It is a great honor to be chosen as a bridesmaid, but with that honor also comes a great expense. For a lot of bridesmaids, the total cost of being in a wedding can run upwards of $1000 (especially if travel is involved). These are some great ideas on how to be a bridesmaid without spending a fortune. The bridesmaid dress is always an issue. They are generally very expensive, and rarely does the bride choose a dress you would actually ever wear again. There are a few ways to improve the situation. If the bride has expensive taste, you can look into renting designer dresses for the wedding. There are a few websites that offer this service, and it can be a fantastic option for weddings, since you pay a small fraction of the original price of the dress. The only drawback is that the dresses cannot be altered, so all of the attendants need to be able to fit into standard sizes. This can be a great alternative to purchasing a dress that will be banished to the back of your closest for all eternity. Add some gorgeous bridesmaid jewelry, and you will be good to go!
If a designer gown rental service does not work for your group, propose to the bride that you shop for bridesmaid dresses at stores that have special occasion collections, rather than traditional bridal salons. When you can buy from a major chain, you will have a good range of size options (many stores offer the same dress in petites, misses, and womens' sizes), which means fewer expensive alterations. Better yet, if you time it well, you might be able to take advantage of sales and promotions to get deep discounts on the dresses. Best of all, a classic cocktail dress is a style you will be more likely to wear again than a traditional bridesmaid dress. It is always less painful to spend the money if you feel like you will be buying something that will be a useful and versatile addition to your wardrobe.
How else can you be a bridesmaid for less? Borrow what you can instead of buying new. The bride will probably give her attendants gifts of bridesmaid jewelry, so you should not have to worry about that, and try to borrow the rest of your accessories. The chances are you have a friend with a great collection of chic evening bags or a sister who wears the same size shoe as you. If you don't have to pay for shoes and a bag to go with your dress, you can save a lot of money. Other things you may be able to borrow could include a wrap, hair jewelry, and maybe even a crinoline if you are wearing a bridesmaid dress with a full skirt. It is often travel and accommodations that push the cost of being a bridesmaid so high. With a little effort, you may be able to keep these expenses under control. Explore different ways of getting to the wedding, such as flying at off hours or driving with a friend to split the cost of fuel. Ask the bride if she has a friend who would be able to host you for the weekend of the wedding, rather than paying for a hotel room. If you will be traveling to attend her bridal shower, these same tips apply.
Finally, get creative when it comes to buying the wedding gift. Instead of buying a crystal vase from the registry, shop around for a unique and beautiful one from a vintage or thrift store. Take advantage of end-of-season sales at department stores or places like Pottery Barn to get pricey gift items for less. By the time you have saved on your bridesmaid dress and accessories, travel, and gifts, you might find that being a bridesmaid does not have to cost an arm and a leg after all!
No comments:
Post a Comment