Bridesmaid dress issue! Help!

megleigh86

I am not able to pay for my girls' bridesmaid dresses and I feel absolutely terrible asking them to shell out over a hundred dollars for something they will never wear again. I know I worry too much but I am really stressed about finding the dresses I like, while still keeping things cheap for them. And it doesn't help that I am pretty set on long dresses which usually cost a bit more. If anyone has any tips or know of any online places that I could find some great dresses for less, I would really appreciate it!

amymaysa

You could try looking for non-bridesmaids dresses as department stores.

pgcp

First ask them individually what they can afford.  What ever the lowest price point is is the price limit.  Remember to leave a bit of money in the budget for alterations.  Then start looking for a dress.  You may have to consider non bridal shop choices, department stores, online sources (Mod Cloth for instance), Target.  Remember that prom season is coming, not all prom dresses are ugly, tacky, junior looking messes!

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1cbd70d&DeptID=70656&CatID=80145&SO=1&SelDim=4294957900~&CatSel=4294936938|evening+%2b+cocktail&NOffset=0&Ne=4294957900+1490+1031+29+3+8+585&pagesize=1&x5view=1&N=4294936938&Nao=0&PSO=1&bcCat=3&CmCatId=70656|80145

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/demeter-maxi-dress-in-black

http://www.target.com/p/Strapless-Wrap-Front-Chiffon-Maxi-Dress-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13809493#?lnk=Utility_BRIDEMD_0101_X0Y2W4_0|X0Y2W4&intc=X0Y2W4|null

Pretty dresses can be found on a smaller budget.

lopezalonso

First of all, it is not your responsibility to pay for their dresses. As PP mentioned, ask them what their budget is and shop around with that information. My best friend got her BM dresses from RK Bridal in New York and that was the cheapest place we saw. It's kind of like a bride and BM dress warehouse. Check out their online website, you can place orders through the website or by phone.

maribeth721

It is never your responsibility to pay for their dresses and they should know that. Ask them what they are able to afford. And like the other responses above, check out non-bridesmaid dresses at department stores. Also check for sales, I know David's Bridal usually has a lot of sales. And when you are shopping for your gown ask if your BM's get a discount for ordering from the same place - most shops do that.

kateguess22

Megleigh you are definitely worrying too much. Be open with your bridesmaids. Tell them that your top consideration when choosing their dresses is how expensive it will be for them and ask them to help you by being honest while dress shopping about what will be too expensive. It is totally normal for bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses etc. A good friend of mine chose a colour (red) and then had her bridesmaids all choose their own dresses and they could all spend whatever they wanted to. I highly recommend that you let them choose their own dresses. I'm not having a wedding party but if I was this is definitely what I would do. Tell them what colour and that you want it to be ankle-length and then have them choose. All you can do is be flexible and be clear that you are stressed about this and that you'd feel better if you knew that they are comfortable being honest with you about this. You have other things to worry about.