Are you a bride on a budget?
Whether you’re thrifty by nature or are working with a small budget, one fact remains: you’ll want to feel beautiful on your wedding day. And that’s where the right dress comes in.
We’ve scoured bridal sites and stores for the best sweet, sexy, sophisticated and sentimental styles that come in at $500 or less. From ball gowns and a-line dresses to mermaid silhouettes and tea-length styles, our list of 31 amazing wedding dresses has something for every type of bride.
31 Must-See Wedding Dresses Under $500 (In Every Style)
Whether you’re trying to keep wedding costs down to save money for a home or you simply don’t see the point in spending thousands of dollars on one dress, our list can help you find the right dress for your big day.
Best Princess-Style Dress: Tiffany Quince Gown
Size: 0-30 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
This stunning ball gown features spaghetti straps and off the shoulder cap sleeves as well as a lace-up back corset. The bodice is covered in silver beading, contrasting the soft, full skirt.
Best Summer Wedding Dress: Simply Dresses Off-the-Shoulder Gown
Size: 0-14 | Materials: Polyester and Tulle | Length: Floor-length
This lace gown features an illusion corset-style bodice with sweetheart neckline and draped off-the-shoulder sleeves. The long embroidered skirt has lace embellishments and a side slit for that perfect pretty-sexy balance.
Best Country Wedding Dress: Lulus Sweet Love Ivory Dress
Size: XXS-3X | Materials: Nylon | Length: Floor-length
This beaded lace maxi dress with nude knit liner combines sweet simplicity with elegance. The lovely floral lace dress comes with a v-neckline, and a darted bodice with slender shoulder straps and a shiny beaded waist.
Best Mermaid: Bridelily Gown
Size: 2-26 | Materials: Tulle, Lace, Satin | Length: Floor-length
With its wide v-neck and slender straps, this sleeveless dress receives some added drama thanks to the sheer lace midriff. Rhinestones and lace appliques add sparkle to the torso while dramatic ruffles flare out beginning at mid-thigh and fall gracefully to the ground.
Most Dramatic: Jasz Couture Corset Dress
Size: 000-22 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
With options in white/gold and white/nude, this flamboyant mermaid gown is sure to turn heads.
The corseted bodice and sweetheart neckline are adorned with lace applique and beading and features illusion material from just under the bust to the waist. The frilled tulle skirt flares out at thigh-level to the floor for extra drama.
Best Trumpet Dress: Ever Pretty Lace Gown
Size: 4-26 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
Simple yet sexy, this lovely lace dress boasts a deep v neckline to the waist with an illusion panel offering coverage and support. The figure-hugging skirt flares out gently at mid-thigh into soft floor-length folds.
Best Sheath: David’s Bridal Lace Dress
Size: 0-14 | Materials: Nylon, Polyester, Spandex | Length: Floor-length
This classic sleeveless lace sheath features flattering seaming and a deep v-neck front and back. Infused with stretch, this lovely lace gown will hug your curves for a classic hourglass silhouette. Also available here in sizes 16-26.
Best Empire Waist Dress: Abaowedding Sleeveless Gown
Size: 0-28 | Materials: Chiffon | Length: Floor-length
A short lace bodice and wide lace straps are the standout features on this simple empire gown. The peek-a-boo back and lace up waist are striking features as are the softly flowing skirt and chapel-length train.
Best Slip Dress: ShowPo Love Struck
Size: 0-16 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor-length
Every minimalist bride will love the simple lines of this ivory bias cut slip dress with its adjustable spaghetti straps, low v-neck and open back. Framed with panelled seams, the gown features a thigh-high slit and a floor skimming train for a look of sexy elegance.
Best Ankle Length Dress: CoCo Melody Lace Gown
Size: 0-28 (plus custom sizing) | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Ankle-length
This vintage-inspired lace gown features a sweetheart neckline with a high lace illusion feature that opens to a peek-a-boo back. A wide ribbon waistline and filmy skirt complete the look.
Best Tea-Length Dress: Unique Vintage Riviera Dress
Size: XS-XL | Materials: Tulle | Length: Mid-calf
If you like 1950s glam, you’ll love this tea-length dress with its lacy sweetheart bodice embellished with crystals and sequins. An illusion neckline secures at the back with an adorable keyhole cutout and the lacy a-line skirt flows from the neat waist into a scalloped hemline.
Best Ball Gown: Azazie Antoinette Gown
Size: 0-30 (plus custom sizing) | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
This gorgeous gown, which can be worn with or without straps, offers a hand-pleated tulle sweetheart bodice that flows into a drop waist for a figure-flattering look. Hand sewn lace and sequins cascade the length of the dress all the way down to the chapel train.
Best A-Line: JJ’s House Princess Gown
Size: 2-26 | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Floor-length
A low-cut, beaded bodice and sheer, embellished straps will have all eyes on any bride who walks down the aisle in this beautiful lace and tulle gown. The back view is just as gorgeous thanks to the lace-up bodice and embellished court-length train.
Best Short Dress: DB Studio Halter Dress
Size: 2-16 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Above-the-knee
This above-the-knee lace dress with halter neckline is just the right mix of sweet and sophisticated. With a scalloped keyhole opening at the bust and a beaded neck band, this dress has just the right amount of bling. Curvier ladies can order the same dress here in sizes 16-24.
Best Strapless Dress: LaLa Mira Gown
Size: 2-26 | Materials: Organza | Length: Floor-length
With its beaded bodice, sweetheart strapless neckline and lace-up back, this charming ball gown puts all of the focus on the bride’s upper body, showcasing arms, shoulders, neck and décolletage. The cascading ruffled skirt flows into a lovely chapel train for a dramatic walk down the aisle.
