Bridesmaid Dresses....

bluesmurf

I am at a loss trying to find nice bridesmaid dresses, that dont cost a fortune,

Also is it normal for shops not to include alterations to be included in the price....

I have a shop that has quoted me €500 for 3 dresses which does not include the alternations , now they are lovely dresses and my bridesmaids are headover heals about them, but when I asked the shop owner for a rough idea on what extra cost the alterations come to, she couldnt give me an idea!!!!

How is someone to work on their wedding budget when they dont have a rough idea what the total cost will come to......

Does anyone out their have any experience in this, am I been conned,

Would I be better ordering dresses on line or getting them made from scratch..


Desperately seeking advice on this. Please help me on this....

Regards
Bluesmurf... :o:o:o

lazygal

I ordered a BM dress online, after sending the BM a few pictures. We then went to an alterations place on Abbey Street in Dublin and the woman there did a fab job (took it in a full size and also had to deal with beadwork). Total cost for dress and alterations was about 100euro. As I couldn't see my BM wearing the dress ever again (despite what a lot of brides say about 'allowing' their bridesmaids to keep the dress as some sort of treat) I decided from the outset not to spend a fortune. True enough, it was only worn once. I think you'd be better off shopping around or getting the alterations price in writing so you know where you stand money wise. You are also not obliged to go with the shop for alterations, you might get it done cheaper elsewhere.

Sleepy

My fiancée got hers in Coast. Was just over €300 for the three dresses...

Chocoholic84

bluesmurf wrote: »

I am at a loss trying to find nice bridesmaid dresses, that dont cost a fortune,

I have a shop that has quoted me €500 for 3 dresses which does not include the alternations

I don't think that's a fortune? I would actually say that's pretty reasonable for a normal shop! Mine in the shop cost €250 each...but I ended up getting them online for less than half the price...

How is someone to work on their wedding budget when they dont have a rough idea what the total cost will come to.....

It all depends on what work needs to be done with them...shortened, taken in, etc...all dressmakers charge different prices as well...

Does anyone out their have any experience in this, am I been conned?

I wouldn't say you're being conned...

Would I be better ordering dresses on line or getting them made from scratch..

You should definitely look into getting online - make sure it's from a reputable site like RK Bridal, which is where I got mine from! They took about 2 months to deliver, got charged customs also (€70 for 3 dresses - still worked out way cheaper than buying in shop)

EDIT: Actually I second Debenhams also! Some fab dresses in there.

ABajaninCork

Why don't you try Debenhams? They've always got sales and specials on, and you can get nice dresses for a reasonable price. My friend recently got married and got three lovely dresses reduced from E150 to E75!!

Alterations needn't cost a lot either. Ask around for decent seamstresses. How about the shop you got your dress from? Would they be able to do the BM dresses at a good rate?

Hope this helps!

Dolbert

I found mine in Debenhams on sale, definitely worth a look. Dresselicious are pretty good value, they're based in Waterford and are meant to be decent enough. Adverts.ie and Donedeal often have sets of bridesmaids dresses too.

bluesmurf

Thank you everyone for your lovely replies, Ill look into the online and waterford store, Its all so new to me and I really didnt want someone taking advantage to us, you hear of all the horror stories.. xxxxx

Minier81

500 for 3 is pretty typical to be honest, and the alteration usually extra too. Most bridal shops give discounts if you buy BM dresses - 10% is what I was offered. If you want a bargain get down to Kildare village and look in Coast/Monsoon there. Even look at shops with sales on for bargains dresses: Coast, Debenhams, Monsoon

Sleepy

TBH, I think it's madness paying over €100 for a bridesmaids dress. They'll never be worn again. No matter how often you hear girls saying the dresses are great because they'll get another wear out of them, I've never actually heard of a girl getting a second wear out of the dress!

Malari

Sleepy wrote: »

TBH, I think it's madness paying over €100 for a bridesmaids dress. They'll never be worn again. No matter how often you hear girls saying the dresses are great because they'll get another wear out of them, I've never actually heard of a girl getting a second wear out of the dress!

Depends on how "bridesmaidy" they are I plan on getting mine in Warehouse or Oasis or somewhere like that and hopefully wearing it again.

