Post # 1
Member
54 posts
Worker bee
Hey all,
I was wondering what the average bridesmaid dress costs, what you would be okay with, or what you are getting your bridesmaids to spend. I want nice dresses but I also don’t want to put any financial pressure on my gals. Originaly the dresses we were looking at were around 250-300 but we have found them elsewhere for 150ish which I think is more reasonable. Do you think this is okay? They are long chiffon gowns.
Post # 3
Member
327 posts
Helper bee
my girls dresses were from davids bridal. originally $150 on sale for $130 and my girls got $20 off becuase I ordered my dress from davids bridal as well. I figured that wasn’t too steep. i think the 200-300 is a little ridiculous. maybe that’s just me though.
Post # 4
Member
2608 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: May 2014 - Madison, WI
On average I’ve paid between $150-$200. The last wedding I was in the dress was $150 but we were also required to buy matching boleros for $50 so the total was $200. My bridesmaid dresses are all around $120-$150 (slightly different style for each girl).
I would find it difficult to spend any more than $200 for a Bridesmaid or Best Man dress.
Post # 5
Member
2562 posts
Sugar bee
Ask you girls what their budget is. A reasonable cost is going to be what they feel comfortable spending. For one person, a $300 bridesmaid dress is reasonable, for another person even $100 might be stetching it.
Post # 6
Member
557 posts
Busy bee
I think a “reasonable” budget spends on your bridesmaids. Some circles of friends reasonable is $50, in other circles $3,000 is reasonable. Its all relative to the type of wedding you are throwing and what your friends are comfortable paying. You should ask your girls what they are comfortable spending and going from there.
My bridesmaids are doing mismatched dresses my sister got hers on clearance for $37 it was originally $150, some of my other girls are spending around $300, and others in the $150 range. Mismatched looked seem to work the best for me to fit everyones budget. The gowns are gorgeous and have come from places like Nordstroms, Macy’s and ASOS.
Post # 7
Member
2889 posts
Sugar bee
@peaseblossom: I’m thinkin 150 would be average, but I would definitely try to keep it 100 and lower if it was me (because most people I know never really spend 150 on a dress ; plus, my own wedding dress only cost me 200, I would feel very bad to expect my BMs to pay as much as I did for their dresses). But that’s just me and my particular situation. Since I prefer cocktail dresses instead of long dresses, I would assume it’s possible to find a gorgeous dress for 100$ or less, but I know long dresses are usually more expensive.
Post # 8
Member
81 posts
Worker bee
I’m trying to keep my girls’ dresses under $100, just because I know a lot of people are having a hard time financially, and I don’t want to be a burden if I don’t need to be. 🙂 But I agree with a PP, it all depends on the budget of those in your bridal party!
Post # 9
Member
2889 posts
Sugar bee
Oh, and you need alterations for Bridesmaid or Best Man dresses ? I didn’t think about that. I don’t know what is the custom where you live, but personally I don’t think the BMs should be paying for alterations if they have to purchase the dress. My thinking is that it’s usually the bride who decides which color, which dress she wants her BMs to wear. If she chooses a dress although it doesn’t fit well on her girls, I think it’s her responsability to foot the alteration bills, since the BMs are paying for a dress that they wouldn’t have purchased otherwise (because it didn’t fit correctly).
Post # 10
Member
7650 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
On average I have paid about $175 before alterations. I’m fine paying up to $200 before alterations, beyond that I may ask for a different dress option.
Post # 11
Member
1678 posts
Bumble bee
@peaseblossom: i gave my gals a color and i’m letting them choose their dresses to avoid $ issues. i am also really laid back about the “look” so i’m cool with the variety that this will create and am not concerned about it not being all matchy 🙂
Post # 12
Member
903 posts
Busy bee
I was a bm once, the dress was $270 plus alterations and mandatory shoes and can never be worn again. My girls are paying $170 plus alterations and will likely never be worn again either lol but im letting them wear their own shoes haha it was tough to find affordable options that werent too casual… Alot of the bridesmaids lable dresses are 200-300, which is obsurd for what they are…
Post # 13
Member
1475 posts
Bumble bee
Mine were $190, plus alterations. I let them wear whatever shoes/jewelry they wanted and I paid for their hair and makeup the day of.
Post # 14
Member
54 posts
Worker bee
I don’t think the girls will need alterations, perhaps just hemming. We are doing different dresses that they have picked out within a general style (long chiffon) and colour scheme (pinks/purples/meauves). I wouldn’t want to put anybody in a dress they hated or didn’t work with their body shape and colouring.. especialy if they will be a bit more expensive.
I’m hoping they can be worn again if shortened but that might be just my style and not theirs…
I talked to the girls about the cost and I think most of them were okay with it even at the 250-300 point, but much happier at 150, I am worried about one bridesmaid but I really dont think I can find any long dresses in chiffon for under 100 :/ I was debating asking her if she wanted me to pitch in for it but it didn’t seem fair to the other girls?
Post # 15
Member
4111 posts
Honey bee
I second asking your BM’s for their budget. That’s what I did (we are all older, 35-42) and all of them said $250-275 before alterations. The dress we got was $225.
Post # 16
Member
1225 posts
Bumble bee
Whatever dress you pick, please please plase be generous with your bridesmaids. After shoes, alterations, hair, makeup, travel expenses, shower gift, bachelorette party, and wedding gift, it can all add up. The dress will definitely not be her only expense.