bari jay

donnamarie02

Does anyone know about the price ranges on their bridesmaid dresses? I picked this desinger for my girls b/c I like the style and it comes in the shade I want. I went into a bridal store w/a friend for another reason but randomly asked about Bari Jay. The store said they didn't carry them b/c they were higher end. On the knot Bari Jay dresses I've seen had two dollar signs. So I was wondering if you gals knew about their price range? Thanks in advance

mbcdefg

Did you ask the BMs their price range before you chose this designer? Don't just pick something and then assume you can afford it.

Here's the Bari Jay page on houseofbrides.com, a discount site ... looks like many are $150 or less. http://houseofbrides.com/home.php?cat=454 ... You can get similar discounts from netbride.com, rkbridal.com and pearlsplace.com. Contact those websites, and local salons, to see what the actual prices are.

But again, talk to your BMs first. And don't say, "I want Bari Jay dresses and they're $x, can you afford that?" because then they may feel obligated to say yes even if they cannot afford it. Talk to each girl privately and say, "What can you afford to spend on a dress? Remember that it may need alterations so figure that into your budget as well." Once they give you their prices, THEN start looking for designers that they can all afford.

donnamarie02

Yes I picked Bari Jay w/o asking them their budget. I told them I would find someone w/dresses under $200. We all agreed on it. I thought I did find dresses w/i the price range but then the sales girl threw me off. I didn't ask them budget, when I got engaged I told them all right away they were BM's and if they could save $7 a week until we got dresses, which was not a problem for anyone. So after savings they should have over $200 to shop with! I just wanted to make sure I was right and the sales girl was wrong Also, I'm currently a BM in a wedding and  that the bride didn't ask us anything. She is just going to pick a dress and we are going to order. So I thought I was being accomadating buy giving them a savings price range compared to here buy this. Oh and I'm just picking the designer and they are picking the dress that fits their style and budget.

mbcdefg

It's still not right to just tell them what they need to spend.

It also wasn't right for your bride friend to tell you what dress to order, but that doesn't justify you telling your BMs that they will be spending $200 or less. It's not your place to tell them what they should be able to afford.

Just because you tell them something and they say "No problem" doesn't necessarily mean that they're O.K. with it ... you're putting them in a position where they probably feel bad saying no. And our culture unfortunately makes women out to be "biitches" when they don't go along with exactly what a bride wants.

But, whatever. Hopefully your BMs don't mind you telling them what they can and cannot afford.

chasegl

I think what you did was fine. It can be hard to find decent dresses under $200.  I told my BMs I'd try to be price consciousand to please talk to me if they had any concerns.  I think it would be awkward to ask them how much they can afford, and I've never been asked that anytime I've been a BM.

I like some of the Bari jay dresses, too, and was trying to find a regular retail price for them also.  Wedding vendors should make these things easier for us.  And they shouldn't charge so much for crappy dresses made from cheap materials. 

donnamarie02

Thank you Chasegl for seeing my point!  I've never been asked price point or anything when I was a bm either. Mbcdefg I'm sure your bridesmaids are very happy they got to make decisions about your wedding. However, at my wedding I will pick the designer and I don't think the price point is unreasonable. It's one less extra value meal a week when ya think about it. Thanks for the input though. You gals on here are always so helpful.

itsinkthatlies

I don't usually post, mostly lurk.  My girls are wearing Bari Jay 643 in Raspberry with Aqua flowers.  The dress retails (in stores not online) for $220.  The most expensive Bari Jay dress my girls tried on was about $250.  They tried on quite a few. 

donnamarie02

Thanks you rock! My girls will wear raspberry too

mbcdefg

I actually did pick the designer, too. But I e-mailed them beforehand and asked what they wanted to spend, and then I found a designer within that price range.

I'm really not trying to criticize. I've just seen a lot of stories on here where a bride says something like, "My BM said in the beginning that she was fine with the price, but now we have to order tomorrow and she's suddenly short on cash and telling me that $x was too much to begin with." I just feel bad for brides when this happens, and feel that if you ask them a price on their own, you're less likely to run into problems later.

But that's also not to say that they'll save up $200 for your dresses and then have to spend it on a sudden car repair or something. So, anything can happen. Either way, I hope everything works out for you.

I've seen some Bari Jay-brand dresses on Nordstrom.com in the past, if it helps. Unfortunately it doens't look like they're there now, but maybe they will be in the future?

marylovesdoug

My Bari Jay BM dresses are short and they cost $225. My girls are wearing black, so they all agreed they are worth the money, since there is a chance they will wear them again.