Opinions on Bridesmaid dress

LADY324

What are your opinions on this dress for my bridesmaids?  I am doing hot pink knee length dresses.  I would like to keep them cheap for the girls since they are only going to be wearing them for one day.

I was thinking of having them wear silver shoes and letting them pick out their own shoe. 

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Short-Satin-Dress-with-Side-Drape-F44026_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Short-Bridesmaid-Dresses

akcrrr

Very nice dress. I think silver shoes would be very nice with that color. Good Choice!

michelle221

Simple but chic, love the side drape, can wear again, and will look very pretty in pink with siver shoes.

felicia220

I actually really like this dress, and I don't like many BM dresses.  I also agree that they can actually wear this again.  I think this was one of the best choices I have ever seen.  

mbcdefg

They really need to try it on. It's a nice-looking dress, but there's no way to tell from a photo if it'll look good on your friends. Even if they're all the same size ... not every size 8 girl is built the same way. And even if the dress works, the hot pink color might not, so keep an open mind and let them try things on.

You also need to talk to them, each in private, about their budget. $99 sounds affordable, but you never know what each of them want to spend or what money problems they might secretly have, so $99 might wind up as too expensive for one of them, you never know. Talk to each girl and ask, "What are you comfortable spending on a dress?" and let her give you a price point, and then select a dress that they can all afford.

I 100% agree with you to let them pick their own shoes. Silver shoes would be great with pink dresses.

And at 17 months out, I wouldn't be making any bridesmaid dress decisions just yet, or getting your heart set on something that might get discontinued. I also wouldn't talk to the BMs about it just yet, as you risk giving them Wedding Burnout this early in the game (and I also wouldn't heavily involve them in the plans this early, either, otherwise they will be tired of it soon - and there's nothing for them to do now anyway). By all means look around and get ideas, but don't get them involved or start looking seriously for about 9 more months.

mbcdefg

Why do I always type freaking novels? :P

kasabby

I really like it. Do you think it is a style that will fit all the girls and that they will be comfortable in? 

I do agree with mbc as well--17 months is a little far out for a dress. It may get discontinued by then.

jrgoogrl

Beautiful! Simple, chic, and can definitely be worn again! Silver shoes would look great!

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:3304e8fe-c6f5-4b08-81f2-8b8b18699508">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]Why do I always type freaking novels? :P
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

Lol you do always write novels.  I am just bored at work browsing that's all.  I am not talking to any of the bridesmaids yet about the dresses.  I am thinking this fall maybe october we will really start looking. 

I am not by any means trying to have them buy dresses anytime soon.  Of course I would have them try on the dresses first to see how they fit and if they like them.  I do want a hot pink and lime green themed wedding so hot pink is pretty much the one thing I am sticking to. 

We are all 29 to 30 with established jobs so I don't think $100 bucks is anything expensive.  Especially considering I was in the 3 of their weddings and spent $250 on 2 of the dresses and $200 on the other.

Denise91980

I agree with mbc...it is a cute dress, but not flattering for all figures. I am tiny on top with a badunk, so I think I would be uncomfortable in it. Have you looked at t-lengh dresses? They tend to be a bit more flattering IMO. I do like the color and silver shoes..

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:832bb529-a838-4f1f-9190-0aa84f794f09">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with mbc...it is a cute dress, but not flattering for all figures. I am tiny on top with a badunk, so I think I would be uncomfortable in it. Have you looked at t-lengh dresses? They tend to be a bit more flattering IMO. I do like the color and silver shoes..
Posted by Denise91980[/QUOTE]

Thanks no I have not looked into T-length dresses i was just bored browsing the internet today.  Once we go shopping together in the fall I will def be open to different styles just as long as the dress is pink!

mbcdefg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:04268eb1-933a-434f-aec5-d2a648416433">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress :
We are all 29 to 30 with established jobs so I don't think $100 bucks is anything expensive.  Especially considering I was in the 3 of their weddings and spent $250 on 2 of the dresses and $200 on the other.
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

I see what you're saying (and I personally think $100 is very reasonable), but you really still have to ask each of them what they want to spend. It's their money, so it's considerate of you to get their input.

