How much were your BM dresses?

AL8098 · July 2010

How much did your BM's pay for their dresses? What do you think is a reasonable price for a dress?

I have 7 girls in my wedding party. Originally I was hoping to find a designer with a lot of styles, pick the color and the length and then was gonna have each girl pick a style. So today I took three of the girls out shopping to see if we could find a designer with the color I was looking for and find some styles that they liked. All three of them ended up just falling in love with one of the dresses they tried and it comes in the color I'm looking for. I really like the dress as well and am now thinking that I'd like all the girls to wear this dress. However, the dress at the one store we looked at costs $200. Thats more than I've ever had to pay for a BM dress. The three girls I took today didn't think that was that outrageous or that big of a deal. I'm hoping to check a few more stores in the area that claim to carry this designer to see if prices vary at all but I'm guessing it won't be by much, if at all. Would I be crazy to pick this dress for all of the girls to wear given the price??

cschuma2 · July 2010

My girls picked from David's Bridal. I believe they were $149, $129 and one of the girls had a clearance sample dress for $29.99.

You need to ask your 4 remaining girls what their budget is. If they cannot afford it, offer to cover the difference or choose a new dress.

Does this designer have other less expensive styles? Go with your original plan of letting your ladies choose what they like. The 3 you shopped with can pick the one they like, and your other 4 will still have the opportunity to choose something that they like and will feel beautiful in as well.

jgmn537 · July 2010

I have 9 bridesmaides and the dresses are Mori Lee for $221.00 then 10 % off. I love them and didnt want to look for cheaper cuz I want that lush look. Of course you can always find a dress cheaper but I think this is a special day!

AL8098 · July 2010

Were you happy with House of Brides? I read some bad things about that place but one of my BM just emailed me a link to the dress they like and its $135 if you order it online. I don't want their expenses to get out of hand but my FI said he didn't think $200 was unreasonable as the guys will pay over $100 for tuxes normally around here. The girls will also get a discount if I get my dress from the same store and I'm letting them pick their shoes and I'm taking care of any jewelry and the hair/make up costs. I just know that $200 is about $40-50 more than I've ever had to pay for a dress.

kllson · July 2010

For my BM dresses, I found a pattern that I loved that offered several different necklines and styles and then found a satin fabric that was inexpensive and looks gorgeous. I found a seamstress or let the bridesmaids find one (I have two that live a great distance away) and they had their dresses made. They ended up costing $45 each for labor, fabric, etc, and they are custom made to fit each of their bodies (and I have many different sizes of girls, from a junior bridesmaid who is ten to one of my best friends who is a size 18).

Obviously the pattern I chose was not extraordinarily complicated and didn't require a lot of extras otherwise they may have been more. However, I'd look into having them made if you have the time. It's a decent option and is cost effective too.

Also, the seamstress we went to told us that she's had brides bring her examples of dresses from various places and she was able to make them for less.

Knittibell · July 2010

Check out Pearl's Place. I think $200 would be fine, but people have different budgets.

aerinpegadrak · July 2010

My girls all selected their own black dresses. One wore something she already owned, one got a David's Bridal dress at Ross (she didn't tell me what it cost, but I'm guessing under $50), one went to Target for about $50, and the two plus-sized girls spent about $150 each at a specialty shop.

bidge24 · July 2010

i got my gown at alfred angelo.with buying my dress i was given 20% off gift cards for all of the bridesmaids to use on their dresses. i think mother of the bride even gets a percentage off.

ks3pink · July 2010

My MOHs dresses were $135 and my BM and Jr BM dresses were $115. They all got 10% off, or either 15%. I wouldnt want to spend $200 but thats me.

[Deleted User] · July 2010

My BM selected dresses from DB and I believe they were all under $150. Although they were willing purchase whatever I wanted, I was considerate of their budgets and couldn't see spending more than that for something they may never wear again. Although our dresses were pretty basic and I think they could wear them again.

rak123 · July 2010

I would be pissed if a bride wanted me to spend $200 on a dress without consulting me first. Just ask your bridesmaids how much they are willing to spend. You have to remember that almost all dresses will need alterations as well, and those aren't cheap.

rak123 · July 2010

And my sister ordered a bridesmaid dress from HOB and it turned out perfectly. Saved her about $60.

golden1215 · July 2010

My 1 MoH got hers for $99 at Davids Bridal and we dont have sales tax here in MN. When I was her MoH I got mine on clearance from Target for $19.99.

I paid $250 for a BM dress I'll be in and it'll need another $150 in alterations. I was not asked my budget beforehand and I don't think I would have said yes to being in the wedding had I have known how expensive it would get.

Anthing over $150 is pushing it in my book.

mellm630 · July 2010

I got my dress from House of Brides, no real problems, the dress took longer than they said to come in, but it is great! My BM's got their dresses from Davids Bridal. The one that I loved and wanted them to wear looked awful on everyone! We were getting ready to leave when my mom found this one on the clearance rack, everyone loved it and bonus it was only $99!!!!

cstt21251723 · July 2010

I had 6 BM's and their dresses ranged from 120 $ - 145 $ I didnt want them to spend more then 150 on the dress.

gottahavashorti · July 2010

We ordered through Pearl's Place so they were just under $100 including shipping.

I'd prefer to stay at $125 or less, $150 at most if minimal alterations were needed. But budget is really up to your BMs.

KickSoxDC · July 2010

For a wedding I was in recently, the BM dresses were more than 200...then to get altered (they fit reeally strangely) another 200...this was a lot in my opinion for a dress i'd only wear once!

I like the idea of asking each bm their personal budgets individually and working with thtat #!

Kate504 · July 2010

I've spent over 250 and almost 300 on one because of add ons, because they charged me for extra fabric (over 14 i think and i got a 16) and length (i'm 5'11" and then my dress was a little longer than everyone's) and then needed to take in the dress uh! but where we got the dress offers free ulterations.

How much were your BM dresses?

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