Bridesmaid Dresses?

[CreekAHolic]

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I am totally clueless as to proper etiquette ... should I purchase my Bridesmaid's dresses? Or is that an item that they buy themselves?

Either way, I really hate the thought of them (or possibly me) spending all that money on a dress they will only wear once. Someone gave me the idea of purchasing formal dresses at Kohl's or JC Penney's, which I think is a great idea. Still nice clothes at a fraction of the cost. Would this offend my wedding party, though, if I suggested shopping there instead of at a bridal store?

Thanks for reading and for your responses!
Toni

[nle5]

Proper etiquette will have the bridal party either buy or rent their attire for the wedding. It is ok to suggest that you go to a JcPenny's or other store that has nice attire to pick out their dresses. Just keep in mind that not all stores will have the style or colors that you have choosen for your wedding. Some bridal salons (ie David's Bridal) will have they dresses on sale from time to time and the bridal party could get their dresses for cheap. Look at some of the bigger bridal salons to see what they have. In addition, go to all the bridal shows that you can as you might be able to get the dresses there, of course take your bridal party with you so they can try on the dresses. Some bridal shows even have the bride's dress and accessories for cheap. One bridal show that I am going to this month is having their bride's dresses at 20 - 80% off; as well as giving away a free bride's dress every hour. Good luck in finding what your looking for.

[bjmy1975]

They are suppossed to pay for their own attire. However if you want to do it feel free. You can get dresses from many places other than bridal shops. My MOH got hers from a Chadwicks catalogue. You can get BM dresses online for less a lot of places like houseofbrides.com or bridesave.com. You can get them in malls at sears or jc pennies, marshall fields or younkers, deb or vanity. You can get them where ever you want. Now it's up to yur BMs to find a way to recycle their dress. They accept the useless dress part when they agree to be in the wedding party.

We are paying for all the dresses. They were 140 and we got them for 120. I am doing it because I didn't pay for my dresses in two of the BP members weddings and because I know that two of the girls wouldn't be able to afford the dresses and I really want them in the wedding. You need to work out your own needs/wants and fit them to your budget.

[mgsahhar]

Usually the bridesmaids buy there own dresses however I plan to buy them for my bridesmaids since I am having a small wedding and most of my freinds are not in a situation where they can afford to spend money on a dress they will only wear once. When my best freind got married she picked out the dresses for $30 each at a JCpennys outlet store. She had to have an open mind about the color and work around what she could find but in the end the savings were worth it. She ended up with some beautiful navy blue dresses. I also bought my wedding dress off of e-bay. It looks exactly like the David's bridal dress that I fell in love with. I went to David's bridal and tried it on, then ordered it online. It ***e out even with shipping to half the price of the one at David's bridal and I can't tell the difference. You can do the same thing with bridesmaids dresses. Most of the e-bay companies will give you measurements and allow you to custom order shipments in whatever sizes you need. Mybe it's not good etiquette but I am all for saving as much as possible on my wedding. I have plenty of other places my money needs to go other than on a dress.

[reecey]

I am buying my bridesmaids dresses - for a couple of reasons - because my bridesmaids are scattered to the 4 winds and I don't want them ordering individually and getting different dye lots, and also it will be part of my gift to them. My dresses are actually very inexpensive - I'm still debating between 2 - so they're either 49 or 79 each. I think this is easier since most of my bridal party is from out of town and they'll be paying for accomodations - I was going to pay for those instead of the dresses, but in talking to a couple of my bridesmaids, they work for large hotel chains and can get their employee discounts for themselves and also get a second room at their discount rate, which will cover the entire out of town bridal party - very inexpensively! The guys are renting their own tuxes and my FH is taking them on a golf outing as their gift - plus they're getting a small token at the reception as well. We'll also be paying for the ring bearers and flower girls - their parents are in the wedding and the extra cost is just unnecessary for them - especially when I can budget it in

[CreekAHolic]

Thank you all for your advice and opinions! I am on a rather tight budget, but it's nice to know I have options. I hadn't thought about purchasing the dresses as gifts, but that's a wonderful idea. Thanks so much!

Toni

[Kelly1Mickey]

Anytime i have been in a bridal party, I had to but my own dress. Fortunately, the brides have all chosen dresses, that with some alterations, can be reused. I have one dress that I just altered from floor length to tea-length. Another dress had a seperate skirt and top. The skirt hasn't been used, but the top was a beautiful silver color that is perfect for Christmas and New Years parties when it is paired with black slacks. I am trying to keep that in mind as a search for my girls' dresses.

[armitage]

I am currently in a wedding for May 14, 2005 that I am supposed to be one of the bridesmaids. I was asked way back in December of 2003, at the time I told the bride to be that I would still be in school and no idea of what my schedule would be. Now I have just recently been contacted for the first time by the bride to be and has shown me the dress -- its actually very pretty. When I asked what the cost would be she estimated almost $200 --woooooooow I am in Graduate school and still can not guarantee my presence until the monday before the wedding if that early and I am supposed to shell out $200? I would never wear this dress again.

In my wedding scheduled for either April/May 2006, I have already informed some of the bridesmaids that they will have full choice of what they would like to wear for their outfits on my day as long as it is close to the color I request. I feel this is the best option since they are all of different sizes and builds, they are the ones paying for and wearing it.

I have had great response from my bridesmaids about this issue so far.

[angeltwink]

I don't think is wrong to ask them to pay for their own dresses. And as far as JC penny or kohls.. I found them to be more expensive.. I live in MI and the dresses I looked at from Penny's were in the range of $125-150. The dresses we purchased from Davids Bridal were $110.00 and they got 15% off because I got my dress there. Even without the discount it was still cheaper.. In MI we also have a store called DEB and they to were $125 and up... not much of a bargin. I didn't pick very ellaborate dresses either, very simple black and white. Just give the girls time to pay for them.. Also with Davids Bridal they have a credit card, w/ no payments for 12months, that gives them more time to pay.. Hope you figure out the delema!!

[koolade]

angeltwink..i am also in MI and found the same thing you did-the dresses ended up being cheaper at the salon, plus i got a discount myself for getting my dress at the same place. we looked at DEB first and i wasnt really happy with the choices or their prices-so im with you on that!!!