Unless you have a massive wedding budget, bridesmaid dresses and outfits can often be an expense you may not be able to afford. However, there are plenty of ways to get the perfect bridesmaid outfits without blowing your budget. Here are a few…
Browse Retail Stores
Whether it be online or looking through the women’s clothing from Marcs, the first place you should look should be retail stores. The majority of bridal boutiques sell dresses at a premium, meaning they are often not the best places to look if you want a deal.
On the other hand, retail stores often offer better prices and more options, and have dresses and outfits that can be worn multiple times after the wedding, meaning the investment is far more worth the money.
Shop Secondhand
Considering bridesmaid dresses and outfits are typically styles that can’t be worn outside of a wedding, many of the secondhand options you will find will have only been worn once or twice before.
This means you can find a dress or an outfit that is close to brand-new, but at a severely discounted price. While you may have to be a bit more flexible with what you like and the look you are going for, you will end up saving yourself and your bridal party a ton of money.
Rent
If you find the perfect dress or outfit for your bridesmaids, but the price tag is out of your budget, you can always opt to rent. Many bridal boutiques have this option available, and you can rent the outfit in the same way you would rent a Halloween costume.
It is important not to damage the dresses, and you should suggest that your bridesmaids change out of them after the ceremony and photos, but this is still a great way to get the perfect outfits without spending the same money.
End-of-Season Sales
Whether it is a budget retail store, or an upmarket boutique, you can often find end-of-season sales. However, there is one big benefit, and one big con if you choose to go this route.
The benefit is that you can find incredible deals and great prices for items, even if they are designer. On the other hand, your choices can often be limited, you may struggle to find the right sizes, and, depending on the retailer, you may not be able to return the item.
Don’t Do Last-Minute Shopping
Building on the last point, it is essential to give your bridesmaids a lot of time to shop, to ensure they can take advantage of these sales and discounts. For instance, if you want a Summer wedding, tell your bridesmaids in the Winter, don’t wait until the season changes and the outfit prices go back to their regular amounts.
Does it have to be a Dress?
Another way to save money is to ask yourself, “Does it need to be a dress?” While this isn’t a surefire way to find something below your budget, you may want to investigate other outfit ideas such as pantsuits, or something similar.
You may find that a matching pantsuit not only suits your style and taste, and the vibe of your wedding, but they can also be more affordable than a dress.
Cut Down on the Extras
While this step may not save you a ton of money, it is still worth doing if you are potentially looking to spend a bit more on the outfits. Look at the outfit extras you want to incorporate, and decide if they are really necessary or not.
For instance, your bridesmaids don’t all need the same clutch bag, the same heels, or the same jewelry. You will save yourself a lot of money if you just stick to wanting matching bridesmaid outfits, and do not need matching accessories.
Negotiate with Boutiques
Another route you can go down is negotiating with boutiques. Unlike regular retail stores, you may be surprised to find out how flexible bridal boutiques can be when it comes to selling dresses.
Speak to them about the price they can offer if you buy all the dresses from them, or if they can offer a discount. While you may strike out, it is always worth asking, and as mentioned, you may be surprised by some of the answers you get.
Provide Colour Palette/Style Suggestions
Finally, one of the best ways to save money on bridesmaid outfits is to not spend money at all. If you want a more unique bridal party look, you can simply provide a color palette and style suggestions to your bridal party, and let them choose what they wear.
This means your bridal party can choose outfits they are happy and comfortable with, you don’t need to spend money on dresses that may not be worn again, and you can use that money you saved to improve another part of your wedding.
In conclusion, if you are willing to be a bit flexible, it isn’t difficult to save money on your bridesmaids’ outfits, without having to sacrifice quality or style. Take your time, do your research, and it will be far easier than you think.
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