Bridesmaid dress shopping can be a super fun experience, or it can create a lot of stress and drama. Let’s go through some tips and logistics to ensure it’s a great time for everyone.
There tend to be two types of reactions when one thinks about bridesmaid dress shopping. Some people envision a really fun time with their friends, trying on dresses and enjoying the process. Others start to feel anxiety over making decisions, letting others down, and of course, the price. The thing is, while there are some downsides to bridesmaid dresses, it doesn’t have to be a bad experience to choose one.
If you properly plan out your bridesmaid dress shopping trip, it can be a fun time for everyone. If you are the bride, the key is to communicate with each bridal party member up front about your vision, and listen to any concerns that they may have. When it comes to “dressing” your friends and family, it’s important to hear any preferences about style, colors, and pricing. The goal is that everyone feels comfortable and ends up wearing something to the wedding that they like.
Your Bridesmaid Dress Shopping Guide
This post is going to have all the details on where to find bridesmaids dresses, different styles out there, options for paying for the dresses, and even what to do with them after the wedding. You’ll find tips to help make everything go smoothly, current trends, and even suggestions for alternatives to matching bridesmaid dresses.
Hopefully this helps you enjoy your bridesmaid dress shopping experience!
Where To Go Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
There are so many options when it comes to bridesmaid dress shopping. Let’s go over the big ones, and the pro’s and con’s of each one.
Big Box Bridal Store
Big box chain bridal stores may get a bad rap, but they are great for a lot of reasons.
These stores are usually found across the country, and are known for having lots of options for styles and colors of dresses. The dresses found at them are typically about $100 – $200, which is a relatively good price for a bridesmaid dress. You’ll be able to find dresses that suit many body types at these stores, and it’s often possible to find clearance items.
Another benefit of a big box store is that if you have bridesmaids who live far away from each other, it’s often possible for them to shop at the store closest to them.
Boutique Bridal Store
Boutique bridal stores are stores that you will find locally, that typically focus on a limited number of designers or styles.
These stores are great if you’d like a more custom dress and are willing to spend a little more for personalized service. They are also an awesome option if your bridesmaids all live close by. However, if you have a bridesmaid who is not able to try on dresses in person, these boutiques are often able to custom order a dress for her if she provides her measurements.
Online – New
Shopping online is so common right now for just about everything. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the first things you may think of when it comes to bridesmaid dress shopping.
There are many, many retailers that sell dresses online. There are also some red flags to watch out for. First, understand that when you shop online there is a greater chance that the dress will not fit when it comes in. For some, it can be tricky to take their own measurements and find the right match. Be sure to work with your bridesmaids to make sure the sizing is correct.
The next thing with purchasing online is that the shipping may take a long time. And, the quality might not be as expected. So, before you make a purchase, be sure to look up reviews and ensure that this is a reputable site to purchase from. Learn from the experiences of others whenever you can.
The last tip when it comes to purchasing online is for each girl to order from the same place if they are expected to wear the exact same color. This is because different dye lots may be used for different batches of dresses. When you order from various retailers, the chances of the “same” color appearing different in photos goes up a lot. It’s just something to be aware of, if color is important to you.
Online – Second Hand
If you aren’t worries about matching bridesmaids dresses, or you have a very small bridal party, it may be worth it to find the dresses second-hand.
Often, dresses from big box bridal stores can be found online at a deep discount, having already been worn. For those of you not worried about each girl wearing the same thing, it could be fairly easy to find dresses that work for everyone. If you want everyone to match exactly, and there are many members of your bridal party, it becomes much more difficult to find the same dress second-hand for a large group.
In Person Verses Online
For the most part, the safest way to shop for bridesmaids dresses is to do it in person. Being able to try them on, ask questions with a real live human being, and determine what works and what doesn’t work in live time is priceless.
Yes, you can try dresses on in a store and then order online, but this comes with some issues and risks (see above). So, when in doubt, if you can, shop in person.
When To Go Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
The ideal time to go bridesmaid dress shopping is about six months before the wedding for custom made dresses, and about four months for off the rack dresses.
