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@shannonh32: Talk to your bridesmaids and see what they are comfortable with. Everyone is different. Personally, I would be comfortable spending $220 on a bridesmaid dress (especially if it includes alterations!). That doesn't seem bad to me at all. Everyone loves a bargain, of course - but if you all love the dress and the girls are comfortable with that amount, I say go for it.
ETA: If it is a long dress (especially in a fabric like crinkle chiffon), $220 seems especially reasonable. If it's a short dress, I might shop around a little more to see if you can get a better deal.
Alterations can be really expensive. I think $220 isn't too bad including alterations, I'm not sure if it's a "deal" though. In my experience being a bridesmaids and having bridesmaids, we've always been able to get dresses + alterations for < $200. So I guess it's reasonable but maybe still a little on the high side, based on my own experiences at least.
I've been in 2 weddings before, and paid over $250 for the dresses. One of them with alterations was closer to $300.
I have 5 bridesmaids and the dresses I'm going for are between $190-$250. I admit, it's not cheap, and that is why I am having mixed-matched dresses, that way everyone can choose their own style (and hopefully wear them after). One of my bridesmaids has casually mentioned this is out of her price range so we are going to look at another option for her. As long as it's the same color, we'll make it work.
I've paid: $50, $100, $150, $250 for dressess (that's not including shoes).
The only dress I've worn again was the $50 (it was on off the rack dress from Macy's).
I've also had a bride pay for half the cost of the dress - which was a really nice thing (especially since it was during my senior year of college).
My dresses were $100 from JCrew (love their clearance!) and I was hoping that they would go that low because I would never make my BM's spend more than $150. My cousin got married in Septemberand his FI had us buy $230 dresses and mine needed hemmed and the bust needed taken in. Altogether it was $325 and I'll be honest, I was ticked. It's an ugly style and a color I never wear now will I again (like DB's apple). So I voted yes, that is too much. But ultimately it is your wedding!
I think that is pretty expensive. In our circle around $150-$180 is normal. Once you get over the $200 point, I think that is a little much. I would definately ask your bridesmaids if they feel that is a doable amount. Also keep in mind other things they will spend money on if you do get a higher priced dress, maybe let them pick their shoes or keep the shower/bachelorette party low cost.
@JM1217: $95 for alterations?! Holy cow, I would faint if my bridesmaid alterations were that much!
Talk to your bridesmaids and find out how much they feel comfortable spending on a dress. Personally I think thats a lot to spend on a dress that you have little say in and you most likely will only wear once, but I am not everyone.
I've spent $100 on a dress for a wedding (I was in a very tough financial position at the time and had to put it on a parents Credit card). I had my girls choose their own dresses. I gave them a general guideline and let them decide on what they wanted and how much they wanted to spend.
Ahh! This is driving me nuts! My MOH picked out the dress. She's my younger sister. All of the other BM's don't seem to mind, especially because it includes alterations. I also paid $240 for my one BM's dress in one of their weddings because of alterations. The only person that I am worried about is FI's sister. I know she struggles for money, but the bridal place lets you put half down when you order and half down when you get alterations so I figured it would give her time to save. What do you think?
Our BM dresses ran between 100-150. So alterations included might be a deal... or it might be a wash if nothing's needed. I guess I'd need to be the BM looking at the situation to decide.
@Ms Bookworm: I was about ready to strangle everyone in the damn wedding salon, including and most especially the bride! I didn't give them as much money as I had wanted to for the wedding...the dress ate most of it up and because she didn't seem to mind that I was flat broke because of this, I didn't feel bad about it.
It all depends. In my circle of friends, 220 isn't considered outrageous for a BM dress (expensive, yes, but not unreasonable - especially if it includes alterations!). However, that might be a lot for other people, depending on their financial situation. If you are only worried about your FI sister, could you ask her what she is comfortable spending and then cover the difference if she says something that is less than 220?
Would you post a pic of the dress? Or provide a description?? If its short- I don't find it to be reasonable. If its long and awesome- I'd be ok with it
My BM dresses are about $220, including alterations. I had already picked out the designer (Bill Levkoff), fabric (chiffon) and color (chocolate), and let them choose any short style. I didn't know how much they were ($180 before alterations) until the girls were ready to order them.
