How Does Brides Maid Dresses Work?

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses are a fashion-forward trend in the bridal industry, reflecting individuality and personal style. To create a mismatched look, bridesmaids should visit local bridal boutiques to try on gowns and determine their preferences. If you need a last-minute wedding dress, call bridal salons in your area and ask about sample sizes available for you to try on. Bridal sizing is different from typical street wear sizing, so most samples are available in bridal sizes 8, 10, 12, 18, 20, or 22.

When shopping for bridesmaid dresses, make a day of it by starting with a leisurely brunch and having them give their opinions on the dresses they love. Keep the measuring tape level and parallel to the floor, not too tight or too loose. Your wedding dress is listed on Stillwhite until it sells for a one-off payment.

Traditionally, bridesmaids wear the same dress or outfit in the chosen wedding color to help the bride stand out. To keep formality, consider the length of the dresses. Bridesmaid dresses can range from $100 to upwards of $800, depending on the lavishness of the wedding and the stores.

Traditionally, the bride is responsible for choosing the bridesmaid dresses, but the process often involves collaboration and consideration. Gelique believes in making the ordering process for bridesmaids as simple as possible, with six easy steps to follow.


📹 Bridesmaid Dress Ideas: What to Wear as a Bridesmaid

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Do bridesmaids usually pay for their dresses?

That’s still an exception. Bridesmaids usually pay for their own dresses and accessories, as well as for hair and makeup appointments and transportation to the wedding. Gottsman says bridesmaids should be ready to pay for these costs when they accept the offer. The bride should let everyone know about upcoming financial responsibilities from the start. Bridesmaids should be honest if they’ll be under a monetary strain. How much do bridesmaids’ dresses cost? Your bridesmaids will be spending a lot of money on your wedding. It’s important for the bride to think about the cost of the dresses and everyone’s body types when choosing wedding outfits. Bridesmaids’ dresses cost between $100 and $800. It depends on the wedding and the stores you go to, she says. Choose flattering, comfortable, and affordable dresses. The cost of being a bridesmaid can cause conflicts between brides and their attendants. You don’t want your bridesmaids to be upset about spending a lot of money on a dress they’ll never wear again.

Is it rude to ask bridesmaids to pay for bridal shower?

Bridal Shower (Hosting). Who pays for the bridal shower? Some bridesmaids pay for this. This only applies if they’re hosting the event themselves. There are no hard and fast rules about who hosts and pays for the bridal shower these days. Sometimes the mother of the bride and her family host the event, and sometimes the couple contributes. Sometimes, different parties pay different amounts. Here’s the main idea: If the maid of honor or bridesmaids want to host and pay for the bridal shower, they can. It’s a good idea to talk about plans and expectations before anyone makes assumptions. Wedding expenses bridesmaids and groomsmen shouldn’t pay for. Hair and makeup. If you have professional hair and makeup artists, paying for your bridesmaids is a “delightfully tasteful treat,” says Carter. If these services are mandatory, costs should be covered. If you require professional hair and makeup for the bridal party, the couple should pay for it, says Ritchie. You can let the bridesmaids do their own hair and makeup instead of making it a mandatory expense. If it’s optional, it’s just a kind offer, says Ritchie.

Is it rude to ask bridesmaids to pay for their dress?

Bridesmaid dresses. In the UK, it’s traditional for the bride to pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, but it’s not set in stone. If you can’t afford the dresses, it’s OK to ask your bridesmaids to pay for them. They’re your closest friends and family, so they’ll understand. If you ask your bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, you may have to compromise on what they wear. Your bridesmaids are more likely to pay for an outfit if they can wear it again. Set some color boundaries, but let them pick their own style. You could choose a color like pale blue or leave it open to interpretation. Ask your bridesmaids to choose a pastel color dress or any shade of blue. As long as you have one consistent look, your bridesmaids can choose a style that suits their body shape and shows off their personality.

How to choose bridesmaid dresses that compliment the bride
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Do I need to wear a bra with a bridesmaid dress?

