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I don't think the price of your dress should matter when picking out bridesmaid dresses. You got a good deal on the wedding dress, but that doesn't dictate how much you spend on bridesmaid dresses. However, if the girls are paying for the dresses themselves, just keep in mind what they can likely afford (maybe a $500 BM dress wouldn't be the best option).
I really don't think you'll be outshined on your wedding day, no matter what BM dresses you pick :-)
Well, I would recommend that you not tell your BM's the cost of your dress (hopefuly you haven't yet!) Assuming that you have, I don't know that I would be bothered by it, as long as my dress was a resonable pirce (ie: 100-150). You can find many bridesmaid dresses for less than that. There are even girls who find their BM dresses at forvever 21, or the gap! I think a lot of it depends on the formality of your wedding.
EDIT: Have you considered a bridal sash? I just love them, there are all different variations and it might flatter your dress and add something extra special.
It totaly doesn't matter how much their dresses cost. Of course, like Eva said, it they are wayyy more expensive than your dress that would be a bit weird, but if they are int he same price range I think that is totally acceptable and appropriate. And, honestly, no one outshines the bride. you are the only one in white, the only one getting married, the only one glowing from head to toe and having others take care of you, and maybe the only one in a long dress. Don't stress that part at all! AND, there is a big difference between simple and boring. Your dress is simple, not boring. Put the maids in something with a similiar feel!
Ok I'll give you my perspective from the other end. My sister got married and her dress was $200, no alterations needed. The bridesmaid's dresses she picked were $200 plus $70 in alterations. I was upset that my dress cost more than hers :/
BUT a lot of it was me being in college and not having a lot of money (on top of flying to her wedding, hotel, hair, nails, etc.). I think as long as you consider your girls' financial situation then the price shouldn't matter :)
I agree with the above! Unless they are wearing white and will have that same beautiful glow as you, you will not be outshone! As for the cost, just keep it reasonable, and no one else needs to know what you paid (although I would want to boast about my good deal too :) )
The only thing you should have to consider about the cost of the BMs dresses is whether or not they have the cash to be able to pay for them - i.e. if they're starving college students, don't pick out $300 BM dresses. :)
Your concern about their dresses outshining yours is legitimate. Thankfully, they make a lot of really plain BM dresses to choose from, and the plainer they are, the less they cost. Consider that after you do up your hair, add jewelry, and don your veil, you'll stand out from your bridesmaids no matter what style of dress they have.
@VirginiaMarie: I am absolutely considering a sash! The photos you posted are great--the sashes don't stray too far from the white/ivory, but they add a bit of extra ka-pow. Love them! Thanks!
@babyboo: Well, if it helps, I'm not going to ask them to do hair, nails, makeup, or any of that. One of them is my 16-year-old sister, and I have a hunch our parents will pay for hers, so it's really just the MOH (who has friends in town and won't have to pay for a hotel) and one other bridesmaid, who will probably have to pay for a hotel.
Also, I may have let the cat out of the bag to my MOH regarding the price of my dress... this was before I started looking for bridesmaid dresses! Oops!
First I agree that your bms don't need to know how much you paid for the dress but if they already do, they should understand that you found the dress you love at a decent price. Also don't worry about them outshining you, as the bride you will look beautiful no matter what! I only paid 249 for my dress and it is also very simple but beautiful. I was able to find some bridesmaids dresses at Davids Bridal that were simple as well but still elegant and my bms love them. They are $155 and by the time my girls buy their shoes and pay for their alterations they won't be too far away from what I paid for my dress. But honestly, you're the bride and what you pd for your dress shouldn't matter and it is not really their business. Just like it's not anybody's business how much you pd for your wedding or who paid for what. Just relax, find a dress you like for them and everything will be just fine. You'll see. Here's a picture of my bridesmaids dress just so you have an idea and that particular dress comes in 40 different colors! I would just go and ask for catalogs from all the bridal stores and sit down and look through them all and see if you can find one that suits your needs!
bridesmaidsdress.jpg (10.1 KB, 33 downloads) 2 years old 
i don't think i'd care how much my dress was in comparison to the brides... as long as it wasn't crazy expensive! i'd be happy that the bride got a good deal.
I agree with not telling the the BMs how much your dress costs. It's not really their business.
I think it would be hard to definitely keep my dress cost from my BMs. Half of them went shopping with me anyway. But I think it's irrelevant. My plan is for BM dresses to cost less than $150 before alterations...that's what I feel is reasonable for my girls. I think you should just consider the price that's most reasonable considering their situations and search from there...
Just pick reasonably priced bridesmaid dresses and you'll be fine! What you paid for your gown is just insanely cheap; finding something UNDER that may be really tough! But JCrew does offer student discounts (20%) so maybe you could find their BM dress their and go with a casual laid back vibe.
Nobody'll outshine you, but I do think bridesmaid dresses should be "less dressy" than the brides' dress in general. Either shorter, more casual, less expensive material, less sparkle, you know.
I think any J.Crew BM dress would be really appropriate with your dress, and I think they're all in the "reasonable" price bracket. No one should really KNOW how much your dress costs!
I would just pick a BM dress that was shorter than yours, tea lenght or to the knee. If it helps (I've posted this before), these are my BM dresses and they're only $52.99:
http://www.gojane.com/12048-formals-classic-a-line-formal.html
i dont think its anyone's business what you paid for your dress. Nobody will know unless you tell them right? Just think of your dress as being the original price, not the insanely great deal you got. I would definitely suggest having the girls where something short.
I agree with Ducks - I was going to say that a shorter length will make your gown immediately look that much fancier. If the BMs wear bright colors (as opposed to pastels, grays, etc), the white will really pop! Add some bling and you will be a knockout, standout, glowing bride!
I think that your dress is beautiful and simple and when you put on your hair and make up and veil you will definitely be the bride. They can wear simple knee length silk or taffeta gowns from Nordstrom for under $75.
I think that your dress is beautiful and simple and when you put on your hair and make up and veil you will definitely be the bride. They can wear simple knee length silk or taffeta gowns from Nordstrom for under $75.
Totally agree with @socalbride86 there are plenty of options under $175 that will look simple and gorgeous. PS I LOVE your dress. I almost got it myself :)
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My dress cost $187 (J.Crew, originally $325, on sale for $250, used 30% off coupon), and I couldn't be happier about it... except for the fact that now it feels like I don't have many options for bridesmaid dresses, because so many of them cost nearly as much as (or more than) my dress!
Additionally--and this may just be a silly concern of mine--I feel like my dress is so simple that my ladies will outshine me in anything but the boring-est of dresses. Don't get me wrong; I adore the simple elegance of the dress I chose, and I want my beautiful bridesmaids to look fantastic, but I don't want to fade into the background, either!
I thought I'd turn to the hive for opinions on this one. If you were a bridesmaid, would you be upset knowing that you were paying about as much for your dress as the bride paid for hers?
Just for reference, this is the dress I'll be wearing, and the model is almost exactly my size, shape and coloring.
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