The Bridesmaids Dresses

Get your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses.

Bridesmaid dresses don’t have to be all glam and glitter, it is the bride who is should be the focus of attention, and having a more simple design and cheaper fabric can save on the cost of the dress.

The more bridesmaids the more outfits required.  How many do you really need?  Cutting down on the numbers in the bridal party will not only save money but it will also save you time and stress in organising them.

Get a dress from a formal shop (wedding dress outlets will at least double the prices of their bridesmaid dresses).

Having different styles for each bridesmaid in similar or the same colour will mean your options are greater, and you won’t be tied in to paying a particular price with a particular store.

Have your bridesmaid dresses made.  As they will not be as involved or detailed as the bride’s dress friends and family members can pitch in here.  My sister made her own dress as part of a school sewing project which meant she got expert help from her teacher, and it was more special on the day because she did it herself.

Pick a formal dress that is in season and that can be worn again to other formal events.

Brides and bridesmaids often sell their bridesmaid dresses online or in papers etc.  The positive is that you can get multiple dresses in the same size and style.  They only draw back is you may not be able to get all the sizes you want.

Consider the above option, and having the dresses altered.

Larger sized dresses bought off the rack can sometimes be cheaper than the more popular sizes, especially around sale season.  Consider getting a larger size and having it altered.

Department stores can be cheaper than speciality formal wear stores, and you don’t even have to go into the “formal wear” section to find gorgeous outfits.

Speciality formal wear stores often rent out dresses, and the bridal party is going to be less likely to be worried about wearing a rental than the bride is.

Formal wear stores will eventually off load their old stock to get new stock in.  These sales can be great for picking up second hand outfits (for both women and men!)

Go shopping at designer clearance outlets.  Many top designers and brands have outlet centres across Australia where you can pick up great dresses at a fraction of the price.  I once picked up a gorgeous REVIEW formal dress reduced from $350 down to $25.  Persistence is the key because these outfits will most likely be at the back of a rack somewhere and need some looking to be found!