- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Okay so I'm thinking about changing my dress that I chose for the bridesmaid. The color is wayyyyyy brighter than I thought and now I want to change. I started looking for another dress and I found one, so my eyes and heart was set on this particular one. I didn't think to see how much it cost , so for days I was showing my fiance and matron of honor. They al loved it. Then I realized I didn't check the price, so when I did...$270.00 is the price tag. Do you think this is too much? Just interested in knowing what the public thought. I've paid almost $300 for a dress in my friend's weding before and didn't have an issue, because that's what look she wanted, but everybody isn't like me, so what do you think?
I would be taken aback if a friend asked me to pay 270$ for a bridesmaid's dress. Personnally I would not want to ask my girls to pay over 150$ maximum. However, what a normal price range is for you will be dictated by where you live, how old you are, your profesionnal status...You know the circumstances and people involved best. But if you are asking it is probably because deep down you feel it's too expensive and are hoping the bees will reassure you. I would keep looking.
Personally, I think it's too much. However, everyone is different and I think it really depends on what your friends expect. Is there anyway that you can help pay for part of it? If they aren't comfortable with paying that amount, is there another style that similar but cheaper? Oh, and can we see pictures :) ?
Wow. To me, YES, that is way too much money. None of my friends would have ever forked up that much money for a dress, either. We all have this understanding that we don't pick out dresses more than $150 though.
It depends on your friends, though, and their job, etc. Half my girls were still in college, which was a big factor. I'm an engineer and I do fairly well salary wise, and even I would gag a little on a $300 dress. I'd still do it, but boy would that come out of a gift fund or something else. I just don't have $1000 allotted for every wedding I'm in. I love my friends, but I just make it appear out of nowhere!
Why don't you email them and find out what they're all comfortable spending, range-wise? I had a bride do that with me once and I really appreciated it. If they say $200, and you still really awnt the dresses, offset it with the $70 as a gift or something if they're that improtant to you. I think making sure your friends are ok or not ok with it is really key though.
And we can all help you find nice substitutes =]
Unfortunately, I too believe that is too much money for a dress they most likely will wear only once but as the other ladies said it all depends on your friends and their money situation.
I say do what ejs had suggested, speak with the ladies and see what they can afford. This will help you better with the answer you have been looking for.
I think it depends on your group of friends. For my wedding, my girls dresses were about $150. When I was in my MOH's wedding, our dresses were $300 plus alterations. I think you should ask the girls how they feel. If your friends are well off, then it probably won't be an issue, but if not, then you may want to consider something less expensive.
NishP27-
Personally, I do think it is a bit pricey. I'm attempting to keep the dresses for my bridesmaids at $150 or below and I still think that's a lot to ask and here's why.
All of my hip chicks have to travel to get to my wedding. Two will be flying and one driving. That's an expense. Then there's the hotel cost. On top of that, they have to get shoes to match the dress, jewelry (if you don't supply it), if you want them to get their hair done/makeup (if you don't supply that).
THEN, there's the shower, the bachelorette, and wedding gift which I also feel shouldn't be required as it's their gift to be IN your wedding.
Just some food for thought. Try your best to keep it low...especially in this economy. Let me know what you decide to do. What color do you want them to be?
if your heart is set on it, why don't you ask them to contribute $150 and you'll pay the remaining $120?
$150 seems to be the acceptable amount to ask to be spent. I'm not sure, its not usual for us to ask BM's to pay for their dresses over here. we pay for them.
I think anything over $200 is too much. So, if you really like it... offer it to them and get some feed back. If they feel its out of their price range, then perhaps consider covering some of the cost.
Sorry, but I also think it's too much.
I paid $210 for a BM dress a few years ago and thought it was WAY too much. I actually really liked the dress but seriously, when will I need a floor lenght strapless ball gown again? I never complained to the bride or anything but it was a lot to pay for a dress I'd wear once.
I think everyone's fiancial situations are different, so only you (and your friends) know if they'd actually be comfortable with that amount. Personally, I wouldn't be happy about spending that much on a dress I know I wouldn't wear again. (However, FWIW, as a BM, I would probably just suck it up and pay it). I also wouldn't want to ask my BM to spend that much, if I could help it.
I like Beagle's suggestion that if you really have your heart set on this dress, maybe you could try to pay a portion of the cost? What was the price of the original dress you chose? If that was, say $150, then you could offer to split the difference and pay the addition $120? Just a thought.
yes, too much. I say either scrap the dress and find a new one, or pay (at least) half of the cost yourself..
I agree that sounds like too much to me. I wouldn't spend that much on a dress for myself (for a wedding, benefit, etc.) so I wouldn't expect my BMs to spend that to maybe only wear once. Also, they may need alterations on top of the dress cost, so you should take that into consideration as well.
