Bridesmaid dresses - NOTHING suitable?

[kaykayblue]

I would be really grateful for any advice on where people are getting their bridesmaid dresses from, and view points on some issues I'm worrying about.

At first I was just having one bridesmaid, and I told her she could wear whatever the hell she wanted, provided it was one of three colours. Then I got a second bridesmaid, and I said the same to her, but to let me know before either of them bought anything so I could check they wouldn't clash hideously. I am paying for the dresses, so would like to spend under £100 if at all possible. That doesn't seem to be possible though...

Is this an insane approach? I keep seeing online how the dresses need to have something that pulls them together. I was thinking "maybe same hairstyle" but one girl has chin length hair and the other, waist length.

As an added complication, my fiancé's younger sister has indicated she would like to wear something similar to the bridal party, so can she have an idea of what she should wear. I am happy for her to be a bridesmaid even, except I don't want to have to pay for a third dress, and I can't advise her what to wear as I have no fucking clue!

When I only had one bridesmaid I was happy for her to have something really spectacular, but now there are two, I can't afford to spend £200 on each dress.

Any advice HUGELY appreciated. I'm getting more and more stressed about it!

[WanderingNotLost]

Only just spotted how old this thread is. Oops.

[WanderingNotLost]

There's an Etsy supplier called thedaintyard who make very reasonably priced multiway dresses in loads of colours. They also have a facebook profile and thousands of positive reviews.

[Kel1234]

I got my bridesmaid's dress from quiz clothing (was about £70), a nice maxi dress with some sparkle, in my chosen colour (we talked about colour and I asked if she'd be happy to wear my chosen colour, and she said yes).
When I was a bridesmaid at my mums second wedding, I also got a maxi dress from quiz clothing for about the same price.
(We both only had 1 bridesmaid by choice though).
I thought they were very reasonable, and my friend looked beautiful I thought. I didn't see the need to spend a fortune on it, and i refused to let her buy her own dress

[MimiSunshine]

Have you looked at high street stores online? Warehouse always do nice party dresses, Lipsy have quite glamourise evening dresses that aren't extortionate.

If you're thinking shorter rather than full length what about this?

dress

I would send them a couple examples of dresses you're thinking and ask them to see if they can find something similar within budget (or suggest they can top up if it's over £100 but they really love it).

[kaykayblue]

Thanks Sashh, unfortunately sewing does not run in our genes, and I don't know anyone who can sew clothes to a high enough standard for a wedding.

I've found a couple of good things on ASOS, but they are currently full price for just over £100. I have book marked them and and hoping to snap them up the second the go on sale...

[sashh]

Do you they have anyone who can sew? You could just get some really nice materiel and send it to them, tell them to have it made in to what they want.

I went to a wedding where the bride's sister and 2 nieces were maid of honour flower girls. The MoH wore a suit and the two little girls dresses made from the same material. It worked really well.

[LittleMachine]

I got mine from Little Mistress. They have concessions in Dorothy Perkins and a massive range online.

I saw them on the Lorraine show of all places!

[everygalaxy]

We are having ophelia dresses from lindybop - they come in lots of colours and are very flattering (and only £44 each!)

[FourAndDone]

This is the short style, though they do a floor length and in a range of colours.
m.bhs.co.uk/mt/www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/wedding-1020484/adult-bridesmaids-1020513/merlot-short-twist-wrap-dress-1066419?bi=25&ps=24

[FourAndDone]

My bridesmaid has had the twist and wrap maxi dress from bhs. It's great, it has about 12 different styles that can be made from the one dress think it was about £80. I'll try and find a link

[tethersend]

What size are they?

This is lovely.

[kaykayblue]

Mrs Lettuce - that first dress you posted is GORGEOUS, and it's silver and navy, so would technically work! AND it would fit in with the vintage theme.

I'm trying to canvass views.....!

Will check out others now

[kaykayblue]

Thanks for all the extra advice people!

I am checking out the websites and links that you guys have kindly suggested.

I really liked the idea of saying to them "pick out whatever your favourite dresses are and show me pics - if there's one that would work we'll go with that". That way I know they will feel comfortable in the dress they are wearing, none of us have to shop around, and I know it would work for the wedding. The only problem is that I would feel totally cheap not buying them a new dress for the occasion (even though I don't think they would care at all), and my dad was saying it would be weird to have them in completely different dresses.

I will see if I can find anything to suggest to them!!

[youmakemydreams]

I just bought 4 dresses in Debenhams sale for £60 for all 4.
I was looking for a dress for myself to wear to a function and came across them and the sale stuff is buy one get one half price they were originally £89 each.

[shoopshoopsong]

I got mine made by Dig For Victory (search dig for victory clothing Brighton) she makes new dresses out of vintage fabric and patterns. Think bespoke is a bit over £100 but ready made ones in her shop are about that.

[GerbilsAteMyCat]

You can just give them a colour palette and a budget an leave them to it. Why don't you suggest to fiance's younger sister that you'll get her flowers that match the wedding party (little bouquet or something?) and that will tie everyone together.
I had 3 bridesmaids from 3 diverse locations who were all different shappes. I asked them to bring a dress they liked and I gave them all matching necklaces and flowers.
We had a low budget and this seemed to solve the problem!

[Crumbelina]

I agree - the official ones are a rip off. Ted Baker sale (if it's on). I got my dresses reduced from £200 to £100.

[MrsLettuce]

silver
deep red
another navy one
two colours available

[EstellaSpitsEmOut]

I've been bridesmaid twice this year. First bought for me was from Coast and second I chose from Debenhams. Both were gorgeous, and I would wear again. Both under £100. Good luck!

[MrsLettuce]

this is neither red nor gold but it's a real stunner. sizes 6 - 12 left

[TessTackle]

www.diydress.co.uk/wedding-apparel/wedding-party-dresses/bridesmaid-dresses/?gclid=CNP-i5aJx8ACFcrjwgodbwcABQ clicky link fail

[TessTackle]

[[http://www.diydress.co.uk/wedding-apparel/wedding-party-dresses/bridesmaid-dresses/?gclid=CNP-i5aJx8ACFcrjwgodbwcABQ diydress] you select the colour, measure yourself then make your order. Ours only took a couple of weeks to arrive.

[TessTackle]

diydress.com is where we got ours.
Shouldn't really post a pic but feel your pain!

[kaykayblue]

Thanks for the tips ladies! I looked at monsoon a couple of days ago, but didn't see much. I didn't know bhs did a selection and it never even occured to me to look in mango!

I'll check them out, thank you!

It's me who is struggling to see anything I like for less than £100 - maybe I am just super picky. I really like this one HERE from modcloth, but would prefer it in dark red. Or gold.

Shopping together...nervous laughter....we all live in different countries...

Maybe I should give them a length and narrow it down to two colours, and then just let them worry about it...