can a bride wear a bridesmaid dress?

Yep - no problem. I'm wearing a bridesmaid dress because I am having a beach wedding and I don't like the beach wedding gowns - they look too skimpy. Your dress does not have to be white or ivory. A "blush" color will look lovely as well. See below.

check out this great link:

http://budgetbride.tumblr.com/post/85914814/bridesmaid-dresses-as-wedding-gowns

Wow, now i feel tons better and these pictures you're all posting are amazing dresses. if you hadnt told me i would have assumed they were bridal gowns.

i'll start looking for some dresses and once i find one i love i'll post it here for opinions.

thanks everyone!!

I haven't read any of the other posts but my dress is actually a bridesmaids dress that i ordered in white! I love it so much and it SO doesn't look like a bridesmaid dress at all. I saved so much money. I paid 230, and then 125 for alterations.

My dress

Of course you can! Wear what you love and what you feel good in!

I say go for it! If you have a David's Bridal near you, or you can even go on their website, they have some floor length gowns that are simple and are only a few hundred dollars. Also if you want to go on their website be sure to check out their sale and outlet part, the dresses are really affordable and simple! Here's a few link to the davids bridal website to dresses that are simple

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_A-line-with-embroidered-tulle-overlay-and-matching-satin-sash-at_Sale-Sale-Bridal-Gowns

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_T8722-T8722_Sale-Sale-Bridal-Gowns

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-Slim-Gown-with-Twist-Straps-and-Side-Drape-SAS1200_Sale-Sale-Bridal-Gowns

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-Pleated-Drop-Waist-Bodice-with-Pick-up-Skirt-9SAS1203_Sale-Sale-Bridal-Gowns

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Taffeta-Gown-with-Draped-Bodice-SAS1205_Sale-Sale-Bridal-Gowns

All under $300, the first 2 or 3 are $299.99

Here are few that I found on Davids Bridal. They would work as a Brides gown.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Satin-A-line-with-Pleated-Chiffon-Bodice-F13573_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Satin-and-Organza-Gown-with-Beaded-Inset-F12385_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Slim-Charmeuse-Gown-with-Ruched-Waist-F14227_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Satin-Dress-with-Chiffon-Floral-Bodice-F14207_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Long-Bridesmaid-Dresses

If you do go through with David's Bridal.. stay away from getting alterations done there!!! They overcharge like crazy for alterations!!!

@Chelsea, exactly. That is the reason they can sell dresses for great prices. They make up for it in alterations.

And that's where we all know where to go to get a good deal on a dress and not get ripped off by their alterations and go somewhere else for alterations!

You can and I've seen it done ... if it works, and you feel great, then go for it! Honestly if my wedding wasn't so formal, I'd be wearing a white bm dress in a heartbeat ...

It is your wedding day. You should wear what you want. Too many times I hear brides getting ready for their ceremony saying that they bought something someone else liked/thought was better and didn't get what they wanted. I think this is so sad. The bride should get what she wants no matter what everyone else says/thinks.