Best Spaghetti Strap Dress: JVN By Jovani Dress
Size: 00-24 | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Floor-length
This romantic a-line gown has a low v-neck lace bodice with delicate spaghetti straps and a sheer low-cut back. The full tulle skirt has buttons down the length of the dress to the end of the chapel train.
Best Halter Dress: Nox Anabel Gown
Size: XS-2XL | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
A fitted bodice of this gorgeous gown gives way to an elegant halter neckline with deep front v and a low back. An embellished belt at the waist flows into ruffle detailing down the full length of the a-line skirt.
Best Long-Sleeved Dress: Bridelily Backless Gown
Size: 0-26 | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Floor-length
A wide, deep v-neckline is a delightful contrast to the stark satiny fabric and long sleeves of this beautiful full-skirted gown and puts the focus on the bride’s neck, collar bones and décolletage. Illusion fabric covers the lowest part of the neckline for some additional coverage, but the back is left open almost to the waist where the dress flows out into a beautifully embellished skirt and train.
Best Off-the-Shoulder: Elizabeth K Gown
Size: XS-5XL | Materials: Satin | Length: Floor-length
The embodiment of sweet simplicity, this off-the-shoulder gown comes with a sweetheart neckline that leaves the shoulders bare front and back. Ruching brings visual interest to the bodice and the skirt flows gently out from the natural waist for an elegant silhouette.
Best Back View: TBDress Backless Boho
Size: 2-22 | Materials: Lace | Length: Floor-length
Lovely for any outdoor ceremony, this lace trumpet dress boasts long sleeves, a deep v-neckline and slim fit that flares gently from the knee. The low back and sweeping train ensure a memorable walk down the aisle.
Best Train: WoWoWo Bridal Mermaid Dress
Size: 2-20 (plus custom sizing) | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Floor-length
This stunning lace gown features a wide boat neck, long sheer sleeves and a sexy illusion back that gives the impression of bare skin except for the row of covered buttons that runs neck to hips. The slim dress flares slightly at mid-thigh and flows into an eye-catching chapel train.
Best Lace: Azazie Indie BG
Size: 0-30 (plus custom sizing) | Materials: Lace and Tulle | Length: Floor-length
It’s all about the lace with this lovely long-sleeved gown. Its sheer lace top (with nude bra cups) combined with a deep v-neckline make just as much of a statement as the simple closed back with covered buttons and chapel train.
Best for Black-Tie Wedding: Tiffany High Neckline Dress
Size: 0-30 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
Nothing says black tie quite like this pearl-embellished ball gown. The high-necked, pearl encrusted bodice gives way to slender straps at the back and elegant lacing for a custom fit. The full skirt features scattered beading for extra sparkle.
Best Semi-Formal Wedding: Alyce Paris Dress
Size: 000-22 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
Covered in opal colored sequins, this fit and flare dress features a v-neckline with thick beaded straps that wrap over the back to form a sheer illusion criss-cross pattern. The waistline is embellished with silver sequin beading and the skirt flares out into a subtle mermaid style.
Best Casual Wedding: Fame and Partners Chelsey Dress
Size: 0-16 | Materials: Nylon, Cotton | Length: Floor-length
Available in ivory and blush, this intricate lace maxi dress has a low-cut neckline and a deep v-back, making it perfect for warm-weather nuptials. Flutter sleeves and a thigh-high slit in the front make this dress both soft and sexy.
Best Winter Wedding Dress: ASOS Edition Emilia Gown
Size: 0-14 | Materials: Tulle | Length: Floor-length
This classic pearl embellished gown has sheer sleeves and an illusion neckline above a sweetheart shaped bodice. With its open back and long flowy skirt, the gown was made for winter nuptials. Curvy brides might like this dress which comes in sizes 12-24.
Best Classic Dress: JJ’s House Princess Gown
Size: 0-26 | Materials: Tulle and Lace | Length: Floor-length
This timeless full-skirted gown’s fitted lace bodice, sheer sleeves and high neck open in the back to reveal a glimpse of skin while the lace-up feature defines the waist and flows down the length of the dress. With its full skirt and chapel train, this dress is the perfect choice for any elegant affair.
Best Modern Dress: Mac Duggal Off-the-Shoulder Gown
Size: 0-16 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor-length
Both modern and elegant, this dress skims the body and includes a thigh-high slit for a bit of sex appeal. The long sleeves of this off-the-shoulder gown are accented with jeweled cuffs for just the right amount of sparkle.
Best Boho Dress: BHLDN Belize Dress
Size: 0-18 | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor-length
This oyster-colored dress may be simple in cut but the elegant embroidery and subtle beading make this empire waist dress special. With a plunging neckline and gossamer sleeves, it’s perfect for a casual or beach wedding.
Best Vintage-Style Dress: WoWoWo Bridal Lace Gown
Size: 2-20 (plus custom sizing) | Materials: Lace and Tulle | Length: Floor-length
This gorgeous a-line gown made from vintage flower-embroidered lace features three-quarter sleeves and a deep v-neck with added illusion for support and coverage. The dress dips low in the back and laces from the mid back down to the hips before flowing out into a full skirt and sweep train.
Best Whimsical Dress: Ivy City Gown
Size: XXS-3X | Materials: Polyester | Length: Floor-length
This fully-lined dreamy dress is the perfect choice for any bride looking to add a touch of whimsy to her nuptials. With its layered tulle skirt, ruffled bodice and sheer flutter sleeves, you’ll look like you’re floating on a cloud as you walk down the aisle.
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