The bridesmaid’s body type and style preferences. A smaller bridesmaid can wear any dress style without a bra. If you’re curvier with a larger chest, you might feel uncomfortable, unsupported, and even self-conscious in a bridesmaid dress without a bra. If this is the case, tell the bride. She wants you to feel confident and comfortable. Some bridesmaids might wear different dresses in the same color. This will make sure everyone feels good in their dress, with or without a bra.

The fabric of the dress. The fabric of the bridesmaid dress can affect whether you should wear a bra or not, and if so, what type. Warm-weather bridesmaid dresses are often made of lighter fabrics. These dresses are cool and flow nicely in the breeze. Some fabrics are lightweight, so you need to choose underwear that is flat and smooth. If the dress doesn’t have cups or a built-in support structure, or you need extra support. Consider shaper-style bras with silicone edges. They’re made to be subtle under thinner garments. Ask the bride about her dress fabrics and styles to find out what type of bra she needs.

Does the bride buy the bridesmaids dresses?

It’s common for the bride to pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, even if there are many bridesmaids. But when everyone’s budget and life stage are different, and we’re all living through a cost of living crisis, having an honest conversation at the start of wedding planning can save a lot of headaches later on. You know your bridesmaids better than anyone. The average cost of being a bridesmaid in the UK is around £665. By having an upfront chat about expectations and expenses, you can ensure that everyone can join in the fun without feeling the pinch. We talked to wedding experts Lucy Menghini and Matthew Shaw about wedding finances and bridesmaids.

When to order bridesmaid dresses azazie
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Do you take your bra off when trying on wedding dresses?

Don’t worry about the bra. Don’t stress over finding the perfect bra before your shopping appointment. Bring a comfortable nude bra you already own and can try on with different dresses. Your bridal consultant will advise you on the best undergarments for each dress you try on. Some wedding dresses have parts that make it unnecessary to wear a bra.

Bring your wedding shoes. You don’t have to bring wedding shoes when you go wedding dress shopping, but it can help you picture your bridal look. If you’re wearing heels at your wedding, bring a comfortable pair. Hidalgo says it helps you see how the gown will fit on your day. Bring shoes that are similar in height to what you’ll wear on your wedding day (heels, flats, strappy sandals) so you can see how they’ll look with your wedding dress. Bring a hair tie or clip. You’ll want a hair tie or clip to throw up your hair while trying on different wedding gowns. Dress shopping is a great time to try different hairstyles with different dresses. If you try on a dress with a high neckline, you can pull your hair back to see how it looks with an updo.

Does the bride pick out the bridesmaid dresses?

The bride chooses the bridesmaids’ dresses, but the bridesmaids should have a say too. How the bridesmaids look affects how the bride feels on her wedding day. Brides can choose a color to match their wedding theme or a style that goes with it. If the wedding is boho, a floaty dress is better. If it’s contemporary chic, a strappy slip or a fitted one-shoulder dress is better. As a bridesmaid, you can suggest colors for the color scheme. Different shades suit different skin tones. We love a tonal fabric mix among bridesmaids.

Who decides on bridesmaid dresses?

How do we find the dress we like and stay close to the theme from our imagination? Some brides choose the bridesmaids’ dresses, while others let the bridesmaids choose. There’s a simple way to choose bridesmaid dresses that makes everyone happy. Brides can choose bridesmaid dresses that match the theme and wedding dress, while considering the bridesmaids and their budget. Then let the bridesmaids choose dresses from the bride’s options. This means that anything they choose is already approved by the bride, and the bridesmaids can take part in choosing dresses. If we have a Belle wedding dress inspired by 18th-century fashion, it’s hard to get our bridesmaids to join us. It’s fun to choose unique wedding and bridesmaid dresses with art and culture. But we need to do some research and look around before we take them to an 18th-century French class.

When should bridesmaids get their dresses altered
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Who pays for the bridesmaid dresses traditionally?

Bridesmaid dresses. Each bridesmaid pays for her own dress. If a bridesmaid is the bride’s sister, the family usually pays for her dress. Let your bridesmaids choose their own dresses so they feel comfortable and have more budget options. Bridesmaid dresses can be expensive, so think about the cost when you ask your bridesmaids to wear them. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Attire. The parents of the flower girl or ring bearer usually pay for their outfit. It’s thoughtful to provide a few options so the child’s parents can choose the one they like best within their budget. If you want the flower girl or ring bearer to wear a specific outfit and you’re not willing to compromise, you can offer to pay.

