bride dress on Facebook marketplace for about $50.

I actually need to sell an unused one myself.

[Christal]

Also ask some friends! Many people have a one time used clothing from a formal event. I’ve also had great luck in ckearence sections of TJ Maxx/Marshall’s..

Good luck!

[Ruth]

I went to a quinceañera recently where the grandmother of the birthday girl rented her dress.

It was lovely.

[April]

Thrift shops, prom dresses should be marked down this time of year at department stores.

Look at Azazie website final clearance, sometimes they are as low as $30

[Pam]

I think Burlington coat factory (or just. Burlington) seems to have dress up clothes at affordable prices

[Deezy]

The American Cancer Society’s thrift shop in my town has high end clothing in great condition, thus may be the sweet spot demographically in their business plan.

Go I’ve em a try, if you have one near you. You still have some time

[Emily]

Definitely recommending thrift or online used dresses. So many once-worn floor length bridesmaid dresses out there.

I’ve used Pre-owned Wedding then tailored the dress myself.

Kids fancy clothes are really popular on our Buy Nothing Facebook group.

[Marian]

We have 5 Goodwill stores in my vicinity. 3 of them have nice dress clothes.

Also check other thrift stores, like Habitat.

[Author]

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