Did they ask you what you wanted to spend on your dresses for their weddings, or did they just say, "The dress will be $200-250, go buy it"? I know lots of people here have said they were pissed to just be TOLD what they were spending, even if it was an amount that they could easily afford. If THEY were inconsiderate enough to not ask your input, it doesn't mean that you ought to do the same thing to them. Break the cycle! :)

I don't know if Ann Taylor offers hot pink dresses, but I got my bridesmaids' dresses there (black dresses) and the whole process was SO easy. We ordered them online during a 40% off sale, they paid $129 each with free shipping and they were delivered to me after four days. No measurements, no long waiting period to have them delivered, no massive alterations ... I had the dresses delivered to my house, gave them to the girls and they went to local tailors on their own time for alterations (a week before the wedding, I think my sister got hers altered). The dresses were nicely made and they can probably wear them again, and the whole experience was SO stress-free for me.

kristen8040

I think the dress is cute and personally I think tea length is awful looking.  The one thing I would be weary of is the color and material of the "hot pink."  I think that can be harder to pull of than the style of the dress itself.

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:a8b6c73e-0e8e-4e5e-a83f-0d7365e62f02">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : I see what you're saying (and I personally think $100 is very reasonable), but you really still have to ask each of them what they want to spend. It's their money, so it's considerate of you to get their input. Did they ask you what you wanted to spend on your dresses for their weddings, or did they just say, "The dress will be $200-250, go buy it"? I know lots of people here have said they were pissed to just be TOLD what they were spending, even if it was an amount that they could easily afford. If THEY were inconsiderate enough to not ask your input, it doesn't mean that you ought to do the same thing to them. Break the cycle! :) I don't know if Ann Taylor offers hot pink dresses, but I got my bridesmaids' dresses there (black dresses) and the whole process was SO easy. We ordered them online during a 40% off sale, they paid $129 each with free shipping and they were delivered to me after four days. No measurements, no long waiting period to have them delivered, no massive alterations ... I had the dresses delivered to my house, gave them to the girls and they went to local tailors on their own time for alterations (a week before the wedding, I think my sister got hers altered). The dresses were nicely made and they can probably wear them again, and the whole experience was SO stress-free for me.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

Nope I was never asked how much I could afford.  One friend went with her MOH and said this is the place where the dress is this is how much it costs so go put down a deposit and get measured.  My other friend took us all to Priscilla had us all try on a dress some of us liked it some didn't and then that was it.  She never asked me how much I was willing to spend.  The same friend sent me a text one day saying I bought your shoes they were $90 bucks.  I was so pissed about that!! 

Thanks for the input on Anne Taylor I will def check it out.

mbcdefg

Yeah, making you guys buy specific shoes was pretty dumb to start with, but $90??? Eeep! I completely agree with you that telling them to get their own shoes in a specific neutral color like silver is the way to go.

Also try Nordstrom.com. Those dresses are pretty and they have a lot for $150 or less. Dillards.com also has some decent stuff. And jcrew.com dresses are pretty (but $$$, but sometimes they have good sales).

If hot pink doesn't flatter them, you could always do a neutral color dress (black, silver/grey, chocolate brown or a light/latte brown, champagne or taupe) with hot pink accents.

Alfred Angelo has a lot of colors available, and it's on the more affordable side as far as "bridesmaid dress designers" go. And wholesalers like pearlsplace.com, netbride.com and rkbridal.com offer discounts.

And if you go with a designer like Alfred Angelo, David's Bridal, etc., you could always pick the color/skirt length/fabric, and they could choose their own styles within those guidelines. That way, they can pick individually flattering dresses but it still looks uniform. I did this with Ann Taylor - I offered them three slightly different dresses (strapless, v-neck and scoop-neck, same fabric/color/knee-length) and the two of them each picked a different one. And you can barely even tell in the photos that they're not identical.

GolfChick78

I like the dress, it's simplicity, and the color with the silver shoes.  You might just want to consider the "shape" of the girls, though.

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:f0f35f0f-422d-477b-9362-e4a0becefc96">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I like the dress, it's simplicity, and the color with the silver shoes.  You might just want to consider the "shape" of the girls, though.
Posted by GolfChick78[/QUOTE]

Thanks ideally I would love to find a dress that has mutliple styles so they can all choose what they like the best. 

