I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding bridesmaids' dresses. I've been researching different brands, and I feel like most of the nicer quality (ie J Crew, Anne Klein) dresses are around $250 each. Less expensive dresses (ie Davids) are not as nice, but they are less expensive.
I've asked my bridesmaids about this, and their response has always been, 'whatever you want,' which is extremely sweet, but probably not the absolute truth! I feel bad making them spend a lot on a dress many of them will wear only once...which brings me to another question - how many of you are either paying, or helping pay for BM dresses? I'm starting to consider this. I've always paid for my own BM dress in weddings I've been in, but now that I'm on the other end, it feels a little different!
Thanks, ladies. Happy planning!! :)
Cacarina
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
My Badgely Mischka Bridesmaid dresses cost $260 (after a 20% discount I was able to get) and all my BM paid for them themselves. No one complained...at least not to my face! They all chose the dress and love it. I don't think you should pay for the dress, unless of course you can afford to!
jenturch
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
I had my girls try on like a million dresses and we all came to the decision together. It was based on what looked good on everyone and price. In the end we narrowed it down to 2 that were the same price and the girls wanted me to choose. Everyone seemed happy with the dress and they all looked beautiful!!!!
M_Berk-Glenn
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
You have to know your BMs budget!!! they may say $200+ is ok with them bcuz they dont want to hurt your feelings, also you have to take unforeseen financial obligations into consideration.
I let my grls pick their own dresses...I told them they have to be the same length, material , and color. Their dresses range from $80 (on sale) to $240
jenny35
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
My bridemaids dresses are Priscilla of Boston Vineyard collection. They cost about 175 after a 10% discount. I put the down payment down which is half the dress. I tried to look for an affordable dress, I felt bad making them spend a lot of money on a dress they will only wear once. They all told me the samething that they didn't care how much the dress cost they would wear whatever I wanted but I just felt bad even though I know they expect to pay for dress.
They were very greatful when I told them I was paying for half. But if you can't afford it then don;t do it, they probably don't expect you to anyway.
I wish that some of the brides paid for a part of the BM dresses I had to wear. None ever did.... I have started to look at BM dresses and am trying to remember how it felt when I had to buy the dress I was only going to wear once. There are nice dresses out there.. we just have to find them to make our BMs happy (to our face and behind our backs)!
Lsorrent
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
My girls' dresses cost $196.....after alteration cap and tax they will max out at $276. I told them all that I didn't want them paying more than $250 total, so I've offered to pay the difference if anyone's dress is more than $250. They all told me not to worry, but I insisted.
JamDancer
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
Mine are Bill Levkoff, a lot of them are more affordable around the $150-175 range but good quality
FutureMrsM
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
I am not paying for the dresses. However, I did let them pick the dress they wanted (therefore they knew up front the cost, lol) and they didn't care how much they were, so they chose a Bill Levkoff dress which cost $260 or something like that... I think it's a nice gesture to pay for a portion or the whole amount, I just preferred to give them gifts they would have forever and that they would view as sentimental.
Julia0927
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
From the beginning me and FH decided that we will be paying. Since I started looking late I got them in Macys and I am so happy. I got dresses that were $140 for $40 since they are prom/evening dresses.(Pics in my album)
GT143EA
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
My girls also wore Bill Levkoff. Payed around 190 something and alterations were capped at 75.
alli3131
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
My girls wore VIneyard dresses from POB. They were $198. They looked great the day of. The fabric is flowy not stiff like so many of the dresses we looked at and tried on.
MarjorieFrank
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
I will help pay for my BM dresses if they go over $200, I will pay the difference.
Some moderately priced designers are Bill Levkoff, Impression... Some higher priced designers that I love are Jim Hjelm, Watters & Watters, Alvina Valenta...
debzy
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
Posted by jenturch
I had my girls try on like a million dresses and we all came to the decision together. It was based on what looked good on everyone and price. In the end we narrowed it down to 2 that were the same price and the girls wanted me to choose. Everyone seemed happy with the dress and they all looked beautiful!!!!
Same with me. I had 4 of my BMs try on a lot of dresses and the one they decided on was around $215. The MOH dress was only about $190. Nobody complained about the price. I have, however, had friends complain about other weddings they've been in when wearing cheap dresses (David's Bridal) because they just felt the material was less flattering.
pa56
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
In terms of re-usability, I think the color of the dress is more important than the style/material.
An orange or green dress may not be worn again, but black/brown and other neutral colored dresses may. As a bridesmaid, I wouldn't mind spending $200+ on a dress that has the potential to be worn again.
I have been a bridesmaid three times and all three times I have had to pay for the dress (the most expensive was $150). I wouldn't feel right about asking someone to pay $250+ for a dress (plus alterations) for a dress they will never wear again... plus other bridesmaid duties such as bacherorette party and bridal shower.
maryana
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Re: questions about bridesmaids dresses...
RK Bridal in NYC has about every designer for BM dresses and is really cheap (comparitively) and they match online pricing. YOu could look at some other brands like Bill Lefkoff, Bari Jay, Jim Hjelm and they may be under $200.
Also check out Nordstrom's bridesmaid dresses--they often have sales and their prices for the dresses are surprisingly reasonable.
I wouldn't worry about the prices though. I think you should obviously be considerate and not get a $500 dress. But anything below $300 is kind of expected if you take on the responsibilities of being in a bridal party. I think it's really nice if you pitch in for some of the costs of some things e.g. hair or makeup or dress-- but completly unnecessary.
