In this time of a rough economy, brides need to consider the pocketbooks of those girls they ask to be their bridesmaid. The best thing a bride can do is to not have the bridesmaids pay a cent for their dresses. If you should choose to make this choice, here are some options to consider.
Make their dresses. Most brides have someone in their lives who would love to sew dresses for you in lieu of a wedding present. So go ahead and ask your aunt or your friend who you know loves to sew to make your bridesmaid dresses. Purchase a couple of bolts of polysester washable satin fabric, and find a simple pattern that will look good on everyone. Also have your dress maker make pattern alterations so that everyone has a great fit.
Raid their closets. Have all of your bridesmaids bring over their best and favorite party or cocktail dresses in a given color so that you can see them together. If girls have multiple dresses in that color, it can be very helpful, and they may even be able to swap and loan each other dresses for the wedding. Black or white would be easiest to coordinate, but reds, blues, greens, and yellows would work well too. Too help them coordinate, provide matching shawls or sashes.
Have them wear their old bridesmaid dresses. If you have seen the move 27 dresses, you will remember that at the end, the bride had each of her bridesmaids wear their own horrible bridesmaid dresses to her wedding. Have your wedding party girls bring out their old bridesmaid dresses, and if they have more than one, that is even better. Also ask bridesmaids if they can borrow and ask fellow bridesmaids from previous weddings for their dresses. Also give them the option of bring prom dresses and other formals Check for stains and rips. Consider minor alterations, and making all the dresses the same length. Have fun with it. Once the girls have chosen which of their dresses, based on which ones will coordinate best with each other, add a sash or shawl that unifies them.
Have the bridesmaids wear everyday clothes. One of the most striking wedding pictures I have seen had all of the bridesmaids wearing sleeveless white tops and black knee length skirts and black shoes. The bride then added long satin magenta sashes that they wore around the waist. Even if they have to purchase an item to meet the dress code, it’s not like they won’t be able to integrate the item in their wardrobe.