I felt kind of bad, then remembered that my SIL had us wear $200 floor-length red satin dresses for her wedding. You do what the bride wants, because it's her wedding. When you get married it's your turn to pick!
I've seen other brides on here with more expensive dresses offer to help out if their is a BM that can't cover the costs. If their is only one BM that can't cover the cost I would talk to her (alone) and find out how much is reasonable to cover. If you can help her cover the rest of the cost you could use it as her bm's gift. If you do this I would keep it between you and your FSIL.
For the weddings I've been in I've never paid over $100. I know that's on the VERY low end but I'd be pissed if the dress cost $220.
I don't think $220 is horrible, particularly since it includes alterations.
I gave a color, length, & fabric. I also gave them 10 month's notice to get their dresses. My BM's spent anywhere from $85-$215 plus the cost of alterations.
Ok this is the dress. It is an impressions 1769 in satin. The color will be aubergine (like a plum color). 
Side note: I've called 4 other bridal stores in the area and they all want $200 for the dress without alterations. The $220 with alterations is the best deal I have found.
@shannonh32: I don't think 220 is bad at all. My BM dresses are long, and they will be about that much, not including alterations. :( It is more than I would want them to spend, but longer dresses are more expensive than shorter dresses.
I've been a BM 3 times, and my dresses were around 200, 220, and 100.
It totally depends on the individuals, so your best bet is to ask them and see how comfortable with it they are in a financial sense. I didn't read all the responses, so I'm sure others said the same thing. As for me, I wanted it to be under $100 each so they don't spend too much on a dress they'll never wear again, and they ended up being around $110-120, but my bridesmaids told me they were completely fine with that amount before I settled on anything. There was no way I was going to pick anything before finding out what they were comfortable paying first.
I've never paid less than 180 for a dress. I really think that when I agree to be a bridesmaid, I expect there to be a sizeable cost involved, and I wouldn't agree to be a bridesmaid if I was in a position where I couldn't afford to pay 200 for a bridesmaid dress.
That being said, the bridesmaids for my wedding are wearing BHLDN dresses that were 200. Before I ordered, I asked each of the bridesmaids if they would feel comfortable paying that much. If anyone would've been uncomfortable, we would've kept looking. Maybe you can ask your bridesmaids what they think of the cost?
BTW, these are the dresses we went with.
I agree with the PPs who said you should check with your bridemaids. Check them one-on-one. Do not mention the price of the dress. Ask them what they are comfortable spending. Everyone knows that bridesmaids dresses can get pricey, but for me $220 is way too much, with or without alterations.
I guess I will just ask them then decide. I mean even the dresses at David's Bridal are $160 and after alterations you will be over $200. I thought it was a decent deal since the other places told me that alterations can run anywhere from $40 - $100
@shannonh32: If you get DB dresses, don't have them altered there. You'd be better off going to an independant seamstress. I'm sure I've seen similar dresses from DB/Alfred Angelo. I'd ask your girls how much they're willing to spend, compare colors, compare fit and quality. $220 with alterations isnt terrible for a long dress- its still not my prefered range though.
@jpalm13: I'm staying away from DB. I had a horrible experience there looking at the BM dresses. I was just using it simply for comparison purposes.
My BM got her dress for David's bridal, she tried it in red in a size 4 and it fit AMAZING. So we order the 4 in wisteria and when she gets it, the dress is too big in the boobs. The people at DB seemed glad and wanted to know how they could assist with alterations of course. I am pretty sure they do that on purpose so you have to pay additional. LUCKILY, her mom is awesome with sewing and can do it for free... I got my wedding dress from DB and it's awesome, love it, can't wait to wear it!
Best wishes!
I think it's a reasonable price for a BM dress, but can't stand how expensive BM dresses can be!! :P That is all.
I think $220 is totally reasonable....
My bridesmaids are choosing their styles so they will dictate their own price.....and we are going to David's Bridal since a store is opening near my out of province BM......
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What is a good price for a bridesmaid dress? The one I want my BM's to get is $220 but that includes any and all alterations. Is that too expensive? What prices have you paid / make your BM's pay?