With the rising cost of formal-wear, people are always looking for new ways to save money when it comes to wedding apparel.

Custom-made needn't be expensive

If retail prices on wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses give you a case of sticker shock, consider having the dresses custom made. An experienced seamstress can often create a design from a magazine picture at a savings of about 50 percent of what you would pay for an almost identical brand label dress in a bridal boutique. When hiring a dressmaker, designer or seamstress, look for someone well established or well known with a good reputation -- someone with at least four references of previous bridal clients. Also ask to see pictures of work she has done in the past. Be sure that your designer/ seamstress has experience specifically in bridal wear, as there are many specialized techniques involved in designing and sewing bridal apparel that generalists may not be skilled with.

Eco-wear

Dressing "green" for your wedding needn't mean showing up wearing a burlap bowtie. Beautiful alternative fabrics and vintage formalwear help you look lovely on your big day. If nothing else, hemp silk gowns and vintage tuxes are unique and off the beaten rack. A wide variety of beautiful gowns are available at Conscious Clothing of Santa Fe. N.M. (www.getconscious.com) Conscious Clothing has been making environmentally and ecologically-conscious hemp, hemp/silk and hemp/tencel bridal garments or wedding gowns for environmentally-aware people for years. If you are having or are interested in having an alternative or eco wedding, your wedding dress ought to be the starting point.

In addition to eco-wear, vintage gowns and tuxes (read: recycled) are a less expensive option -- and a used prom gown or other evening wear can be paired with a matching veil to give the appearance of a real wedding dress. And don't forget, an heirloom gown passed down from a family member is free after tailoring.