Sleepy

My other half and her bridesmaids chose the dresses in Coast on that basis. It might happen as they're not full-length bridesmaid gowns but I wouldn't bet any serious money on it!

Bobsammy

I got mine in Debenhams this weekend for €99 each, down from €175. I know I'm biased but I think they're fab! They're not really 'bridesmaidy' dresses, so the girls might get another wear out of them.
I walked town on Saturday - Arnotts, BTs, Debenhams etc - and there was lots available for between €100 and €150 a dress.

movingsucks

Sleepy wrote: »

TBH, I think it's madness paying over €100 for a bridesmaids dress. They'll never be worn again. No matter how often you hear girls saying the dresses are great because they'll get another wear out of them, I've never actually heard of a girl getting a second wear out of the dress!

People pay mad money for wedding dresses too and they're never worn again either.:-)

I did get second wear out of a bridesmaid dress for a charity ball thing And my sister wore it to her debs but that said I don't know why there isn't a bigger rental market I suppose it's too hard to have all the colours and sizes available.

My poor wedding dress is yellowing away somewhere.

Neyite

On the subject of alterations, dressmaking is a very labour intensive process, and tailoring a ready made dress can be very time consuming, and naturally quite important to get it right, or it will never hang right or might pucker and will look a mess in photos. In addition, working with the usually delicate fabrics used in these type of dresses means that you need someone who is skilled and experienced at these alterations and will do it right the first time.

While I'm not saying you should spend a fortune on alterations, finding someone who is absurdly cheap might end up being a bigger headache if they ruin your dresses on you.

CurranBun

I purchased 5 BM dresses & flowergirl dress from dressingpod.com.
Its a website that make dresses from scratch.
I payed €550 for all dresses including customs.

Was a risk to be honest as you cant see the dress in front of you, but went for it.

And they are amazing, the quality is 2nd to none.
Would reccomend it if you have that option.

Also to advise the cost of alterations can be high for a good seamstress, as it does require allot of time and dedication from them. So i wouldnt be surprised if it was expensive.

Millem

bluesmurf wrote: »

I am at a loss trying to find nice bridesmaid dresses, that dont cost a fortune,

Also is it normal for shops not to include alterations to be included in the price....

I have a shop that has quoted me €500 for 3 dresses which does not include the alternations , now they are lovely dresses and my bridesmaids are headover heals about them, but when I asked the shop owner for a rough idea on what extra cost the alterations come to, she couldnt give me an idea!!!!

How is someone to work on their wedding budget when they dont have a rough idea what the total cost will come to......

Does anyone out their have any experience in this, am I been conned,

Would I be better ordering dresses on line or getting them made from scratch..


Desperately seeking advice on this. Please help me on this....

Regards
Bluesmurf... :o:o:o

I plan on ordering mine from http://www.houseofbrides.com/
If you do want to order from the states and time is on your side wait til
Black friday after thanksgiving as there will big reductions on that day! (23rd November!) they sell all the brands e.g dessy etc so you could try on dresses in Ireland then order so you know what you are getting! If you want to buy in Ireland I would recommend Kildare village with coast, Karen millen and fran and Jane! My sis got ours there paid €120 each, didnt need any alterations just bought our size!

ABajaninCork

Bluesmurf: Debs have a half price sale on now if you're interested!

mollybird

i got my bridesmaid dresses from dressingpod.com also. Dresses were amazing. one of my girls have tried on her dress and she loved it completly. i have to get a small bit of alterations done for it but for the money i saved on the cost of the dresses i can use for the alterations. i'm going to shop around for prices of alterations.

hoodwinked

it depends on what type of bridesmaid dress you want,


i got married in the summer so we got away with shorter dresses than full length,


paid €165 for all three from new look....

they were this brand but looked only a little bit different to this:

http://www.little-mistress.co.uk/product.php?id_product=444



if you look around you can find some gorgeous dresses for almost nothing. i think once you look in bridal shops the price is doubled, where on the high street you get better value for money for the same dresses.

bluesmurf

Thanks a million to everyone on all your advice, Ill take it all onboard as I make my decision, Ill have to way up the pros and cons on ordering on line to buying in a shop.

