How to Save Money on Bridesmaids' Dresses

Bridesmaid’s dresses can be pricey. Depending how many you have included in your wedding party, it could set you back a lot in your budget. Bridesmaid’s dresses can be purchased from many different places, but you can find ways to save your budget. Below are some tips to save money on your bridesmaid’s dresses.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• computer

1. Ask your bridesmaids if they would be willing to purchase their own dress. Many will, because as long as the dress is tasteful enough they can wear it again for another special occasion.

2. Look on the Internet for discount mail-order stores. They are able to offer lower priced dresses in exchange for eliminating the middle-man at the store level. They can sell the dress for little to no markup and you could save 20-40 percent off of store prices.

3. Shop closeout and end of season sales. Most of these dresses can not be reordered, but you may be able to get the number you need with different locations of the same store. Or consider the look of coordinating and not matching dresses. As long as they have a color in common, they will look well-coordinated to each other. Give each bridesmaid a swatch of the color you want in their dress, and let them know that you have the final say on the dress.

4. Ask retailers if they offer a package discount. If you purchase your wedding dress from them, could they discount the price of the bridesmaids’ dresses? Or could you get a discount if you order 5 or more of the same dress?

5. Make them yourself. Do you have someone in your family or a family friend that can sew? Ask them if they would sew your bridesmaid’s dresses for you. This helps with finding the right dress, because you will be making the dress. This will save a huge chunk off of the price. Shop around for fabric that is the right color and texture that you are looking for.

6. Shop at non-bridal retailers. Many bridal shops are pricier because they know a bride wants the right dress and will pay for it. Shop at women’s retail stores. Look in the dress department. Many prom dresses are suitable for a bridesmaids dress. And they will be just a fraction of what it would have cost at the bridal store.

Tips & Warnings

• When making your bridesmaid’s dresses, shop for fabric that is durable and will withstand a night of dancing.
• Make sure when purchasing dresses that they all have the same lot number. You want to make sure that they were all made from the same batch of fabric. A different batch could be a slightly different color or texture.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to start shopping. You want to allow time for shipping and any alterations that will need to be done.
• If you let your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses, make sure that you have the final say in their choice. This is your special day.

[marielc]

on 2/15/2009 I'm shopping for my own bridesmaid dress. So, these tips are helpful. I can buy my own prom dress turned bridesmaid dress. Yay!!!