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I would go department store shopping, or even an outlet mall at a store like Gap for a bunch of dresses on the cheap, that likely won't need alterations.
Or you could go the mismatched dress route and pick a neutral color of a dress your bridesmaids could find cheaply, or already own (black is the classic option, but I've seen peach, yellow and gray as well)
I think the key is to keep looking and try not to be too picky about your choices.
Maybe suggest you all go look for tasteful dresses together at department stores?
I think that it's awfully rude that they have known for 7 months and haven't put any money away for the dress.I let all of my BM's know when the wedding was so they could save, and hopefully they do!
I bought my bridesmaid dresses from Target.com. They carry up to size 18 in the Merona line. I'm really happy with the dresses we got. And, Target offers free in-store returns, so if you order them and don't like them when you get them, you can just take them back to the store. And you could order a couple sizes if you're worried about what size to get someone and return the one that doesn't fit.
My bridesmaid dresses were on sale for $29.99 with free shipping, so we got a great deal! Here they are:
i agree with latte love...depends on your colors, as well.
we did our dresses with gojane.com, they're cute and affordable but don't look cheap...
long dresses like: http://www.gojane.com/23907-formals-bow-a-line-formal.html
tea length: http://www.gojane.com/17421-formals-sweetheart-a-line-tea-length-formal.html
http://www.gojane.com/19149-formals-a-line-halter-tea-length-dress.html
short: http://www.gojane.com/14359-formals-strapless-gathered-waist-formal.html
free shipping on orders over $50 and everyone complimented us on our BM dresses:
(we used this one http://www.gojane.com/19659-formals-glitter-chiffon-sweetheart-formal.html in gold)
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I actually just posted about this a few minutes ago!
We're on a tight budget, and my bridesmaids can't afford to buy fancy dresses. SO, because we are fortunate enough to be planning a casual late summer wedding, we're going with convertible dresses. I'm actually hand-making them. It's quite easy - using cotton jersey and sewing 3 straight seams, I can make 4 custom dresses for $200 total using premium bamboo cotton jersey. (You can get that dollar ammount down by using cheaper jersey, or shopping locally with coupons. I'm ordering mine online and am paying a bit more for shipping and higher quality jersey)
This way, since my bridesmaids are all different shapes, they can wrap and twist their dress into something that makes them feel comfortable without sacrificing coordination. (These look GREAT on plus size girls too!) You can make sleeves, a halter top, strapless, or your own twisted creation! You can make the skirt longer or shorter, and make the straps thicker or thinner. Theres a million YouTube videos of how to tie these up. My girls and I are going to watch them together and do some practicing before the big day! Oh, and cotton jersey is quite forgiving, so exact sizes won't matter. It's kind of a one size fits most, and can be altered accordingly.
I made one practice one, and got the pattern figured out. It's quite easy - only took me about 30mins to cut and sew one! I used this blog for guidance -http://rowena.typepad.com/rostitchery/infinity-dress.html
Here's a retail designier - $200+ each for their dresses! WOW! http://www.shopbutterbynadia.com/index.php?main_page=categories_product&cPath=2&zenid=c71c9549f726a0bc87507be3352b7bb0
I was going to suggest Target - but sunnydebs beat me to it!
Have you checked out Wetseal? Or H&M?
@PeacockBride - can I officially name you my hero? I was so sold on the Twobirdsbridesmaid dresses. Until now. I will just make them. That is pretty much the same dress! Thank you thank you thank you!!
Hahaha! YES - my goal is to spread the cash saving love! They're so freakin easy I don't know why more people aren't doing this! 
@Soon2beeMrsM - Don't even get me started on the lack of respect my two bridesmaids are displaying! They are my cousins and have been my best friends since we were kids and I should have seen this coming. I wish you better luck!!
My colors are out the door because of this! I can figure out the colors when we get dresses for the girls. I was wishing for the same dress but I can get past that I am sure.
@Sunny- Did the dresses run big or true to size? I checked into Target but we need a size 20-22.
Gojane.com has some good options but sizing might be an issue.
I have thought about making simple dresses but I have never used a sewing machine.
@Peacockbride - seriously! I fell in love with the dresses at twobirdsbridesmaid. But, uh, hello? This is so much better! Do you think any other fabrics would work just as well? I'm going to have to play around!
@ChampagneWishes - if you don't have a sewing machine, and no friends or family do either - Walmart has a very forgiving return policy - sewing a few of these dresses will by no means put any wear on a sewing machine - go buy a cheap one and return it when your done! Hehehe - I know I'm not the only one out there that's done something like that! But either way - good luck in your search no matter what way you choose to go!
