Scouting Your Dream Wedding Dress in Divisoria
Ever thought of getting a wedding dress in Divisoria?
Divisoria’s vibrant shopping district has always delivered cheap goods to the masses. Its winding streets and crisscrossed stalls can make a newbie panic but don’t worry — we’re here to help!
Where DO we get wedding dresses in Divisoria?
Divisoria offers tons of options for Ready-to-wear or RTW Gowns. Here are the two most frequented places:
168 Mall
📍 918 Soler Street, Binondo, Manila
The mall has diverse offerings contained in its three levels. Which includes affordable ready-to-wear gowns and dresses.
On the mall’s lower ground floor, rows and rows of stalls carrying beautiful gowns fit for royalty can be found. Wedding dresses here range from 5,000 pesos and increase in price as the designs get more intricate with the highest going up to 22,000 pesos.
You can also get dresses for other members of your wedding party here. Dresses for special occasions and suits for children are also available.
A bit of a warning though: the mall is notorious for having a convoluted floor plan so take note of the stall of the dress you have your eyes on if you plan on coming back for it.
D8 or Dragon 8 Mall
📍 747 Recto Avenue, Tondo, Manila
This six-story mall is another bride-on-a-budget’s heaven. Elegant yet cheap dresses take up the whole mall’s second floor. Their wedding dresses also start from 5,000 pesos and increase as the design gets more complex.
Dresses and suits for abays, ninangs, and grooms can be bought here as well.
Other places to go
Aside from the malls, some stalls along the streets also offer cheap dresses. Ylaya Street is the textile heart of the district. Some bridal shops prefer to be closer to their source.
Tabora Street and Sto. Cristo Street also contains some bridal shops and sewing and textile needs. Not only that, they also have wholesalers of party and wedding needs.
Yangco Market is also a go-to place when talking about budget-friendly wedding dresses. It’s near Ylaya and Tabora streets so why not peek at the designs they have while you’re in the area?
What’s exciting about buying a Ready-to-Wear dress is that you can already see how the dress looks on you. Stalls in Divisoria even have their in–house seamstress so they can alter your dress while you wait.
Some stores offer a package deal for the bride. Along with a gorgeous dress, they also include a package deal when they sell wedding dresses. Other things like the veil, arrhae, the cord, etc., – all things essential for a Filipino bride.
But what makes a dress expensive?
- Type of fabric – The choice of fabric significantly influences the price, with synthetic materials like Polyester or Nylon generally being more affordable than natural fabrics such as silk.
- The intricacy of design – The level of detail in the dress, including intricate designs and additional embellishments like beads, contributes to the overall cost.
- Where it came from – Dresses imported from other countries tend to be pricier due to shipping costs, while locally-made dresses are often more budget-friendly.
- Added alterations – Any alterations to the dress, whether in design or fit, will incur extra costs, considering the additional work and materials involved.
- Measurements – Larger dress sizes require more fabric, impacting the overall cost based on the amount of material needed for the garment.
Before you head out
Let us give you some Divisoria newbie tips!
- Have a design or style in mind: Decide whether you want a backless dress or a more modest design. Think about what kind of neckline you want as well as the length of skirt you prefer. It’s better if you already have what style you want for a wedding dress for a quicker trip.
- Research: Look for other brides who bought a dress from Divisoria and shared their experience online. If you can’t decide what to look for in a dress, search for wedding dress Dos and Don’ts to guide you.
- Dress comfy: Wear a comfortable attire. The district is hot and humid and you may be walking all day. Wearing rubber shoes, shorts, or pants, and a simple shirt will help you navigate the area with ease.
- Stay hydrated: Make sure you stay hydrated during your shopping expedition. While there are food stalls available, it’s better to bring your water jug for quick and convenient access to water.
- Walk and Ask Around: To secure the best deal on a dress, engage with the vendors. Ask about the prices of the dresses you like by asking the stall’s tinderos and tinderas. They’ll more than likely answer your questions to ensure you find the dress of your dreams.
- Go on a weekday: Go on a weekday visit to the district to avoid larger crowds. Consider going in the morning to make the most of the day and maximize your chances of finding the perfect wedding dress.
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