cindy9178

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:dfbb402c-ed34-407b-aadb-160f75c1d463">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]They really need to try it on. It's a nice-looking dress, but there's no way to tell from a photo if it'll look good on your friends. Even if they're all the same size ... not every size 8 girl is built the same way. And even if the dress works, the hot pink color might not, so keep an open mind and let them try things on. You also need to talk to them, each in private, about their budget. $99 sounds affordable, but you never know what each of them want to spend or what money problems they might secretly have, so $99 might wind up as too expensive for one of them, you never know. Talk to each girl and ask, "What are you comfortable spending on a dress?" and let her give you a price point, and then select a dress that they can all afford. I 100% agree with you to let them pick their own shoes. Silver shoes would be great with pink dresses. And at 17 months out, I wouldn't be making any bridesmaid dress decisions just yet, or getting your heart set on something that might get discontinued. I also wouldn't talk to the BMs about it just yet, as you risk giving them Wedding Burnout this early in the game (and I also wouldn't heavily involve them in the plans this early, either, otherwise they will be tired of it soon - and there's nothing for them to do now anyway). By all means look around and get ideas, but don't get them involved or start looking seriously for about 9 more months.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]
LOL I always write novels too.. so you are forgiven..
I agree with what you said above..

Also, to the OP, you had mentioned you figured they would wear this dress again, and I know many brides say that.. but will they really? Of course you know your BMs better than any of us. I personally would never wear a hot pink dress, or a satin dress for that matter. While you might think it is cute, they might not all agree, so just something to think about if you are hoping they will get more use out of it.
I've been in the same situation as you when I was a BM, with the shoe thing. She picked out these shoes she insisted we all wear, with a 3 1/2 inch heel. I had told her many times that I can wear that high of a heel because it hurts my feet after about 5 minutes, but she didn't care - she wanted us all in the same shoes - which ended up costing $80, ridiculous, considering I never wore them again, because they killed my feet!  I didn't want to make a big deal about it - although I could afford the $80, I would never pay that much for a pair of shoes I knew I was only going to wear one time - I just didn't want to be difficult and be the only one complaining about it. After the ceremony we were all standing outside taking pics, and I had to take my shoes off and walk around barefoot because they were already hurting so bad, then I wore flip flops for the entire reception. So I wore them all of about 45 minutes.
On a side now, I think that when you are a BM in a wedding of a friend who was a BM in your wedding, you should pretty much know what to expect as far as how much it is going to cost. If I paid $200 for a dress and $80 for shoes in my friend's wedding, then I think she should be ok with paying that much to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. While I did ask my BMs if they were ok with paying $200 for their dreeses (and nobody said it was a problem), I kind of expected that it would be ok, considering that is how much I spent for them.

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:1e04eb0e-8796-4249-a63d-f7b2e6eb661d">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : LOL I always write novels too.. so you are forgiven.. I agree with what you said above.. Also, to the OP, you had mentioned you figured they would wear this dress again, and I know many brides say that.. but will they really? Of course you know your BMs better than any of us. I personally would never wear a hot pink dress, or a satin dress for that matter. While you might think it is cute, they might not all agree, so just something to think about if you are hoping they will get more use out of it. I've been in the same situation as you when I was a BM, with the shoe thing. She picked out these shoes she insisted we all wear, with a 3 1/2 inch heel. I had told her many times that I can wear that high of a heel because it hurts my feet after about 5 minutes, but she didn't care - she wanted us all in the same shoes - which ended up costing $80, ridiculous, considering I never wore them again, because they killed my feet!  I didn't want to make a big deal about it - although I could afford the $80, I would never pay that much for a pair of shoes I knew I was only going to wear one time - I just didn't want to be difficult and be the only one complaining about it. After the ceremony we were all standing outside taking pics, and I had to take my shoes off and walk around barefoot because they were already hurting so bad, then I wore flip flops for the entire reception. So I wore them all of about 45 minutes. On a side now, I think that when you are a BM in a wedding of a friend who was a BM in your wedding, you should pretty much know what to expect as far as how much it is going to cost. If I paid $200 for a dress and $80 for shoes in my friend's wedding, then I think she should be ok with paying that much to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. While I did ask my BMs if they were ok with paying $200 for their dreeses (and nobody said it was a problem), I kind of expected that it would be ok, considering that is how much I spent for them.
Posted by cindy9178[/QUOTE]

I actually said "<strong> I would like to keep them cheap for the girls since they are only going to be wearing them for one day". 

</strong>Trust me I have been a BM 4 times and have heard the same thing.  I know the girls will never wear them again.  I think another PP on here said that they could wear that dress again.  
 
