Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???

abbydelva

I found a designer bridesmaid dress that I really like but the cost is just ridiculous to me and the $305 does not include alteration! I am trying to keep in mind of all the other expenses my bridesmaid will have to deal with without losing sight of my vision for my wedding.

What do you feel is appropriate cost for a long bridesmaid dress?

[Deleted User]

Nope. I would definitely not spend that much money on a dress I'd only wear once.

AddieCake

Nope.

artbyallie

It doesn't matter whether any of us would. Ask your bridesmaids for their budget without mentioning any numbers yourself. Pick something within the lowest budget. Or pick a color and length and let them each choose on their own.

Also, the dress and possibly travel should be the only 'expenses' for your bridesmaids. If you are requiring professional hair and make-up, specific jewelry, or specific shoes, you should foot the bill. And none of those things would count as gifts.

julibug86

I agree with PP that you need to ask them what their budget is like.  If they are all super rich/financially wealthy, then it might be fine.  It could also depend if they're in other weddings or attending other weddings or planning their own in the near future.  For me, since my wedding is coming up, I have 4 to attend as a guest, and 1 to attend as a bridesmaid, I would be really hard pressed to be comfortable spending that much money on a dress. 

Jessa617

Short answer- NO. I just don't have that kind of money.

You need to talk to each of your bridesmaids INDIVIDUALLY and ask them what their budget is. If you want matching dresses, go with something in their budget. If you don't care about matching dresses just give your girls a color and length and let them pick out their own.

fperez7542

Nope! I wouldn't even ask my BMs either.  I think that is very expensive for a BM dress for my wedding.  Then you add shoes, accessories, if they want to do their hair, make up and your girt.  Everything adds up.

dem068

I would not want to pay that much.  It is a ton of money to spend on a dress that you are never going to wear again.  My long BM dresses cost $164.  You should look at RK bridal.  It is a huge dress store in NYC, but also sells dresses online.  My girls went and tried them on there (and some from out of town just took their measurements and compared them to the size chart and ordered that way).  Any of the girls that need alterations are just taking them to their local tailor and getting it done that way.  I tried to keep it as far under budget as possible for my BMs.  I told my BMs to wear whatever shoes are comfortable for them and they can wear their hair/makeup however they feel comfortable (since they are all adults, they know what looks good on them).   Your wedding should not cost them an arm and leg

abbydelva

Thank you ladies for the advice!!! !In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_would-you-pay-305-for-a-bridemaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:7146c3a1-a3fa-42de-b6ff-2ee53b80ba55Post:19942d7e-1762-498e-a92e-32995d60bdac">Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???</a>:
[QUOTE]I found a designer bridesmaid dress that I really like but the cost is just ridiculous to me and the $305 does not include alteration! I am trying to keep in mind of all the other expenses my bridesmaid will have to deal with without losing sight of my vision for my wedding. What do you feel is appropriate cost for a long bridesmaid dress?
Posted by abbydelva[/QUOTE]

jlm9113

No way.

Try www.weddingshoppeinc.com and see if they have that dress there (the dresses are significantly cheaper and it's not a knock-off site).  Although, if the original cost is $305, the reduced price probably isn't that much better.

LiLe422

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_would-you-pay-305-for-a-bridemaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:7146c3a1-a3fa-42de-b6ff-2ee53b80ba55Post:19942d7e-1762-498e-a92e-32995d60bdac">Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???</a>:
[QUOTE]I found a designer bridesmaid dress that I really like but the cost is just ridiculous to me and the $305 does not include alteration! I am trying to keep in mind of all the other expenses my bridesmaid will have to deal with without losing sight of my vision for my wedding. <strong>What do you feel is appropriate cost for a long bridesmaid dress?</strong>
Posted by abbydelva[/QUOTE]

It does not matter how <em>we </em>feel.  Your bridesmaids budget is what matters.  You need to ask them (individually and privately) what they are comfortable paying.  What seems like a lot of money to one person, may not to another.
And to answer your question, I think anything over $200 is too expensive. 

winelover123

Ask your BMs their budgets - maybe all of them will love the dress and want to buy it. Or maybe it'll be too much. To answer your question, though, I wouldn't spend over $150.

itzMS

Can you post a picture of the dress? We can probably help you find similar dresses in various price ranges.

daria24

As PP have said, what matters is your BM's budget. I think $200 is the most I would spend on a BM dress, but other people might say far less.

I think nearly all BM dresses look so similar, if you post a link we can recommend lower priced alternatives! 

Blue_Bird

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_would-you-pay-305-for-a-bridemaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:7146c3a1-a3fa-42de-b6ff-2ee53b80ba55Post:19942d7e-1762-498e-a92e-32995d60bdac">Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???</a>:
[QUOTE]I found a designer bridesmaid dress that I really like but the cost is just ridiculous to me and the $305 does not include alteration! I am trying to keep in mind of all the other expenses my bridesmaid will have to deal with without losing sight of my vision for my wedding. What do you feel is appropriate cost for a long bridesmaid dress?
Posted by abbydelva[/QUOTE]

No, I woulnd't. It also really doesn't matter what I feel is an appropriate cost. I don't have to pay for it. You check with your bridesmaids first privately, and find out their budgets. Whatever the lowest one is, is how much you have to work with.

ETA: To put things in perspective for my budget- your bridesmaid dress is twice what I spent on my wedding dress.

Viczaesar

No, I absolutely would not.  You need to ask each of your bridesmaids, privately, what their budget is for a bridesmaid dress, and go with the lowest number you're given.

kmmssg

Have to agree with the others.  I would not pay that much and I could never ever ask my friends to spend that much for my one day party - even if they said they could afford it.

