Cheap Mix n Match Bridesmaids Dresses??

[BillysBride]

OK, so I'm feeling guilty about having my "girls" take on so much expense between their attire and the trip. Not to mention, I figure I'll have less worry of someone "bailing" over finances if I downscale this some how.

 

I had picked a mix and match set from Eden Bridals, but I'm still waiting for the call back from the shop to see how much. I'm nervous its going to be too expensive, so I want some stand by dresses. My maids run from a size 2 to a size 24, so you know the issue of comfort comes into play.

 

Anyone find a site, or store that has a good selection at a great price?

[Jenn08]

Try David's Bridal. They have a website online where you can look at all the dresses and they have a whole bunch of different styles in the same colour. My girls got their dresses there and paid only $120 and because they're knee length and fit well they don't even need alterations! I'm happy and I don't feel guilty about the price:)

[rodent]

I think it's great you are trying to keep costs down for you bridesmaids. Here are some of my ideas.

 

Have you thought about picking a color & letting them pick out their own dress? That way they can pick one that fits their budget & also make sure they like it. When you have girls ranging from 2 to 24 the styles they like will be so different. I personally really like the look of everyone in a shade of blue & not so matchy. I think leigh miller just photographed a wedding like that. I thought the BMs looked great. But, it might not be everyone's taste.

 

For a beach wedding, you can also keep their dresses more casual which means less expensive. A lot of girls on the forum wear a long, dressy wedding dress & their girls are in short beach dresses.

 

Also keep alterations in mind when looking at options. A skirt with several layers will cost more to alter. Sometimes off the rack stuff is more likely to fit then the bridesmaid dresses. When i've been in wedding & we bought prom dresses I didn't need to get any alterations done. The bridesmaids dresses almost always need something. It was $50 the last time I had one hemmed because it had 3 layers & a wrap around front.

[beachbride08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan Have you thought about picking a color & letting them pick out their own dress? That way they can pick one that fits their budget & also make sure they like it. When you have girls ranging from 2 to 24 the styles they like will be so different. I personally really like the look of everyone in a shade of blue & not so matchy. I think leigh miller just photographed a wedding like that. I thought the BMs looked great. But, it might not be everyone's taste.

I think this is the route I am going. I am only having two girls stand up, but they are completely different in body shape and height. My colors are pink and green, but I think I want the girls to wear pink dresses of their choice and the guys in tan/khaki pants and a green shirt. I've also tossed around the idea of paying for the girl's dresses since they are going to be spending so much $ on the trip and I only have 2 and my little sister as the flowergirl. This could be another option for you if you can afford it.

[rodent]

I can't post the pictures, but these take you to the picture in the slidshow.

 

The blue dresses hanging up

http://www.leighmillerphotography.co...edding#0022jpg

 

girls in the dresses

http://www.leighmillerphotography.co...edding#0036jpg

 

girls in the dresses

http://www.leighmillerphotography.co...edding#0047jpg

 

I thought they looked great.

 

If I had bridesmaids, I was going to let them pick from one of 5 bright colors & then get a dress they like. My friends are all so different in their style and body type. I would want them to look like themselves at the wedding in dresses they would normally wear.

[BillysBride]

Thanks for the feedback ladies. A few suggestions here have struck a chord with me, and I'm going to start re-searching (get it?hahaha) tomorrow.

 

I'm thinking of going casual...or at least less formal. I saw some wedding photos a while back where all the bm's were in different colored Mexican peasant skirts with the tiers. They each had a black tank and the bride had about 8 bm's I believe. It actually looked very pulled together and I know it was ultra cheap.

 

I can see going with those skirts if I can find them...anyone have any suggestions, please let me know.

[-Kate-]

My girls got theirs at cocomyles.com. Good price, you know the colors/fabrics match, and they can pick what looks good on them.

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LALA My girls got theirs at cocomyles.com. Good price, you know the colors/fabrics match, and they can pick what looks good on them.

Thats a cool website. Great option for the mix & match without having to use seperates.

[rodent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillysBride Thanks for the feedback ladies. A few suggestions here have struck a chord with me, and I'm going to start re-searching (get it?hahaha) tomorrow. I'm thinking of going casual...or at least less formal. I saw some wedding photos a while back where all the bm's were in different colored Mexican peasant skirts with the tiers. They each had a black tank and the bride had about 8 bm's I believe. It actually looked very pulled together and I know it was ultra cheap. I can see going with those skirts if I can find them...anyone have any suggestions, please let me know.

Sounds cute. Do you have the picture? Might want to consider letting them wear any style black shirt or pick one with sleeves. You said one of your BMs is a 24. Anytime I've been in a wedding with someone who was plus size they always wanted sleeves. I think it's important to make sure they are comfortable in what they are wearing.

Are these what you are talking about?

[BillysBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan Sounds cute. Do you have the picture? Might want to consider letting them wear any style black shirt or pick one with sleeves. You said one of your BMs is a 24. Anytime I've been in a wedding with someone who was plus size they always wanted sleeves. I think it's important to make sure they are comfortable in what they are wearing. Are these what you are talking about?

Wow! Those are EXACTLY the kind of skirts I'm talking about!! I love the colors there..so rich. I can actually see broadening my colors to include all of those which would make flower selection SO much easier! Where did you find those?

And yes, my plus size bm is definitely wanting sleeves, but being so sweet about it with the classic "Its your wedding, I'll wear whatever you want and be happy" line. That just makes me want to accomodate her even more. If someone was being a witch about it, I'd probably do whatever I wanted, but with her being sweet I just can't. They are coming a long way at a lot of expense just out of friendship, so I want to do whatever I can to make sure they enjoy the entire experience.