Okay, yes I do feel it's kinda up there when the first dress was only $130.00. I didn't think the dress would be that expensive. Oh well back to the drawing board...here's the pics of both dress. The old dress is the fuschia one, beautiful color on the screen, but in person dress is too bright...
New_B-Dress.jpg (33 KB, 61 downloads) 2 years old bridesmaid_dress.jpg (24.5 KB, 66 downloads) 2 years old 
I love the 2nd dress. Maybe you could held defray the cost a little. B/c keep in mind that they will have alterations to pay for also. Just a little thing to thing about ... this dress will probably only be flattering on your size 6 bridesmaids.
I don't think it's outrageous, although I have inflated NYC prices in mind. Maybe you could offer to help pay for some of it for bridesmaids who want to take you up on the offer?
I would definitely talk to your BMs before totally trashing your desire for this dress. I would just explain that you are searching for a different dress because the fushia is too bright in person, and you were just wondering what their budgets were. That way, even if the new dress you found IS out of their price range, at least you will know where they stand (which will help you find another dress)!
That fuschia dress is hot! I almost went with that same dress but different color - the style of the dress is unbelieveably flattering on everyone.
I do think that it is too much to ask your girls to pay, though. I felt terrible when the prices of the dresses I had everyone order total $209 (tax and shipping).
Is that 2nd one Jim Heljm (sp?)? His dresses are fantastic, too! But so expensive - damn you Jim!! :)
How many bridesmaids do you have? Are you ordering the dress at the same location as your wedding dress? Sometimes bridal shops offer discounts depending on the size of your bridal party. That could help defray the costs.
Or you can try to buy the fabric you want and have dressmaker recreate the dress.
It seems pretty high to me, but like other suggested, can you chip in for a portion if you really love it? I know that can really add up. Maybe see if there are any out there that you all love but is more in people's price range (if this one is not). I would just straight up ask them, and say I wanted to see if this is too much for everyone, please be honest!
I love the first dress! I think $270 is too much for a dress they will never wear again, unless they are all pretty well off. I know I couldn't ask my bridesmaids to pay that much for a dress - they wouldn't be able to afford it. I know I would not be able to! You can find gorgeous dresses for much cheaper!
I agree with it depends on your life, profession, and things of that nature. Im a college grad that can't find a job so I would have to say no to a wedding where the dress starts at $270. I would feel awful but I couldn't afford it plus other things.
Maybe take the picture into a few bridal salons and say THIS is the look I want and see what they have? Good luck! I love Jim Heljm dresses too!
I must agree that $270 seems a bit much for your BMS to pay. But like others have mentioned, this all depends with situations with your BMS as well.
Perhaps if the $$ is the issue here, you can meet your BMS half way with them if you REALLY want them to wear that dress?
does the fushia dress come in any other colours? i love the elegance of that one much more then the blue one.
The second dress is sooo pretty. It doesn't cream bridesmaid so if your girls attend formal evening functions they will be able to wear it again. I would definitely ask them - explain that you love the dress but know it is very expensive, and ask them if you should keep looking. If I were a bridesmaid I would be willing to buy that dress because I love it!
Edit: After closer inspection of the photo, it is really the satin sash that "makes" the dress. Otherwise it is a very common shape. I bet you could find a similar style of dress for cheaper and just make the sashes or have them made by a seamstress. They are beautiful and it would be an easy project.
I think I would talk with the bridemaids and get a feel of what they think on the price. Have you had any of them try it on yet? You may not like it on them.
I personally think $270 is too much for most people considering they only wear it once.
I like the first one.
Frankly, the second one is pretty, but the blue one is too bridesmaidy. When would you ever wear that again? I doubt I would. I don't mind spending money if i can wear stuff again, but i hate the "only one time" thing.
Can you have it made for cheaper? Or buy a similair v-shaped dress and make the sashes and put them on? Sashes are cake to make by the way.
Okay... Mori Lee and Jim Hjelm gowns? It seems you and I share a similar taste! Have you checked out Impression Bridal? You may find some reasonable dresses you like there. IDK about colors...
As others have said, I really think it depends on your bridesmaids' situations and also their expectations. I involved my bridesmaids in the entire process from the beginning and I looked at everything from David's Bridal to high end boutiques. In the end, my friends (who range from grad students to professionals) felt that if they were going to be spending money either way, they at least wanted it to be on something that they liked. We ultimately picked dresses that are $270-330 and I was more concerned about the price than they were! A lot of them think they can/will wear the dresses again. While I'd love for that to be the case - I'm eager to see how that eventually plays out.... ;)
I think the fair thing is to give them a diverse selection and see what their feelings on the matter are. Make their involvement fun. I went with my girls in groups (some were from out of town so I had to work around their travel schedules) and gave them pink pens and little charts so they could make notes on each dress. We got cocktails afterward and shared thoughts about each of the stores and the dresses they tried on. This way they could see the dresses in person. If you involve them they can share their thoughts with you on each of the options throughout the day. I think after spending time with them and involving them in the process like this, you'll have a sense of what the right thing to do for YOUR friends is. Have fun and good luck!