Thanks a million, anyone else out there has any advice please feel free to drop a post

Regards
Bluesmuff....xxxx

ynul31f47k6b59

I got mine on Dresselicious for just under 70 each including delivery.

One of my bridesmaids tried on a Dessy in a bridal shop and the Dresselicious is every bit as good quality and hangs even better. I got the one-shoulder chiffon ones, they're gorgeous.

I personally would not pay 500 for 3 dresses.

Emeraldy Pebbles

My friend got lovely bridesmaid dresses in Monsoon at 90 Euro a pop. They weren't as "finished" as more expensive ones so we all got proper undies to wear under so there'd be no VPL but the colour was beautiful and they were lovely! No need to break the bank for bridesmaid dresses, IMO. Most bridemaids will just thank you for not dressing them like a meringue!

missgroovy21

I would avoid debhnams coast etc like the plague cuz everyone goes to those shops for wedding outfits and ive heard of guests turning up to weddings in the same outfits as the bridesmaids (you dont want that) now you could still buy the dreses (esp in sales my friend got her bridesmaid dresses in debhnams for 50e each and re designed them, added diamonds and a sash to change the look) or you could be original and design them yourself and get them made from scratch, just look out for material on sale in hickeys etc. good luck

Gatica

Got a Dessy dress for my bridesmaid in Wedding World in Galway. Was 160 Euro, same dress in another shop was 220. So make sure you check around different shops in your area!

macbookair

Would you not consider renting the bridesmaid dresses, there are lots of boutiques now offering great deals for three day rentals.

silly

I got mine from www.lightinthebox.com

You choose the style of dress you like and pick from tons of different colours to suit your theme.
I think mine cost about €80 each, can't remember the cost of post, i dont think it was very expensive anyway. and I don't think I got any additional customs charges either

summer breezer

I heard the new Jenny Packham collection for Debenhams includes some gorgeous dresses that are ideal bridesmaid dresses, one of my friends got hers there, they are grecian light green dresses.

annabella26

just a random question, has anyone come across any nice yellow/lemon bridesmaids dresses on their searches? finding it really hard to source them without payn 250 quid + for them

Jewow

I've been on the search all this week with my bridesmaids and the dresses that we love are 250 euro each! they are by mori lee and are gorgeous, I had only budgeted 200 for each dress but looking around I couldn't see anything nice anywhere in Dundrum or in the few 'bridesmaids' shops I looked in. I migth search and see do any other shops do that brand for cheaper, although if it;s not near me then it'll cost as much in petrol and time,

Also most places I went to quoted between €50 & €70 for alterations per dress.

doriansmith

I've ordered my bridesmaids dresses on Etsy. Worked out at €80 per dress including delivery but I may also get stung for customs. No idea how they'll turn out but the seller has a lot of reviews and almost all positive so I'm hoping I've gotten a bargain!

ABajaninCork

Seller might mark as a gift or samples, but don't bet on it! Allow 30% Customs charges if you're unlucky. Bear in mind the parcel won't be released until it's paid.

Moonbeam

We went down to Magic Moments in Carlow at the weekend and I am delighted with what we got and ho much it cost.
They do not keep everything that they sell in stock and a lot of the dresses are custom made,she had dresses starting at about 60 euro and loads of custom made ones for 150, it is well worth a look.

bluesmurf

Jewow wrote: »

I've been on the search all this week with my bridesmaids and the dresses that we love are 250 euro each! they are by mori lee and are gorgeous, I had only budgeted 200 for each dress but looking around I couldn't see anything nice anywhere in Dundrum or in the few 'bridesmaids' shops I looked in. I migth search and see do any other shops do that brand for cheaper, although if it;s not near me then it'll cost as much in petrol and time,

Also most places I went to quoted between €50 & €70 for alterations per dress.

Hi Its hard shopping for bridesmaid dresses,

I went to clane in Kildare to a shop called Glamour Dresses Jan there was lovely and she has a lovely range of dresses to suit everyone, Im delighted with my dresses I got them for €500 for the three dresses...

Best of Luck

ladyella

I got my bridesmaid dresses in Tk Maxx, they got so many compliments on the day because the colour and style weren't typically bridesmaidy. They were 70euro each so definitely worth keeping an eye out in there