Bridesmaid Cost - how much can I ask them to spend?

@Rachel, the practice of the BM's buying their dress has been the norm since before you were born.

If it's a 'burden' to them they can always decline being a bridesmaid.

You may claim to be in the US but you don't seem to know the wedding customs here very well.

I'm doing what @christa suggested. I told my girls to wear short black dresses and black shoes. I figured that gives them the choice to wear something they already own, or to purchase something at whatever price point they're comfortable with. We're having a DW, so I wanted to limit their expenses as much as possible since they're already paying for travel.

I semi-agree with Rachel.

Only in that I think it should not be the custom of bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, even though it definitely IS the custom.

I bought all my girls dresses, hair, jewelry, and makeup. Granted, I also asked them ALL to travel to a not cheap destination.

Ask them. I did my best to find the cheapest dress at DB for them ($80) and anything else is their choice what they want to wear (boots, jewelry, hair, etc)