Mother of the Bride & Groom. The mothers of the bride and groom pay for their own wedding attire. These gowns don’t have to match the bridesmaid dresses, but some brides prefer them to coordinate. If the dresses are similar colors or complement each other, it looks like the mothers are part of the bridal party without being bridesmaids.


📹 Are these dresses worth $99?! *birdy grey unsponsored review*

Thank you so much for watching! LOVE Mia #miamaples #wedding #dresses.


How Does Brides Maid Dresses Work
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Christina Kohler

As an enthusiastic wedding planner, my goal is to furnish couples with indelible recollections of their momentous occasion. After more than ten years of experience in the field, I ensure that each wedding I coordinate is unique and characterized by my meticulous attention to detail, creativity, and a personal touch. I delight in materializing aspirations, guaranteeing that every occasion is as singular and enchanted as the love narrative it commemorates. Together, we can transform your wedding day into an unforgettable occasion that you will always remember fondly.

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30 comments

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  • Cavin, your ability to create new content is amazing! I loved this article. I LOVE Azazie!! I’ve been a bridesmaid three times so far, and I’ve used Azazie twice and Birdy Grey once. I want to have a color palette for my bridesmaids to choose from like you did, but within the same brand. But I love the way a palette looks! And the photos you used as examples were amazing! Azazie recently added a paisley and a floral print to their dress designs. I think I want to give my bridesmaids a few colors from Azazie to choose from—and I might even want one of the prints to be included too! I’ve thought about having the maid of honor in sequins or some other way to stand out…

  • I tried to link a pic to my bridesmaids but it didn’t show my comment… I told them the general color scheme (light blue or green) and let them pick whatever outfit they wanted. Two of them got long dresses and my MOH got a pant suit. I was nervous about having such different colors and fabrics together but it looked gorgeous!

  • Hi Cavin, I’m allowing my bridesmaid to choose their own dresses but one of my bridesmaids is always coming up with options which are too sexy and revealing. My ceremony will be a chapel one. This morning I have sent them an email setting out my clear expectations and offering to take over this aspect if they’re having trouble picking. Any advice on bridesmaids who chooses dresses too sexy and revealing??? 😓

  • Had my bridesmaids pick any dress in a specific color from Birdy Grey! They are a legit & amazing website created because bridesmaid dresses are overpriced & still bad quality (or cheap & worse quality). $99 was such a reasonable price for them & they got to pick (in specific fabrics as they only had 3 at that time on the site) the dress style that fit them best

  • I used Birdy Grey dresses for my bridesmaids! They were so pretty and looked amazing in photos. Here is a huge tip.. if you can, buy them during their Black Friday sale. You will be able to snag these for 50% off or more. I was so happy my bridesmaids were able to get the dresses at an affordable price for something they most likely will only wear once. 🙂

  • I used Birdy Grey for my bridesmaids. So much cheaper than basically any other bridesmaid dresses, way easier since you don’t have to try to get everyone together at one time, I just assigned the color and let them pick whatever style they wanted so everyone could be comfortable. And you can order swatches before so you can actually see in person the colors before picking. 10 out of 10 would recommend using them for any future brides.

  • I wore the third dress to a wedding! I found this dress to be perfect because I was very insecure about my under arm area and it made me feel so beautiful all night! I was also able to wear it braless (team big bitties). Also it hid my stomach very nice as well (another place I’m insecure about), I’m also a larger gal than Mia! It’s truly a good dress and looks good on all sizes!!

  • My sister is using Birdy Grey for her wedding and I just got my dress a few days ago and love it as it really is a good price for the quality!! They also have bow ties/ties/pocket squares that come in the same shades of the dresses so that the bridesmaids and groomsmen match which is also really neat

  • another really good option for formal dresses is simply dresses. full price the dresses range from $100-400, but there are always sales going on, so the dresses can be as cheap as $20, and they have a lot of color options as well. i got my bridesmaid dress from there for like $40 and it was really nice quality, even had wine spilled on me and it didnt leave a stain

  • We were planning our weddings around the same time and it just made me EVEN MORE excited about my wedding! I had my bridesmaids choose whatever dress they wanted within an ethereal/fae style from wherever, in a specific color. I’m so glad i did that i love looking at the pictures and seeing all their takes on that style.

