How Much Should Bridesmaids Spend on Their Dresses?

Being a bridesmaid comes with major benefits, including an invite to the bachelorette party, day-of glam, and so many other perks. While it's a free backstage pass to all things wedding-related, there are certain costs most bridesmaids will have to pay, chief among them being the wedding day ensemble.

In general, the bridal party will typically consist of individuals who are willing to be there for the bride for every moment, including helping with angsty guest list decisions and wine-fueled nights assembling invitations. So for brides who are currently looking for a beautiful bridesmaid dress for their squad, it's important to keep the budget in mind, especially since your crew will be sacrificing both time and money for this role. But how much does the average bridal party dress actually cost? The short answer: it depends.

Ahead, we put together a simple guide to help break down the costs of these special outfits. Read on to find out how much is too much to ask a bridesmaid to spend.

How to Determine the Cost of a Bridesmaid Dress

The cost of a bridesmaid dress will always vary, as this expense should be dependent on what a bridal party is able to afford. Therefore, before you start looking for inspiration, it's important to consult with your crew to see how much they can actually spend. Yes, talking about money is tough, but the thoughtfulness of asking for their input will outweigh any awkward feelings. To make it easy, you can even offer a few price ranges: $100 to $200, $200 to $350, and $350+.

Not so comfortable discussing financials? If the winning dress costs a little more than someone can afford, offer to pay for the difference, cover alteration costs, or gift them accessories or hair and makeup services. This should also be a consideration if you’re requiring that they wear a specific shoe or have their hair and makeup professionally done. Can’t squeeze that extra money out of your budget? If you can’t afford it then your bridesmaids may not be able to either, so it might be worth finding a couple of less-expensive options.

How to Save Money on Bridesmaid Dresses

If the price is something you’re really worried about—which can happen for many reasons, including when your bridesmaids are at different stages, or if they have dramatically different incomes, family scenarios, and different outlooks on spending—there are a few creative ways to help your besties save some cash when it comes buying an amazing look.

Look for Pre-Owned Dresses

If you're in love with a certain gown but know it's a little expensive, see if you can find the look on eBay or Poshmark. Picture this: If your dream dress is around $300 and four of the five bridesmaids are comfortable with that price tag, you could possibly go online and find the fifth dress for your girl who's on a tighter budget! With a little luck, you may be able to even secure the gown in the right size. She'll appreciate the thoughtfulness, and the other bridesmaids will never have to know.

Consider Mismatched Looks

Choose a specific color (or color palette), plus a style detail—think length, neckline, fabric, or aesthetic—and let your bridal besties pick their own ensembles. Embracing the trend of mismatched bridesmaid dresses will let each of them choose a look everyone loves, all while respecting the budget.

What's more, this is helpful "because there is nothing worse than being uncomfortable with what you are wearing. One style of dress won’t work on five different body types," shares personal shopper and stylist Elisabeth Kassab. "If they are going to be in these dresses for hours on end, it’s important that the bridesmaids are confident in what they are wearing." Just be sure to ask them to send a picture of their look to ensure everyone’s designs mesh (and to avoid duplicates).

Try Renting

If you're more in love with traditional bridesmaid styles, you can always ask your bridal party to rent. Rent the Runway has a designated page of bridesmaid favorites (think Badgley Mischka and Twobirds) that would make coordinating those mismatched gowns that much easier. The great thing about rentals is that the price is lower and your girls won’t end up with a one-hit-wonder hanging in the back of their closets. (That's definitely a win-win!)