I honestly hate all bridesmaid dresses b/c they all look like bridesmaid dresses so I would like to keep them cheap for that sole purpose. 

mbcdefg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:1e04eb0e-8796-4249-a63d-f7b2e6eb661d">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : 
I've been in the same situation as you when I was a BM, with the shoe thing. She picked out these shoes she insisted we all wear, with a 3 1/2 inch heel. I had told her many times that I can wear that high of a heel because it hurts my feet after about 5 minutes, but she didn't care - she wanted us all in the same shoes - which ended up costing $80, ridiculous, considering I never wore them again, because they killed my feet! <strong> I didn't want to make a big deal about it -</strong> although I could afford the $80, I would never pay that much for a pair of shoes I knew I was only going to wear one time -<strong> I just didn't want to be difficult and be the only one complaining about it</strong>.


On a side now, I think that when you are a BM in a wedding of a friend who was a BM in your wedding, you should pretty much know what to expect as far as how much it is going to cost. If I paid $200 for a dress and $80 for shoes in my friend's wedding, then I think she should be ok with paying that much to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. <strong>While I did ask my BMs if they were ok with paying $200 for their dreeses (and nobody said it was a problem),</strong> I kind of expected that it would be ok, considering that is how much I spent for them.
Posted by cindy9178[/QUOTE]

That's why I'm a fan of saying, "What can you afford to spend on a dress?" rather than, "I want a dress that costs $x, is that O.K. with you?" Because you never know who's just agreeing with you so that she doesn't rock the boat.

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:bb0d765f-5eb5-4536-a973-fc72bb127d07">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress :
I honestly hate all bridesmaid dresses b/c they all look like bridesmaid dresses so I would like to keep them cheap for that sole purpose. 
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

I agree, I didn't like the idea of "bridesmaid dresses" either, which is why I wanted to look into Ann Taylor and other places like Nordstrom and Macy's.

Plus I was just too lazy and impatient to have them go get measured and wait around for the dresses to be delivered and then have them go get alterations at the salon. I'm a fan of doing things as quickly and as simply as possible.

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:e0f4bb48-aaf6-4413-98f7-a31b535c0180">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : That's why I'm a fan of saying, "What can you afford to spend on a dress?" rather than, "I want a dress that costs $x, is that O.K. with you?" Because you never know who's just agreeing with you so that she doesn't rock the boat. In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : I agree, I didn't like the idea of "bridesmaid dresses" either, which is why I wanted to look into Ann Taylor and other places like Nordstrom and Macy's. Plus I was just too lazy and impatient to have them go get measured and wait around for the dresses to be delivered and then have them go get alterations at the salon. I'm a fan of doing things as quickly and as simply as possible.
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

Were you able to find the dress in the store to have the girls try them on before you ordered them?

mbcdefg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:46fad6e9-5f0a-4623-963a-dd3f7aaeccb9">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : Were you able to find the dress in the store to have the girls try them on before you ordered them?
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

No, they didn't try them on beforehand, although there are a few AT stores we could've driven to so they could try them on in person. I asked if they wanted to do that, but since the return policy was so easy they said they'd just order the dresses and try them on at home, and we'd look elsewhere if they didn't like the dresses.

MOH ordered the v-neck in her street size and it fit her, so she was good to go.

BM ordered two different styles in her street sizes because she couldn't decide between strapless and scoop-neck. She liked the scoop-neck better, but the dresses didn't fit right because she's very busty, so she returned the strapless and exchanged the scoop-neck for the next size up, which fit her. The whole process only took about two weeks total, and there were no problems with the credit cards or refunds or anything like that.

PrettyGirl815

The dress is pretty.  You are never going to please everyone, and your price point seems reasonable. Some girls are going to be miserable in whatever you put them in--just be prepared for that.  No dress is going to flatter everyone, so my only suggestion would be to be as thoughtful as you can about your BM's and their needs without sacrificing what you want for your wedding,

I like that you told them to wear whatever silver shoe they want.
The dress seems reasonable.

I'm of the mindset that the shoe and hair should be up to the individual BM. And the jewelry. You love each girl individually--and each girl has her own sense of style.

