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!

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...

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).

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

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.

Only just spotted how old this thread is. Oops.