How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
Annieb
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How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I found a BM dress that I really like but i am afraid that it is too expensive...how much were your bm dresses+wrap? The dress i like is $260+$70(wrap) Is that too much? Thanks for the help
radiostar
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I think that would depend on how much they have to spend in addition to that. In order words, do they have to travel in order to participate in the wedding?? I think that may be a little steep if you're asking them to travel and be responsible for lodging, etc. It also depends on whether or not you think they can afford it. ARe your BMs college students? Or are they attorneys.
Be mindful of the TOTAL costs that they will have to incur to participate in the ceremony.
karen32
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I tried really hard to keep the dress price under $200 - b/c the girls have so much else to buy - shower gift, wedding gift, shoes, etc. IMO - that price is a little steep, but I don't know your BP. My girls would probably freak - 2 of them are trying to save for houses, one is having a baby. I think you need to look at the whole picture.
Edited to say: is the $330 before alterations????
Sassy
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I also made sure to stay under $200 I agree $330 may be a bit much, considering there are still shoes to buy, and alterations to be made. Plus throwing a bridal shower, getting hair and nails done.
I would definitely price the dress on Netbride.com. They can offer you a much better price. My girls saved quite a bit with this option, and I know some have saved almost $100 per dress. I saved about $50-75 per dress.
Also, if the girls think it's too much a couple of options: 1. Perhaps you can help them with the cost 2. Perhaps you can lose the wrap?
karenJ
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I agree with Liz.
You can also try bridalmarketplace.com They offered me a good deal. All you need is the designer name, style # and size (based on their sizing chart).
Karen
wacky
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I did my best to keep it under $200, JMO but thats kind of high and then shoes, purses, alterations, etc are needed
curly2003
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
Definitely try to kepp it under $200 b/c remember then they need shoes and stuff.
dcbride
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I think under $200 but ask them- I wanted to keep it uder 150 but they said they would pay more.
eroxgirl
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I would ask them how they felt about it...the dress I like is about that much ($270) and I asked my bp and they were all okay with it but if they said it was too much I would look for something less expensive.
OctBride03
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I also tried to keep everything under $200.... My BM's dress came out to be $150 and alterations are $50, the total was $206...
nylisa
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
For me this is a very hard question. See, my best friend got married last year and I had to pay almost $450 (with shoes, etc.) for my BM dress. I thought that was a little too much but since she asked me to be in her BP, I knew that I had to spend that kind of money for the dress.
OctBride03
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
WHOA! $450!! I understand you were expecting to pay Lisa, but $450?! My BM's are aware of whatever expenses, but out of respect to them, I kept it a low as I could... JMO of course!
dkga1026
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I also think the price may be too steep. I would either help them pay for it (if I really loved the dress) or choose another dress. If you ask them, they may be too polite to say no to the dress - especially if they know you love it. Good luck!
christine1221
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
considering that there is soooo much financial resp. in being included in a BP
dress & alterations, shoes, hair & makeup (if they want), nails, shower gift, bachelorette party, wedding gift ... etc.
It's probably best to keep the cost down as low as poss on the dress itself. There are great manufacturers that are not pricey at all. Mine were Mori Lee & were around $150 for each ... they didn't all have the same dress. after alterations, most were still under $200.
Shop around ... and if you order dresses through your bridal salon, they usually offer a discount. I'd start there.
good luck!
dkga1026
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
Lisa, I feel your pain. Last March, DH's cousin asked me to be in her BP and the dress cost $800!!!! DH (he was FH at the time) paid for the dress, but I thought it was R-U-D-E to ask 9 BM's to shell out $1000 for a dress, shawl and shoes.
nylisa
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I thought it was horrible to pay that much. I was engaged a week by the time she got married. The only good thing is that since the dress was white, I am going to be using the undergarments and shoes for my wedding. My friends told me that since the dress is a dress that I will never wear again, I have very expensive dust rags.
lulu
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
I wanted to keep the costs for my BM dresses under $200 nd was lucky to find a dress everyone loved for on $150. In my opinion that is a little pricey, but it depends on your BMs financial situations. Is it a dresss they can wear again, if so they may be willing to spend the extra $$.
Niecey
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
dka-I want to see that $800 dress. OMG!
My opinion - I think $200 is a good, average amount. I think once you go above $250 is on the high side. I agree you know byaccepting the invite to be in a bridal party you are accepting a financial obligation but between dress, shoes, hair, nails, stockings, undergarments, showers expenses, bachelorette party expenses, wedding gift, etc. they arealready apending a lot of money. I would try to keep the cost of the dress within reason and not try to add to the expense of being in a wedding party unnecessarily. SHop the dress around maybe you can find a better price somewhere else if you really love the dress. or is the shawl necessary, that would bring the cost down? Or maybe you can buy them the shawls?
littlecat
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
My dresses are $243 plus alterations capped at $45. That price is not horrible, after all it is YOUR wedding. I would shop around for the best price. Bridal Reflections wanted me to pay $270 plus alterations at $55. Who makes the dress (sounds like Lazaro, they are pretty pricey). If it is Lazaro, FM me and I'll let you know where I looked. I ended up getting it at Iman Bridal Couture in Old Brookville - they gave me 10% off the regular price.
SeptemberBride03
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Re: How much is fair to ask BM's to spend on their dress?
Annieb- what designer is it? I bet you can find it somewhere else cheaper. My MOH is getting married and her dress was $240 and we ended up getting it for $140!!