I would pay the additional $70 for each bridesmaid...it is a little high-$250 is the most I've paid.
Just to let you know one of my friends was in a wedding with that second dress, same color material etc etc and it was really awful, it got stained with the smallest bit of water condensation. It was super uncomfortable. And its def not rewearable. With that said you may want to think of another dress. Just trying to let you know from someone who has been in that bridesmaid's shoes! I think you can have you BMs spend $270 on a dress if you think they are all in the financial place to do it and especially if you make the dress something they like and would potentially re-wear. GL!
it depends on where your BMs are in life / what they can afford financially but my initial reaction is that it's a little much. remember, they'll have to pay for alterations too and are likely not to wear it again (if they do, it's a bonus, best not to assume). try to think of it as an all-in expense - how much would they spend between dress, shoes, showers, travel, gifts, etc.
I really like that 2nd dress, but I would take what Lovespearls says above.
I also think the price tag is a bit much. I had also been looking at some dresses that were over $200 and when I mentioned it to my BMs, they all said that "wasn't bad" and were willing to pay that, but I could not with a clear conscious ask them to pay that much and then shoes on top of that.
Personally I would say yes $270 is WAY to much for a bridesmaid dress, I felt bad asking one of mine to pay $180 (which was the highest of the four, they are all wearing different dresses). But you also have to take into consideration many other factors on the mater; what kind of wedding is it? Is it very formal? If so I think they should expect it. Also think of your maids financial situation! If they aren't in the position to put out that kind of money for their dress then don't expect them to, unless you're willing to fork over the money for them! If they all like the dress you can come to some agreement where as they pay for the dress, but you pay for their shoes/purse, etc. And make sure it's a dress that can be used again, no one wants to spend $270 on a dress and only use it once...i mean it's bad enough that once we get married we have to spend crap loads of money on that one special dress and only get to wear it ONCE in our lifetime!
yeah the dress is expensive, so I'll just look for another, I thought about the idea of geting the plain dress in the color and get that big sash made, being that's really what makes the dress...Thanks Lovespearls for that info, very helpful! Yes MandaLee I love the looks of these designers...but I didn't realize that Jim Hjelm was so expensive, basically all of his dresses are $200.00 and up. Thanks Bees for the sobering comments, you know how you're on a cloud in lala land, and then reality hits, and you come to yourself again. I wouldn't won't to ask them to pay double the amount for a dress their going to wear one time.
My main color of the wedding is Fushcia. More towards that darker fuschia color, the color on the picture is perfect, but of course in person it was too bright, so if you bees come across a dress that color shoot me an email!
Is there any way to get the dresses at a discount, like ordering from the salon where you purchased your dress (we saved $50 per girl doing that) or from Pearl's Place?
I think if makes you hesitate, it probably is. Like others have said - you know what your friend's income(s) are. It would be great if you could help offset the costs - esp. if you've had any conversation with them about costs involved. I tend to expect to pay anywhere from 100-300 on the dress AND alterations. The 270 price tag leaves little room for alteration costs. Add shoes, hair, etc... and it's starting to add up fast!
I say put it to them and ask them to be REALLY honest with you before you amke any decisions. Most of my maids were willing to spend some dough. If you have some that are reluctant, you can either pay part of it for them or pay for other parts of their attire. I bought all of my girls shoes and we'll be getting ready at my house so no hotel fees. Not bad considering you will probably pay for their bouquets, transportation, meals, etc...
Dessy has some nice ones- a color called tuttifrutti- silk shantung. I bought my MOH dresses in that color for $234. Also, I went through RK Bridal which is a legit and registered discount seller of brand name wedding attire- sells for cheaper than most bridal shops.
Hey thats funny...I'm wearing that Mori Lee dress for my best friend's wedding in Feb. I thought that the price tag was great! I'm also getting married next year, and I would freak out if she asked me to buy a dress that was $270. Sorry...but that Jim Hjelm dress is pretty too, my wedding dress is Jim Hjelm and I paid a lot for the dress!
You should ask your girls what their willing to pay or even ask them to search for dresses in the color scheme, after all they are the ones wearing it.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| Lyndzo | 52 |
| Brielle | 41 |
| mypinkshoes | 34 |
| his chippymunk | 32 |
| Cady | 32 |
| fivemonthsnotice | 32 |
| TheLionQueen | 31 |
| AshleyR83 | 30 |
| This Time Round | 29 |
| ndreighton | 27 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| Lyndzo | 12 |
| janetsnakehole | 10 |
| lioness_89 | 7 |
| pengoala | 6 |
| countrygirl62312 | 6 |
| Jenlon | 5 |
| TheLionQueen | 5 |
 NoaMarijn |
5 |
| kat2014 | 5 |
| vreelans | 5 |
