Is $225 Too High for Bridesmaids Dresses?

Way to much

I think my girls spent $200 (or a little under) on their dress and they were willing to pay up to $250. I don't think it's too much money as long as you checked in and asked how much they could afford.

I have to agree that that is a bit high, especially before alterations. I would check places like David's or Azazie to see if there is a similar design for cheaper!

Yeah definitely, for sure on the pricey side.

Yikes. That's pricey but I'd also consider their budgets

The last wedding I was a bridesmaid in, the bride told us the dress she wanted and the color-and 4/5 of us got it used from ebay or poshmark. So that's an option instead of buying it new from the bridal shop. The dress she wanted was a BHLDN dress which new was $250 and I bought it for $90 off poshmark. I used hem tape since it was too long, and then resold it again for $50. So be flexible with your girls if they are going to try to use this option.

I could afford a $225 dress, but I'd be annoyed to spend that much since I'd literally never wear it again. I prefer to spend under $200 for dress + alterations + shoes + jewelry since bridesmaids have to cover bachelorette, bridal shower, traveling to the wedding, wedding gift, etc. I think the only way $225 would be okay would be if every single bridesmaid individually told you they were 100% okay paying that. I gave my bridesmaids a color/fabric/length from Azazie and they picked their own dress $89-$169 (cheaper if they ordered during a sale). They picked their own shoes & jewelry. I still paid for hair and makeup and transportation and lunch and breakfast, and contributed to my bachelorette and my mother paid for my entire shower.

That is objectively a very expensive one-time-use dress. But it doesn't matter what strangers on the internet think is expensive or reasonable. It matters how the actual people paying feel. Please ask them each privately how much they are comfortable spending and don't forget to keep in mind the cost of alterations and all the other things that add up. Once you know their budgets, choose a dress that falls within the lowest budget.

It's very nice of you to pay for their hotel room but paying for hair and makeup doesn't cancel out a pricey dress, because hair and makeup is totally an optional expense.

IMO, 100% yes that's too much. You need to ask all your girls individually what their budgets are for the dresses (including estimated alterations) and find one that is priced below the lowest budget you get back.

Nope I think that’s reasonable for a dress as long as they said it’s within their budget!

View Quoted Comment I love this one wedding I was in, brides request was a long gold sequin dress. Got a $400 dress on clearance at Bloomingdales for $48. Beading was off and a small tear. My mom actually fixed the beading and the tear. It looked amazing at the wedding...and then I returned it lol I do not sweat, I was pregnant so did minimal dancing and I returned it in a much better condition than when I bought it. Lol I know shame on me but oh well