  • girl my bridesmaids are getting their dresses off this sight since its size inclusive and i really appreciate that you made this article now and now in a few months. Gods perfect timing is a beautiful thing. i had sent them the link about 2 months ago and had them pick any style they liked but in sage green and even my maid of honor i had her pick whatever style she wanted in her shade of green. it worked out perfectly because the only requirement of them was it had to be in chiffon because that’s my favorite out of all they have on the site and also each of their styles had to be different and with only 3 bridesmaids and my maid of honor it worked perfectly they all have a different style and i cant wait to see them all in their matching colored dresses!!

  • I got married last Sept. and when I first started to look at dresses, this was one of the brands that came up. Another one that lots of people had recommended to me was Azazie but I ended up choosing a Toronto company to support local (Henkaa – if anyone is interested) as they are convertible dresses and they have multiple colours and lengths. I LOVED the idea of my girls in a style that they felt comfortable in but all in one colour. They picked them up on Black Friday sale as well. You can also cut them shorter (we got the full length) and wear them over and over. I have the shorter style in a different colour and I LOVE IT.

  • my sister in law had her sister and me choose our bridesmaids dresses from here! her wedding colors were navy and dark red and the cabernet option through them was perfect, we even ordered some free swatches first to make sure the fabrics we chose were the same shade since some fabric textures take dye differently. i was tempted by the ash dress (cowl neck, form fitting maxi with a fairly high slit) in velvet but was worried it would be a bit too risque as her family is pretty conservative… then she screenshotted the same dress to suggest to me 😂 it was a little long so i had to hem it but it fit so well and it’s a style i’ll at least reuse for like vampire costumes lol

  • I absolutely love your prom/bridesmaid dresses, so much fun and I love to live vicariously through perusal you try on so many pretty dresses. Though, I’m entering the time in my life where I’m starting to be invited to more weddings and I have no idea what I would wear, or where to shop, so please can you do a article on dresses for general wedding guests, because I feel like you would wear different kinds of dresses than bridesmaids and especially prom dresses

  • wearing birdy grey for my best friend’s wedding in may and i was really impressed with the dress! and their customer service is absolutely out of this world. i had to return then repurchase the dress outside the return window and they were so accommodating, they even gave me a discount code to zero out my total since i bought it on sale!

  • My bestie used Birdy Grey and I loved my dress! She chose a color and we picked any style. The crepe fabric was a slightly different tone than everyone else that got tuile overlay but it looked fine in pictures. I kept my dress in case I have a formal event to wear it to because it was comfy and yes, the pockets are great to have.

  • Hi Mia, that first dress in dusky pink has, what they call, an empire-style waistline. And that emerald green dress has a kind of slight waterfall neckline. Loving it that Birdy Grey also has, for us bit ‘bigger’ girls, size X3!!! Thanks sweet Birdy Grey!! And those pockets, just WAUW!!! Lots of love from Pinkie, also to Birdy Grey, love you so much XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  • So glad these dresses didn’t get roasted because I already had my bridesmaids order them! I will say if you want any the floral patterned dresses by careful because they discontinued the green floral that I had already picked for my bridesmaids and there was no warning it would be discontinued! They also don’t restock some dresses as often as others so make sure they have the sizes all your bridesmaids need in stock!

  • I LOVE these dresses! They’re all so pretty but my favorite was the third one. I’d love those for a bridesmaid dress, even the colors are beautiful. They could definitely be worn other occasions, so I think bridesmaids would be happy they could wear these again. I think they’re fairly priced and modern, without being too trendy, so you could wear it multiple times.

