Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses

Planning your wedding is supposed to be one of the most memorable and exciting experiences of your life. Of course, actually paying for the wedding is bound to be less enjoyable. For most people, the average wedding costs over $35,000 and those expenses don’t just apply to the bride and groom.

Picking your bridal party can be one of the most important and sentimental decisions you make for the big day. It’s important to remember that your bridesmaids are sharing part of the wedding costs with you though and bridesmaids dresses can get expensive.

Before you ask your ladies to spend too much money on a dress they might only wear once (ouch!) we’ve got four easy to follow tips that will help you scout gorgeous gowns that won’t break the bank. Read on as we explore the ultimate buyer’s guide to affordable bridesmaid dresses.

Ditch The Label

The first step is simple: stop searching for “bridesmaids dresses.”

That may sound counterproductive, but it can help save you big bucks. Dresses marketed as bridesmaids gowns are often far more expensive than “regular” dresses. Still, many are designed the same way or with similar materials (including chiffon, lace, or beading) making them virtually the same.

Expanding your search to less traditional bridesmaids dresses also means you could have more options on the look and finish your bridesmaids wear. Most bridesmaids dresses tend to have the same basic look.

If you’re willing to shop “off the rack” for your own wedding dress (or at least considered the option), applying the same shopping technique to your bridesmaid dresses makes sense. Before you spend too much time dress hunting, trying calling certain stores in advance to see if they carry the types of dresses you’re looking for.

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Ditching the label and shopping for dresses you think are beautiful regardless of how they’re marketed could help your bridesmaids stand out, save money, and even get more wear out of their dresses!

Finding Preowned Gems

It’s virtually tradition that bridesmaids only wear their dresses one time and then hang them up for good. Still, there’s another option too and it could help future brides find preowned gems.

Plenty of women decide to sell their bridesmaids dresses after the big day. Knowing where to shop these gently worn gowns can give you the same high-quality you expect while still being affordable.

If you aren’t picky about the look of your affordable bridesmaid’s dresses, you might also consider renting them online. This offers less customization of the finished look. Brides on a budget might not mind these small sacrifices though!

If you’re planning on shopping for preowned dresses or considering renting them instead, don’t wait to get started. Preowned dresses that match or fit properly can be hard to find, and if you wait too long to buy you might find yourself spending more than anticipated.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of alterations either. Buying used can mean having to alter the size or length of certain gowns. This added step may not be as important with dresses your bridesmaids can try on in advance, so it’s important to weigh your options.

Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses Online

Looking for affordable bridesmaid dresses that don’t sacrifice design and still look unique? Try shopping online instead.

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Shopping for bridesmaid dresses online can open you up to a new world of options, looks, and even prices you can’t find in a store. When you’re shopping online, you’ll know exactly how much each dress costs without having to ask a sales attendant, and you’ll be able to see all of your options up front.

Many online dress companies are generous return policies as long as the dresses aren’t used or altered which means you won’t have to worry if the dress arrives and you don’t love it in person.

Online bridal boutiques will always have size measurements associated with each dress you can use to help pick sizes. Make sure you have your bridesmaid’s measurements ready so that when you find the dress you love you won’t have to wait to buy them.

The bridal world is your oyster when you shop online, but don’t get too comfortable! It’s easy to go overboard with your research and not have enough time, in the end, to have the dresses shipped, returned (if necessary), or altered before the big day.

Be Ready To Buy

The most important tip to buying affordable bridesmaid dresses isn’t knowing where to shop or which types of dresses to look: it’s being ready to buy when you find the one.

Especially during wedding season you probably aren’t the only bride on the market for an affordable wedding dress. When you think you’ve found the one be ready to pull the trigger! Affordable wedding dresses can go fast and if you spend too much time waiting or thinking about a particular gown, it might be gone.

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Waiting for dresses to go on sale can be another costly mistake. In some cases, the moment a dress finally does get reduced it might be available in all of the sizes you need or even at all.

Having your bridesmaid’s measurements ready and credit card in hand is the smartest way to shop for affordable bridesmaid dresses. As long as you’ve researched the companies return policy in advance you should be able to return dresses that don’t work out. Better safe than sorry!

Styling Your Wedding Wardrobe

Whatever your style, budget, or need, Styles Wardrobe has everything you need to put together your total look before the big day.

From beauty and hair tips to dresses you can wear to your bridal shower, rehearsal, and beyond – we’ve got your glamour covered. Not sure what types of accessories to accent your bridesmaids on or what color shoes might go with the specific color of dresses you pick? Styles Wardrobe has you covered.

No more guessing! Let Styles Wardrobe help you take the stress out of dressing your bridesmaids (or yourself) before the big day!