One of the joys of planning a wedding is surrounding yourself with your closest friends and family as you celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime moment. For many brides, asking their best friends to be bridesmaids is a sentimental highlight. But when it comes to coordinating outfits for your bridal party, costs can add up fast—especially for the dresses.
Your bridesmaids don’t want to spend a ton of money on dresses they’ll wear only once and that might not even flatter their unique body shape. That’s why part of being a considerate bride is learning to keep bridesmaid dress costs low without sacrificing style for the big day.
Fortunately, this is absolutely doable, and we’re here to help! This guide will walk you through practical and creative ways to limit expenses for your bridal party and still get the picture-perfect aesthetic you’re dreaming of.
1. Set a Budget With Your Bridesmaids
Your bridesmaids are coming to your wedding with different financial situations that you may not be aware of. So before you take the lead on assigning gowns to everyone, talk openly with your bridesmaids about what they’re comfortable spending.
Sure, conversations about money can feel awkward, but asking for this transparency is a nice gesture and makes sure everyone feels considered in this very important way. Make sure to have each discussion privately.
If you want everyone to wear the same gown, base it off of the bridesmaid with the strictest budget. If you’re letting everyone choose their own, then you can instead offer suggestions for designers in a collective budget range.
Whatever you choose to do, just remind yourself of how stressful the financial aspect of weddings can be for the wedding party. Doing your best to make everyone feel comfortable with what they’re spending is a good way to be a great friend.
2. Mix and Match Dress Styles
You might want all your bridesmaids to wear the exact same dress for consistency, but this usually ends up with some of them overspending or wearing gowns they dislike. Fortunately, you can achieve aesthetic cohesiveness in other ways.
The trend of mix-and-match styles is not only chic but also cost-effective. You simply designate a color family or general dress style and let your bridal party choose whatever gowns they want. This way, each bridesmaid can pick a dress that fits your wedding’s theme and their personal budget.
3. Explore a Lot of Brands
You might get overwhelmed if you start browsing for bridesmaid dresses and see price tags of thousands of dollars. But don’t get discouraged from the get-go. Spend your time exploring every designer you can because bridesmaid dresses occupy a wide price range depending on brand, style, fabric, and so forth.
Make your search easier by having a dress style in mind and filtering through designers that make similar gowns. Remember to keep an eye on seasonal sales and discount codes to sweeten the deal even further. And if you’re letting your bridal party choose their dresses, then simply pass these tips along to them!
4. Tap Into Sales and Discounts
We just mentioned sales and discounts, but let’s dig deeper into this great way to keep bridesmaid dress costs low without sacrificing style. Shopping smart can dramatically cut costs. Consider the following helpful tips:
- Keep tabs on annual or seasonal sales from popular bridal companies.
- Summer, Black Friday, and off-peak wedding seasons are great times to score discounts.
- Check for bulk discounts for bridal parties.
- If multiple bridesmaids are ordering the same dress, inquire about group pricing.
If you just can’t seem to find a deal, it doesn’t hurt to ask! You might get access to a special discount simply because you expressed interest in a purchase.
5. Shop Off-the-Rack or Sample Sales
Another savvy way to keep bridesmaid dress expenses low is by exploring off-the-rack options or attending sample sales. Many bridal boutiques and even larger retailers regularly clear out inventory, offering beautiful gowns at dramatically reduced prices. These dresses are high-quality and perfectly suitable for any wedding theme, but they come without the premium costs associated with custom orders.
Encourage your bridesmaids to begin their search early and keep an eye out for sample sales at local bridal shops or pop-up events. Off-the-rack shopping is a win-win strategy since it eliminates long wait times for orders and fittings, which can be a relief if your wedding timeline is tight. Plus, these sales often feature a wide variety of styles, making it easier for your bridal party to find something that suits their body type and complements your wedding’s aesthetic.
If you’re concerned about achieving cohesive looks through this approach, consider sharing a mood board or color swatches with your bridesmaids to provide clear guidance. This tip ensures that even with individually purchased dresses, the group will reflect your vision for the day. By thinking outside the box and taking advantage of these budget-friendly opportunities, your bridal party can look stunning without overspending.
6. DIY the Finishing Touches
Maybe the only dresses you and your bridesmaids can afford are simple ones, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay simple. Your crew can elevate affordable dresses by DIYing the details.
Statement jewelry, elegant sashes, or coordinating hairstyles can all be inexpensive ways to transform a simple, low-cost dress into something wedding-worthy.
Bonus Tips for the Bride
If you plan dresses for your bridesmaids with their budgets in mind, then you shouldn’t run into any financial complaints. That said, being a bridesmaid is still expensive, so you, as the bride, can be a good friend by going the extra mile to further limit costs. Consider these gestures:
- Offer to cover alterations: If your budget allows, consider covering the cost of alterations to ensure the dresses fit your crew perfectly.
- Provide hair and makeup support: If you’re asking for specific beauty looks for your bridesmaids, shoulder some of the cost by hiring a hairstylist or makeup artist to deliver coordinated, professional results on your big day.
- Gift their dresses as a thank-you: For smaller bridal parties, gifting their dresses as a token of gratitude can be a really special, helpful gesture.
Wrapping Up Your Dress Decisions
You don’t have to make your bridal party spend thousands on dresses they’ll wear only on your big day. Instead, use these tips to be respectful of everyone’s finances and retain the aesthetic you’re dreaming of.
And if you need help finding gorgeous gowns for your crew, Alexandra’s Boutique is here for you. Stop by to explore our in-store bridesmaid dresses. Our friendly, knowledgeable stylists will help you narrow down options that fit your wedding’s theme and your bridesmaids’ budgets. Here’s to creating stunning memories with your bridal party, all while keeping costs under control!