Wear your mom's dress or borrow a friend's gown. You'd be surprised how inexpensively a seamstress can restore a vintage gown. Even if you spend $100 to $200 to have the gown altered or jazzed up, this will be much less than buying a gown at retail. Borrowing a gown from a friend is another great money-saving option. Total savings: $800 or even more!

Order a bridesmaid's or less formal gown. Most brides don't realize that many bridesmaid's gowns can be ordered in white. For a less formal wedding, you can get a plain bridesmaid's gown for just $75 to $150. Beautiful, less-formal gowns (without trains, sequins, pearls, etc.) are available from ready-to-wear clothing designers like Jessica McClintock. Her stunning line of bridal dresses start at just $200 (ranging upward to $800).

Shop at bridal outlet stores. A reader in Berkeley, California, shared with us a great bargain shopping tip: vintage clothing stores. She found a beautiful 1950s wedding gown in excellent condition for just $200 at a local vintage clothing store. Most large cities have such stores; check your local phone book under ''Clothes -- Vintage.''