Set a budget and stick to it. Keep in mindthe av erage wedding dress costs $790.00 and the average bridesmaid dress costs $125.00. Note: Plan to pay more for plus size bridesmaid dresses and plus size wedding gowns!
Shop beyond the bridal department. There’s no rule saying you must buy a dress for a bridal party from a wedding collection. Beautiful dresses can be found in anywhere at anytime. It doesn’t have to say wedding on it. If it does, you’ll pay more! Brides on a budget can shop the bridesmaid collection for simple, elegant and cheap dresses that save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Or consider shopping for special occasion dresses to find an elegant formal gown or evening dress in ivory, white or any color as a cheap alternative to a traditional wedding gown.
Best yet, let each bridesmaid wear her favorite little black dress or buying a new one for the wedding.
Wedding gowns go on sale in June just before the new Fall styles arrives. Prom dresses go on sale in late Spring, sometimes for under $100. Late summer, pickup a cheap bridesmaid dress that may be discontinued or a customer ordered but never bought.