Knottie_22382452

305 is way too much on a dress that will be worn once. I've never spent more than 50 on an article of clothing, mind you my hobby that includes such clothes at that price is for horseback riding, even then I go for clearance racks. When we went shopping for the BM dress there were many dresses around 120 or less that I would wear again because it was flattering on me and versatile. Side note: I'm 5ft2 with a long torso and the dress that was actually then chosen was above the knee/cocktail length which I WOULDN'T wear again due to its style/cut along with the fact I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin with it. The dress was 143 not including alterations which would have probably pushed it to 160 range minimum and that was definitely pushing it for the fact it would never get worn again. If you are ok with giving the ladies a color swatch, telling them the length, designer so they have similar dye lots and letting them choose a dress that way, you won't have to worry about their budget. Don't assume how much they make or insist that they can afford it because of their extra daily activities that require money. That will cause an issue all in its own. If you insist they wear the same dress then talk to them separately about budget and go from there.

libby2483

Absolutely not! But, it doesn't really matter if I would or not.  You need to privately ask each BM for her budget and choose a dress below the lowest budget given.

Knottie_22382733

I paid over $200 for my MOH dress, with no regrets. I didn't need any alterations. I also purchased my own shoes, purse, and jewelry. It was also a destination wedding, I paid for my hotel room, my travel fees, and food. The bride paid for nothing for me. She was already paying for a wedding, she didn't need to pay for more. She asked my to be her MOH, I was trilled and honored! I'm so glad I spent the money and made her vision come true!

My personal opinion, talk to the BP, find out what their budgets are. All of my BP said not to worry about the cost, it didn't matter. We decided on a dress that everyone liked, I asked everyone privately to make sure they were all comfortable with both the price and the dress. The dress was under $150 without alterations. I paid for their jewlery and they are wearing black heels they already own.

Good luck! Happy planning!

banana468

It's totally out of my range.   I don't want to spend $300 on a dress I'll wear several times unless it promises to flatten my tummy and it comes with a case of wine.

However, why don't you:
1) Ask your BMs individually for their budgets.   After that
2) Post a photo of the dress you like and the ladies here may be able to help find one that's similar in style but fits your price range.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_would-you-pay-305-for-a-bridemaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:7146c3a1-a3fa-42de-b6ff-2ee53b80ba55Post:19942d7e-1762-498e-a92e-32995d60bdac">Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???</a>:
[QUOTE]I found a designer bridesmaid dress that I really like but the cost is just ridiculous to me and the $305 does not include alteration! I am trying to keep in mind of all the other expenses my bridesmaid will have to deal with without losing sight of my vision for my wedding. What do you feel is appropriate cost for a long bridesmaid dress?
Posted by abbydelva[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Heck no.  But that's me.  What matters is your BMs.  When you asked them their budget, what did they say?

</div>

Peledreamsofrain

Unless that dress comes with a hot one night stand with Johnny Depp, way too expensive.

Knottie_22382733

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_would-you-pay-305-for-a-bridemaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:7146c3a1-a3fa-42de-b6ff-2ee53b80ba55Post:27f7beb3-93f3-4168-aaa5-c13005ffbf09">Re:Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Would you pay 305 for a bridemaid dress???: Good for you, but not everyone is willing or even ABLE to do all of that, so it isn't fair to ask for it.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

She asked if I would, I responded. Then gave her advice on how to handle it with her BP. I know not everyone can, I saved for 9 months so I could do it. She asked, I answered.

Ajuliana

In my pre-adult life, yes.  When I got a job after college and started paying my own bills, those BCBG, Kate Spade, and Betsey Johnson purchases dwindled off QUICKLY.  I also want my bridesmaids to wear gorgeous, detailed, high quality dresses, but I am going to pay for them because it's MY vision, not theirs.  And in keeping with wedding ettiquette, you really shouldn't have unrealistic expectations of what people will spend because of what you want.   

AJuliaNJ

I would and have, but I don't represent everyone and I don't know your friends. Ask their budget first. If you are dead set on this dress and it isn't in their budget, you can purchase it for them.

SCogs18

$305 would be way too much for me.  What I did with my wedding was ask each girl indivudually what her budget was and then found a gown that accomidated the lowest one.  Personally, I would not want to spend more than $200 before alterations.

Another option if you truly love the gown is for you to pay the difference.  Say each woman can afford $200 then you can kick in the remaining $105 for each dress.  I am the MOH for a good friend and that is what she is doing.

nycrose2013

I have, more in fact, and it is annoying. Even if the dress is gorgeous, it will never be worn again and the costs add up quickly. If I am going to willingly spend 300 on a dress it would be for MY special occasion, not yours.

Simply Fated

Not for a bridesmaids dress, no. However, everyone is different. Some people have more money and could afford that. Then again, just because they can afford it, doesn't mean that's what they want to spend their money on.
I would individually ask your bridal party ladies what their budget is and see if this dress is in their budgets. If it isn't in their budgets... then it's back to the drawing board.
Honestly? Post a pic of the dress here. Maybe some of us can help you find similar dresses in more affordable prices. GL!

Sierra524

Considering $305 is only $45 short of my monthly rent, no I would not pay that much for a dress. That is crazy. You need to talk to your BMs and see what their budgets are.

mrsbobfilson

I love my girls in my wedding! I found them Satin Strapless Tea length dresses in style 8355 at Davids Bridal for $59.99 in cornflower blue !!! The girls love them!!!!! They come in sizes 4 to 24 sure to fit everyone! I bought their jewelry so they match but they don't know that yet! I am also paying for them to get their nails done. I will give them their gifts that I bought them for being in my wedding when I take them out to lunch or dinner,whenever I can get them together. I bought them silver heart shaped trinket boxes with their names on them! They are beautiful!