Custom made means that the dress is ordered in your size, preferred color, and design, and has to be crafted before it is sent to you. This all takes a lot longer than if you pick something off the shelf at a department store. However, either scenario is likely to require some alterations, so give yourself some time.
You won’t want to go bridesmaid dress shopping too early because a lot can change. For example, sizing can be drastic from year to year for many women. Weight gain or loss, or pregnancy, can really impact what size you need to wear. Ordering within the four to six month timeframe will help reduce the sizing risks. There are also risks that your bridal party members will change over time, so it’s important to order dresses when everyone is willing and ready to be in your bridal party.
Bridesmaid Dress Style / Color
Styles and colors of bridesmaid dresses are a personal preference.
The best thing that a bride can do is to go over her vision with her bridal part about what they will wear, before they go shopping. It’s important for everyone to listen to each other, and hear any concerns or suggestions. This helps mitigate any issues should a bride want a bridesmaid to wear something she really does not feel comfortable or beautiful in. Not every color, style, or price is right for everyone, so this part is important.
Everyone Matches
While mismatched dresses are becoming more trendy right now, there are still many weddings where all bridesmaids wear the same exact dresses.
The plus side of this is that there will be a uniform look. The downside is you’re asking different people, with different bodies and budgets, to wear (and probably buy) a dress that may not be their first choice. It’s important, if you go this route, that you get some consensus before assigning a dress. Ask your girls what they like, take one or all shopping to make the choice, and be flexible with your own vision.
Cohesive But Not Exactly The Same
This is the situation where you give some clear guidelines and the girls have the freedom to choose a dress within those.
Personally, at my wedding, I asked my (two) girls to wear something black, short sleeves, knee-length, and with some lace somewhere in it. It worked. The balance here is to be specific, but understand that the more specifications, the harder it will be to find the look (and you might as well have picked the dress for them).
To pull off this look, everyone will have slightly different colors or styles that somehow tie together. It does help them to stand out a little, and accommodates different colorings and body types. Keep in mind that there are other ways to pull looks together, too, like with bouquets of flowers or matching accessories.
On a side note – some brides (and grooms) like to mix it up and have both girls and boys on their sides. If you want to create some cohesiveness in this situation, consider having the guys wear the same color tie as the girl’s dresses. Color, texture, and patterns can tie two outfits together very nicely.
Trends
Right now, in 2021, there are some fun trends going on with bridesmaid dresses.
First off, natural tones are very popular. Many bridal parties are wearing soft creams, peaches, mossy greens, or other earth tones. There is a very subtle approach when it comes to colors. Additionally, less and less weddings have everyone matching. Many weddings opt for a mix and match situation, as mentioned before. Often bridesmaids are seen wearing complementary colors or designs that work together.
The last trend right now is the cut of the actual dresses. More dresses are one shoulder, or off shoulder. There are also high necks, halter tops, and interesting backs of dresses. Though some bridal parties still wear standard dresses, many are having fun with trendy styles.
Accessories
When it comes to bridesmaid accessories, there are many functional purposes.
For example, each girl’s look can be pulled together with matching or complementary earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or hair pieces. These are all items that you can gift them as part of a thank you for being a member of your bridal party. If you aren’t planning on providing the accessories as gifts, you can also give them guidelines on what to wear, such as a specific color or style of jewelry.
Jewelry isn’t the only way that they can accessorize, either. A certain color or style of shoes, pashminas, umbrellas, or other items can all complement a look and stand out in pictures. Feel free to have fun with your accessory ideas and what works best for the look you’re trying to create.
Who Pays For Bridesmaid Dresses?
Anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid knows that it can be really expensive, and the dress is often part of that.
When it comes to paying for a bridesmaid dress, it’s totally up to the bride (and her partner). If the bride expects the bridesmaids to pay, she may want to have a little more flexibility when it comes to their inputs and preferences. If the bridesmaids are paying, they may want to make sure that the dress is able to be worn again and matches their own personal style.
