Bridesmaids And Wedding Dress Shopping: To Bring Or Not?

Bridesmaids often play a crucial role in the wedding planning process, and their attire is an essential aspect of the overall aesthetic. While the bride typically chooses the wedding dress, the bridesmaids' dresses are also a key consideration. The process of selecting these dresses involves several steps, from initial discussions to fittings and alterations. This paragraph will explore the timeline, budget considerations, and etiquette guidelines that come into play when bridesmaids go wedding dress shopping.

Budgeting for the dress

Budgeting for a wedding dress can be a tricky task, but it's an important one to ensure that you're not spending outside your means. Here are some tips to help you budget for the dress:

Know Your Overall Wedding Budget

Before allocating money for the wedding dress, it's essential to have a clear idea of the overall wedding budget. This includes considering costs such as venue catering, rental costs, photography, videography, entertainment, wedding planner fees, stationery, wedding bands, and other miscellaneous expenses. Knowing your overall budget will help you determine how much you can realistically allocate to the wedding dress and related expenses.

Allocate a Percentage to the Wedding Dress

A good rule of thumb is to allocate about 10% of your total wedding budget to the wedding dress, alterations, and accessories. This means that if your total wedding budget is $10,000, you would ideally spend around $1,000 on the dress and related costs.

Research Average Costs and Price Ranges

According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding gown is around $2,000. However, this can vary depending on factors such as the designer, alterations, anatomical features, and whether it's an off-the-rack or customized dress. Off-the-rack gowns can be cheaper, while more luxurious or customized gowns can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. Knowing these average costs can help you set a realistic budget for your dream dress.

Consider the Fabric and Embellishments

The fabric and embellishments chosen for a wedding dress can significantly impact its cost. Silk, embroidered lace, tulle, and extra layers tend to make dresses more expensive. If you're on a tighter budget, consider opting for simpler fabrics like crepe, satin, or chiffon. Similarly, if you want a glamorous look without breaking the bank, choose a simple dress and add embellishments or accessories like jewellery or a veil to enhance the overall look.

Factor in Alteration Costs

Alterations are almost always necessary to ensure the perfect fit, and they usually come with an additional fee. In-house alterations offered by bridal boutiques or external seamstresses typically charge at least $100-$300 for basic alterations. If you require more extensive changes, such as adding sleeves or changing the neckline, the costs can increase significantly. Therefore, it's essential to include these potential costs in your budget.

Shop Around and Compare Prices

Different bridal shops, designers, and online retailers will offer varying price points for wedding dresses. Take the time to browse and compare prices to find options that align with your budget. Don't forget to consider sample sales and trunk shows, where you can often find discounted designer gowns.

Be Mindful of Accessories

Accessories like jewellery, shoes, and a veil or headpiece can add to the overall cost of your wedding day look. These extra items can range from $150 to $400 or more. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider reducing the number of accessories or opting for less expensive options.

Discuss Budget with Your Bridesmaids

If you're the bride, remember to have open and honest conversations with your bridesmaids about their budget for dresses. Be considerate of their financial situation and try to find options that are affordable for everyone.

Start Planning Early

Finally, give yourself enough time to shop around and make informed decisions. Starting the wedding dress search early will help you avoid rushed choices and allow you to compare different options to stay within your budget.

When to start shopping

The timeline for bridesmaid dress shopping is a crucial aspect of wedding planning. Here are some guidelines on when to start shopping:

8 Months Before the Wedding:

It is recommended to start seeking inspiration for bridesmaid dresses around eight months before the wedding. This includes browsing bridal shops, both in-person and online, and exploring different styles, colours, and silhouettes. During this time, it's also essential to communicate with the bride to understand her vision and preferences. This early planning ensures that you're aligned with the bride's expectations and gives you a head start on finding the perfect attire.

6 Months Before the Wedding:

The general consensus is that bridesmaid dresses should be ordered about six months before the wedding. This timeframe accounts for potential shipping delays and allows ample room for alterations. It's crucial to place the order on time, especially for custom or made-to-order dresses, which often have longer lead times. Remember, the goal is to reduce stress and ensure a smooth process for everyone involved.

3-4 Months Before the Wedding:

With the dresses ordered, it's now time to focus on alterations. Schedule your first fitting appointment with a seamstress about three to four months before the wedding. This appointment ensures that your dress fits perfectly and addresses any necessary adjustments. It's a good idea to bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on the wedding day to ensure the correct length and fit.

