How much is “too much” to ask your bridesmaids to spend on a dress?

Personally I think that's too much. But, that all depends on your bridesmaids and what they're willing to pay/ can afford to pay. I myself wouldn't want to pay that much for the dress. But if it were a good friend's wedding, i certainly would. I would check with the salon and see if it may go on sale anytime soon (sometimes they run different promotions throughout the year). Or maybe you can find something very similar somewhere else that's a bit cheaper?

That’s an extremely expensive dress. “Too much” of course, is more than your particular set of bridesmaids are interested in paying — so it will vary, but it’s a conversation to have with your individual bridesmaids. To ME, an almost $300 dress is too much, and it’s not a matter of be being able to afford it or saving up, it’s a matter of spending a ton of money on a dress that I’ll only wear for a few hours and since I didn’t pick it out , I’ll probably never wear again. I guess I’d pay for a good friend’s dream choice but I really would not be happy about it.

That's way too much in my opinion. I don't think a bridesmaid dress should go over $150 TOPS. She has a lot of time to save but that's also money she could be saving for other things. If you are comfortable financially I'd say you pay half of it for your bridesmaids.

I cant imagine asking my girls to spend that much on a dress. I felt guilty when my MoH ended up with a $199 dress. my other 2 opted for the $99 option.

If you are really set on that dress, I agree with PP that you should pay the difference. we paid for most of the guys kilts because they are so much more expensive than a tux (specific tartan cost roughly $325.)

If you are okay with choosing a different dress, it would probably be better to try to find something a bit cheaper. Azazie and JJs House are good starting points.

I would be very unhappy to be expected to pay over $300 for a dress (by the time you include tax and alterations if needed) that I would be wearing for only a short time and likely never wear again. That is almost the full price of my wedding dress. Too many people live paycheck to paycheck (whether or not they will ever admit it) and $300 is a pretty big chunk of change. If my friend asked me if I could afford it I would say yes only because financial issues can be embarrassing and difficult to discuss/admit. I would try to find something in a lower price point or be willing to pay a portion of each of your girls dresses (not just the one who can't afford it).

That's super expensive for a bridesmaid's dress. I paid $130 after alteration, and I think that was expensive. I am only asking my girls to pay $130 for theirs.

$295 is a lot for bridesmaids dresses. Everyone may not be able to do that price. Talk to your bridesmaids about it and maybe you can agree of a price for the bridesmaids dresses.

You really need to ask your girls they budget and pick a dress within that (saving room for alterations). I could be told I have a decade to save and I would still think $295 is too much to spend on a dress (especially before alterations).

If one of your friends can't afford a $300 dress, you should pay for hers or at least some of it. Alterations typically cost me around $100, then shoes & jewelry & hair and makeup, and travel & hotel & bach & bridal shower & gift. I personally would not be interested in paying $300 for a dress I'll wear once even if I had 10 years to save for it. And if I did pay $300, I'd 100% expect the bride to pay for shoes, hair and makeup, jewelry, transportation, and a ton of other parts of the wedding.

View Quoted Comment Oh my gosh! That is the same dress I want! The reason it worked out is cause I messaged them and they said they have sales often. For Labor Day they had one for 20% off so it dropped it down to like $217! And then I’m just gonna have do alterations for free since she knows very well how to do them!

View Quoted Comment I’d rather start looking now, than later.
I don’t think it’s really fair to tell someone when they are allowed to start looking at bridesmaid dresses.

View Quoted Comment I didn’t have that problem. I fully understood that it’s ONE day. You should not go broke or into debt for a one day event. There are still bills to be paid the day, week, and month after.

View Quoted Comment

My exact thought!!!

You also don't know what is going to happen in 2 years. I asked everyone a year out to be my bridesmaid and I picked a dress and 2 of my bridesmaids are going to be very pregnant and I knew a dress like that would be uncomfortable and unflattering to the bump. I went with a more loose and flattering dress

View Quoted Comment 100% agree with this.

If you have to have it..you should foot the bill.

Hi! So, yes, I would ask and clarify with all but it appears that majority of your group is fine with it. My girls said $300 was their max. I don’t find $295 to be expensive at all although, I am trying to find a dress way below that price. I’d say go for it, let her know she has time or again, offer to pay if it’s really a stretch for her.

View Quoted Comment I just found other options through other retailers since I still think that’s too much. I’m uncomfortable asking them to pay even $150.

Id say just because she has 2 years to save, does not mean she is able to save. You dont know her financials. $295 is alot for a dress, and that does not even include alterations. I say ask everyones budget and find a cheaper dress or have them pick their own in the color you want. They dont need to be wearing the same style

I think that's way too high. If you love the dress and you're fine paying for them - i would just tell the brides what dress you like and pay for it, then they don't have to worry and you get what you want.

If that's not in the budget you need to ask them before you pick anything out what their budgets are. There's no way I'd pay $300 for a BM dress.

I think $200 is a good amount personally.. I was in a wedding and wanted to spend under $200, but the dress was closer to $250 and I went with it anyways. I was too exhausted to shop anymore lol