@alishaneva - Anything somewhat stretchy will work. I've seen a million variations of these done! I like jersey because you don't have to edge it or be too specific with the measurements and it's cheaper than some other stretchy fabrics. Oh - and it's reversable (looks good on either side) so you have to think about that when making these. Try it - it's quite rewarding to create something so quickly and easiliy that rivals $300+ dresses!
My BMs wore braja dresses, which are rayon India-made dresses. Cost about $35 dollars each. I will try to load a few pics. Holy Clothing carries these and they come in a variety of colors.
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@ champagnewishes, the dress I ordered ran a little big (the girls all complained they fit well in the hips but too large in the bust). If you read through the reviews of other dresses, it seems the Merona line runs a little large in general. So it's possible the 18 may fit the bridesmaid who's usually a 20-22. Besides, with free shipping and returns, you really don't have anything to lose. You could order the dresses and try them when they come in a couple weeks, and return if it doesn't fit. It's not like a bridal shop where you have to wait 5 months.
I saw some really cute dresses at the Saks 5th Avenue outlet, but two of my BMs got their dresses from Ann Taylor on Cyber Monday, when everything was 40% off. The last BM, my closest girlfriend, probably doesn't fit in Ann Taylor sizes, so I'm not sure what to do with her. Luckily, she's the most loaded of the BMs.
Def hit up dept stores and see what's on sale. Sign up for the newsletter and coupons too. Lord & Taylor is really annoying with coupons and mailers but sometimes I get awesome savings on great stuff.
Also, I'm a HUGE fan of Dress Barn. My friends make fun of me but don't knock it till you see it ladies - I've got a bunch of dresses from there that I get compliments on every.single. time. I wear them. They usually have a pretty good selection of dresses around this time of year too with NYE coming up. They also have larger sizes and I think they go up to 2 or 3X.
Last year I wanted the new Calvin Klein dress so bad but it was over $200. I bought a look alike in Dress Barn for $60! This is the one I'm talking about:
I picked out dresses for JC Penny, they were affordable ($60,) comfy & the girls loved them. I also had a plus size BM (which DOES make finding affordable dresses more tricky, but this dress was stretchy so she was able to fit comfortably in the size 16.
What we did to find a good balance is to look frequently at JC Penny, Kohls, Dillards, & Macys. Although dresses arn't "BM" dresses, many casual dresses look just the same as the BM dresses you'll find in bridal stores.
Here is the dress & then on my girls!
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@ProudPeacock - I admit it, I have tucked a tag or two so I could return it later! Not a bad idea. They do look easy to make.
@AnnieAAA- I love those! They worked perfectly. I check JCP, Macy's, Bloomingdales and Dillard often.
@Dancy- OMG I love Dress Barn and I hadn't thought about looking there.
Do I dare say something to my BMs about their irresponsibility? I want to but it could start another fire, which I don't feel like dealing with.
Just a thought, but do they all have dresses in their own closet that they could wear? Maybe you could pick a length and color and they could come up with something? Perhaps even borrow a dress from someone? Otherwise, I second the outlets and/or searching online. :) I'm sure it'll work out in due time. Hope the other wedding plans are going well!
Forever 21 has very cute dresses, in a wide range of styles/colors. They are very affordable - I bought a cocktail dress for a dinner party for around $20.
try modcloth.com
or search through polyvore. You can search by color and price
I know how hard it can be trying to find an inexpensive dress that includeds sized for all of your girls! One of my bridesmaids is a size 28, and I found we really had to go through a bridesmaid dress designer becasue they carry the larger sizes. I have to forget Macys, Nordstroms, Target and most online stores. However, I wanted to to totally accomodate her so she would feel comfortable too. I didn't want to leave any of my loves out of it!
With that being said... cheap and bigger sizes... not easy to find at all! I ended up with this dessy dress for $130 plus free shipping. The dress is from the After Six line, and they have SO many colors to pick from. If you find one by a designer, I would recommend e-mailing some of their authorized retailers to price shop. That is what I did. Locally, I could have ordered the dress for almost $200. That wasn't going to happen!
Good luck! Oh, and dessy has an even cheaper line - Alfred Sung but that line doesn't have many color choices.
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@ ProudPeacockBride- have you completed your project? Can you post a picture of the final product, I'd love to seem them!! I would like to do something similar for my girls!
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Hey Hive,
I have three girls in my wedding party. They have known about being in my wedding and when the wedding is for 7 months. My sister is the only one who has saved money for her dress. The other two have saved nothing and can't afford dresses so they keep putting it off.
We are 6 months to wedding day and we still do not have dresses for them. I would help but I have been unemployed for 5 months myself.
Any ideas on where to find cheap dresses? Also, two girls are plus sized which is making this hard.
Any help is SO appreciated!