  • That green color was literally made for you! It looked incredible on you but the style reminds me too much of a camisole. My favorite dress is the second to last one. It’s romantic ‘off the shoulder frills and the slit! Gorgeous! I have to order from them! Thank you for letting us know it’s legit! 🤍

  • I was a bridesmaid for my cousins wedding and she just had us pick something sage green and floor length, and honestly they were so cute!! We all matched super well, esp since there was different fabrics and styles. She also bought us all silk pajamas from them and they were so freaking soft, I still wear mine all the time

  • I had my bridesmaids get the Satin Monica dress and I as an experience seamstress, I was VERY impressed. Usually satin feels cheap especially for bridesmaid places. This was silky and great quality. The dress was fully lined and very well made, and constructed in a way that alterations were easy. Had extended sizing too. Bridesmaids dresses around the $100 price point usually aren’t very nice, but these were great. Overall, affordable, well made, and flattering.

  • Hi Mia! You should consider doing a part 2 of this article by making these dresses yourself. However not just drafting, but seeing if you can find the patterns for these dresses at an affordable price. FYI in Elora, Ontario there is a thrift fabric and pattern shop I recently discovered. They were selling vintage patterns AT MOST for $5 CAD. I think it was called Studio Kampina. If you go to the top of the hill (Wellington Rd 18) it’s on the right. It’s right next door to the handsome devil bistro. All the best! 🙂

  • I got my wedding dress from Azazie based on a positive experience wearing a bridesmaid dress from their website. They have a try on program where you can order three different standard-sized dresses to try on for $15 each. That’s what I did instead of going to different bridal stores, I did an intimate family try on with the three dresses. Then you send them back, and I found the dress I ended up buying during that try-on. You can get it in a custom size for no extra charge. My dress was only $500ish dollars, and AMAZING quality, my picture perfect dream dress and SO comfortable. I think it is a great affordable, less traditional route and would recommend it to any bride. You should do a try on of Azazie wedding dresses!

  • Can you review the brand eShakti? They have affordable dresses (and other clothing) that you can customize (you can change the neckline, hem length etc). And for a small fee you can get it sewn to your measurements which I think is really cool!! I never see people reviewing it so I’m not sure how good the quality is but I’ve been wanting to check it out. I think they have bridesmaid dresses too, which would be super convenient because everyone could customize the style and measurements to their liking.

  • As someone who has spent too much money on bridesmaid dresses in the past 😅 birdy grey is a decent option price-wise. My friend had us get ours from birdy grey, I actually got the #3 dress you had on but in the dusty blue color! I never actually wore it because then covid happened and she couldn’t hold her wedding with people there 😔 THE ONLY THING IS!!! You cannot return them!!! (At least, as of the last time I made a purchase from them a couple years ago) so, double check on that just in case!

  • I picked the bridesmaid dress for my brothers wedding and I chose a convertible dress from BG (Christina, I think)! There were 5 of us and we were all able to fix it differently while still looking cohesive. I needed to alter mine because I have a very small bust but the affordability of the dress made spending money on alterations much easier.

  • Honestly, I can’t wait for you to one day be pregnant so you can help us start the uproar about how hard it is to find cute and affordable maternity clothes! Or even start your own line. I’m 8 months pregnant and struggling so much. I just want to look and feel cute, I miss my clothes! Almost all maternity is exclusively sold online, which is hit or miss even when not pregnant! Not enough stores cater to in person shopping for expecting moms, and the ones that do, it’s just not that cute. Targets maternity section looks like they are dressing a pregnant 60 year old. It’s been so depressing. Sorry I had to rant real quick lol

  • My friend is getting married in October and is using Birdy Grey – I had initially ordered the Alex dress in a size small (according to the size chart) and it fit like a glove everywhere but the stomach looked so unflattering on me. I have a bit of a stomach, as most women do, and it just accentuated it. After trying to size up in the dress and it still being unflattering on the stomach, I just settled for a different style.

  • Thank you for taking the time to review the dresses :). As a stylist and designer, I regret to say that all of the dresses, except for the last one, appear to be of poor quality . This is evident from the waist detailing of the first dress and the adjustable straps of the second dress, which should only be worn under clothing. Additionally, the way the satin hangs and moves on the body, especially at the bottom of the dress, also suggests poor quality. I hope this information is helpful. If you would like a response article, I would be happy to provide one.