1-2 Months Before the Wedding:

Schedule your final fitting about one to two months before the big day. This appointment ensures that any remaining alterations are addressed, and you can take the dress home, ready for the wedding. It's a good idea to find a safe place to store the dress until the event, keeping it wrinkle-free and in perfect condition.

Final Touches:

In the days leading up to the wedding, try on your dress again to ensure it still fits well. This precaution gives you the opportunity to make any last-minute adjustments if needed. On the day before the wedding, gather your bridesmaid dress and all the accessories, ensuring that you have everything you need. It's also a good idea to check in with the bride to see if she wants you to bring a portable steamer to ensure wrinkle-free attire for the entire bridal party.

Who chooses the dress

So, your best friend (or sister, or cousin, or roomie) has asked you to be a bridesmaid at her wedding – exciting! But what does that actually entail? Well, you'll need to buy a dress, for one. But who chooses the dress? Is it you, or the bride?

The Bride's Big Day

It's the bride's wedding, so what she says goes. If she wants you to pick out your own dress, that's great – you can get shopping. But if she wants to pick out the dresses herself, then you'll have to go along with what she chooses. It's her special day, so even if you don't like the style or colour, it's best to keep those feelings to yourself. You might even end up loving it once you try it!

Following the Bride's Lead

If the bride has given you free rein to choose your own dress style, be sure to follow her guidelines. She might want you all in chiffon, or in a dress with sleeves, or to stick to a certain colour palette. It's her day, so it's important that you respect her wishes. Always check in with her if you're considering a look that veers from what she's asked for, and be prepared to be flexible.

Budgeting

It's important to talk about budgets early on in the process. The bride should have a conversation with the bridal party to agree on a fair price point for the dresses. That way, everyone knows where they stand and can plan accordingly.

Timeline

It's recommended that brides start browsing for bridesmaid dresses around eight months before the wedding. This gives everyone plenty of time to order their dresses and have any necessary alterations made. It usually takes between two and three months for dresses to arrive, so it's important to leave enough time for any last-minute changes.

Measurements

You'll need to know your correct measurements before you purchase your dress, so be sure to get those done early on in the process. You can usually get measured while you're trying on different styles, but if not, you can always go to a local seamstress.

Getting the right fit

Know Your Measurements

It is crucial to know your correct measurements, such as bust, waist, and length, before purchasing a bridesmaid dress. These measurements can be taken by a professional seamstress or during a dress fitting session. Accurate measurements ensure that the dress can be altered to fit your body type perfectly.

Schedule Fittings in Advance

Bridesmaid dresses often require alterations to ensure a perfect fit. Schedule your first fitting at least four to six weeks before the wedding. This will allow time for any necessary adjustments to be made. If you need more complex alterations, book your first fitting even earlier to accommodate multiple visits for a perfect fit.

Order All Dresses Together

If the bridesmaids are wearing different styles, be sure to order all the dresses at the same time. This ensures that the fabric dye lots match, resulting in identical colours across all dresses. Ordering dresses separately may result in slight colour variations, which can be avoided by ordering together.

Try on the Dress in Advance

It is recommended to try on the dress as soon as it arrives to check for any major surprises. This also allows you to assess the fit and determine if any additional alterations are needed. Trying on the dress a few days before the wedding gives you a buffer to make last-minute adjustments if necessary.

Bring the Right Accessories

When trying on bridesmaid dresses, bring along the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on the wedding day. These items are essential for getting the correct measurements and ensuring the dress fits comfortably and flatters your body type.

Consult the Bride

Remember that the bride's vision and preferences are essential. Before shopping, ask the bride for her opinion and ensure that the dress you select aligns with her expectations for her special day. Be flexible and keep an open mind during the process.

What to bring to an appointment

It is important to be prepared when going wedding dress shopping with the bride. Here are some things to bring to your appointment:

• Undergarments: It is a good idea to bring the undergarments you plan to wear on the wedding day. This will ensure that you can properly assess the fit of the dresses. If you haven't chosen your undergarments yet, don't worry, the bridal shop can help you with these and other accessories.
• Shoes: Bring the shoes you plan to wear to the wedding. This is especially important if the bridesmaid dress is short, as the bride will likely want to see the full look. If you haven't chosen your shoes yet, the bride can advise you on the specific colour and style she wants.
• Hair ties: It is helpful to bring hair ties to the appointment. Keeping the bride's hair up will allow her to see the necklines and back details of the dresses.
• Food: Make sure you eat before the appointment. It is a fun but exhausting process, and you need to keep your energy up!
• Open mind: While it is important to do your research and come prepared with styles you want to try on, it is also good to keep an open mind. You might be surprised and end up loving a dress you didn't expect!

Frequently asked questions