Even though the family of the bride used to be expected to pay for her wedding, that is no longer the case in modern times. In fact, even the bridesmaids now commonly pay for their own dresses, shoes, and accessories. Astonishingly, only two percent of bridesmaid dresses are worn again after the wedding. That is why it is important to figure out where to find cheap bridesmaid dresses, as the cost for a one time use dress should not break the bank.
The bridesmaid dress shopping experience should be similar to shopping for prom dresses, which is considered to be a fun, social activity. Not only should all the bridesmaids be there, but the bride should be as well. While it may be tempting to pick out only the most expensive dresses, the bridesmaids should discuss beforehand how much money they are looking to spend on dresses. Figuring out where to find cheap bridesmaid dresses before shopping helps, too, as some stores and bridal shops are too expensive for many to even consider.
Many people also believe that the bridesmaid dresses need to completely match the bridal gown design. This is not necessarily true, but many brides do not want their bridesmaids wearing dresses that do not even fit in with the wedding. To some degree the dresses should match bridal gowns, possibly in length or formality, but they do not have to match completely. They also do not have to match in color, as matching colors is just a preference. For example, even though 20 percent of couples have a shade of purple in their wedding color palate, this does not mean that the dresses must be purple. This allows for more freedom in choosing bridesmaid dresses, as more options then become available. Additionally, this permits more choices in determining where to find cheap bridesmaid dresses.
Bridesmaid dresses do not have to be as expensive as many people think they are. Times are changing, after all, and by putting the responsibility of purchasing bridesmaids dresses on the bridesmaids, it allows for less traditional standards to be required. After all, back in the early 20th century, the bridal party banged pots and pans outside of the home of the bride and groom to wake them up. Many wedding customs are just not the same anymore, and neither should how much you pay for a bridesmaid dress.