Good luck.

cindy9178

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:bb0d765f-5eb5-4536-a973-fc72bb127d07">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : I actually said "  I would like to keep them cheap for the girls since they are only going to be wearing them for one day".  Trust me I have been a BM 4 times and have heard the same thing.  I know the girls will never wear them again.  I think another PP on here said that they could wear that dress again.     I honestly hate all bridesmaid dresses b/c they all look like bridesmaid dresses so I would like to keep them cheap for that sole purpose. 
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

I apologize, I think I read your Post and then somebody's elses and thought you said that they could wear them again.. my bad! :)

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:aa52674b-0304-435d-927b-627aa4bd918a">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress : I apologize, I think I read your Post and then somebody's elses and thought you said that they could wear them again.. my bad! :)
Posted by cindy9178[/QUOTE]

lol no problem I just knew that I defnitely didnt say it b/c I hate it when people used to say that to me.  

It reminds me of the movie 27 dresses!
 

uppereastgirl

I like it, and wouldn't complain about having to wear it, but it isn't something I'd pick.  It is maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10 for me?  Also I'd make sure that someone tries it on, even if it is you.  I had to wear a dress with side ruching like that a few years ago and even though most of the bridesmaids were size 2 or smaller, a lot of the girls were complaining about how fat they felt in the dress.  The ruching added stomach bulge where there otherwise would be none.  But all dresses are different so maybe it works here -- still worth checking what it is like in real life.

Honestly, I don't think you need to make everyone try it on or have everyone rave about it.  My thought has always been that as a bridesmaid, it is my job to show up on the wedding day wearing the dress that the bride loves, even if I hate it.  It is one thing if it is uncomfortable to wear or there are serious, serious fit or decency issues, but it is hard to please a crowd and it is your wedding and the dresses are part of the decor.  If the bride picks an ugly dress that I look awful in, well -- I'll look ridiculous in *her* pictures and then will move on with my life and laugh about it afterwards.  

I also don't think you necessarily need to ask your girls what they can spend, unless you really aren't sure.  They're your best friends, so you probably have a decent sense on what their financial circumstances are and what their clothing budgets look like.  I've never been consulted when I've been a bridesmaid, but the brides knew what I could spend.  We'd consulted each other enough times on "I have a wedding to go to in two weeks -- what do you think of this dress?" (with a link that, of course, shows what the price is) and have gone shopping together enough that I knew spending x on a bridesmaid dress would or would not make them blink.  You kind of know how your friends live.  And the DB dress is only $100 which is extremely reasonable for a bridesmaid dress -- I'd assume that when they said yes to being  bridesmaids, they knew that they'd be spending that or more on a dress.  I just don't think it needs to be a concern unless you have reason to believe from knowing them that their budgets are tight.

LADY324

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_opinions-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:09f80fe1-4d45-42f2-9e38-76ac30ea279fPost:770aefa4-ff7e-4a5c-9d21-04023c92d5f1">Re: Opinions on Bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I like it, and wouldn't complain about having to wear it, but it isn't something I'd pick.  It is maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10 for me?  Also I'd make sure that someone tries it on, even if it is you.  I had to wear a dress with side ruching like that a few years ago and even though most of the bridesmaids were size 2 or smaller, a lot of the girls were complaining about how fat they felt in the dress.  The ruching added stomach bulge where there otherwise would be none.  But all dresses are different so maybe it works here -- still worth checking what it is like in real life. Honestly, I don't think you need to make everyone try it on or have everyone rave about it.  My thought has always been that as a bridesmaid, it is my job to show up on the wedding day wearing the dress that the bride loves, even if I hate it.  It is one thing if it is uncomfortable to wear or there are serious, serious fit or decency issues, but it is hard to please a crowd and it is your wedding and the dresses are part of the decor.  If the bride picks an ugly dress that I look awful in, well -- I'll look ridiculous in *her* pictures and then will move on with my life and laugh about it afterwards.   I also don't think you necessarily need to ask your girls what they can spend, unless you really aren't sure.  They're your best friends, so you probably have a decent sense on what their financial circumstances are and what their clothing budgets look like.  I've never been consulted when I've been a bridesmaid, but the brides knew what I could spend.  We'd consulted each other enough times on "I have a wedding to go to in two weeks -- what do you think of this dress?" (with a link that, of course, shows what the price is) and have gone shopping together enough that I knew spending x on a bridesmaid dress would or would not make them blink.  You kind of know how your friends live.  And the DB dress is only $100 which is extremely reasonable for a bridesmaid dress -- I'd assume that when they said yes to being  bridesmaids, they knew that they'd be spending that or more on a dress.  I just don't think it needs to be a concern unless you have reason to believe from knowing them that their budgets are tight.
Posted by uppereastgirl[/QUOTE]

Thanks I agree wtih you 100% on everything you said!