Conversely, if the bride is paying for the dresses, and has some strong opinions about how the dresses should look, it may be a lot easier for her bridesmaids to go along with her vision. It all really does come down to budget, preference, and situation. Each side will have to evaluate what works best for them, and come up with a plan that works for everyone.
Bridesmaid Dress Alterations
Just like with wedding dresses, alterations are totally to be expected for bridesmaids dresses.
The range of how much it is to alter a dress can vary based on your location and the amount of work that needs to be done. For simple hems, and forgiving fabric, it could be a very low cost. If you will have to take in a dress or let it out, add straps, or fix a major issue, it can be more pricey. Typically the cost of alterations are placed on the bridesmaid.
My Personal Experience With Bridesmaid Dress Alterations
I have two personal stories when it comes to alterations. In the first example, the dress was ordered about six months before the wedding and when it arrived, it was too small. I totally freaked out. I hadn’t gained any weight, but it would not zip up. Luckily, I was able to have some of the zipper fabric let out of it to allow me to zip it up all the way.
The second time I needed major alterations was when I was about five months pregnant. The dress was ordered well before I was pregnant, and in the size I was pre-pregnancy. When the dress finally arrived, there was just no way it was going to work for me. However, one of the other bridesmaids had lost some weight so I was able to switch sizes with her before the wedding. I then had to have the top part of the dress taken in, while leaving lots of room for my belly. Again, it caused me a lot of stress at the time but it all worked out.
What To Do If Your Dress Doesn’t Fit
If you find yourself in need of major alterations, please keep calm. Often you can take your dress back the store you bought it from (if you bought it from a store), or a good tailor, and they will be able to help you. With additional fabric, some skilled handy-work, and creativity, almost anything is possible.
Bridesmaid Dress Alterations Takeaways
There are some major takeaways when it comes to alterations. First, they are to be expected. Second, you will need to budget at least a little bit for them if you are in the typical bridesmaid situation. Third, remember it’s always easier to bring fabric in rather than let it out, so order the larger size if you’re unsure. Forth, if you do find yourself in a pickle, keep calm and let a professional work their magic.
What To Do With The Bridesmaid Dress Afterwards?
I recently wrote a whole post about what to do with your wedding dress after the wedding, so I’m sure some of you are wondering what you can do with a bridesmaid’s dress after the wedding.
Resell The Bridesmaid Dress
One of the most popular things to do with bridesmaid’s dresses are to resell them online. You can list your dress on Poshmark, Ebay or a lesser known website like Pre Owned Wedding Dresses. You can also list it locally on Facebook or Next Door and see if you’re able to save on some commission or shipping expenses. If you bought your dress from a large retailer, chances are someone else is looking for it. If you have more of a boutique dress, you can also take it to a consignment shop for a discounted sale.
Wear It Again
The other big option for your bridesmaid dress is to wear it again. I know, I know, the old joke is that you never wear those dresses again. However, for the right dress, or the right transformation, you just may. Sometimes taking it to a skilled professional for hemming, additional embellishments, or removal of certain features can turn a dress into something that can easily be worn to various events. Or, depending on the dress, you can just wear it as is.
Donate The Dress
The last option would be to donate your dress. Just like with wedding dresses, there are many organizations that will take donated bridesmaid dresses for various uses. Becca’s Closet, The Princess Project, or the Priceless Gown Project are all great options, among many others that you can find online. You can also donate your dress locally to many different acceptance centers, and collect the tax write off for the worth of it.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
There you have it friends! Everything you may be wondering about bridesmaids dresses shopping and some other extra tips added in. The thing about bridesmaids dresses is that it is totally possible to create a positive experience both buying them and wearing them. All you have to do is listen to each other, collaborate, and do what’s best for everyone. The best part is that however the dresses end up, everyone will look beautiful on the wedding day. There’s something about weddings that brings out the beauty in everyone.
More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice:
What To Do With Your Wedding Dress After The Wedding
Choosing Your Wedding Party (What You Need To Know First)
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