Low cost wedding-my idea for bridesmaid dresses.?

Question

My fiance and I are having a low cost wedding, and I feel that since my girls are all like me (not a lot of extra cash to toss around) I thought since they have to buy their dresses, to make them just pick a plain, black dress, and just have them wear matching rock-a-billy type mary janes and flowers tucked behind their ears. We are getting married in a church, though, and all of the guys will be wearing tuxedos. Is my idea too casual a dress idea for the wedding? Any suggestions?
FYI, we are looking to keep our wedding different and fun, and both of us are heavily tattooed, as is our party, so I want my girls dresses to be very out of the ordinary and fun and different!!

Answer 1

My maid of honor, which was the only girl I had for my party, had her dress made, as David's Bridal doesn't carry dresses for large bossoms. She bought the material and the pattern and the cost to make the dress was I think around $50. So you could have this done as well. Of course the material will range in price, depending on what you want, and if there are any layers*. And there are so many things you can have done to make it unique and interesting. The dress for my girl was a gothic cocktail dress...and it came out awesome!

http://mccall.com/

Not sure what your taste is but for a short dress I thought this one was cute - http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2878=x&TI=20003&page=3

Even the costume patterns have ones that could be used in weddings, like this one - http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B4212=x&TI=10013&page=6

But I think the McCall's patterns look best as they're a bit more updated - http://www.mccallpattern.com/evening_prom_bridal/page-1

*Go to Walmart or a self owned fabric store to choose fabric (if you decide to go this route), as JoAnn's will be a bit more expensive. Plus Walmart always has clearance fabric for $1 and $2 a yard. I've always found good, cute fabrics in them.


Or you could go to a second hand store and try to find similar dresses for all of them...depending on how the store is, this may be your least expensive route.

Answer 2

I think the idea for your bridesmaids' dresses is brilliant. The women will all get to pick a dress that they can use at other times a year, and the shoes will work at other occasions too.

For the men, they could dress in a fancier style of rockabilly dress. Maybe jackets (or shirts) with flames on them, black pants and Doc Martens or some other typs of shoe that will be versatile for them.

Just because you're in a church doesn't mean you have to be traditional. Have a fun wedding. You and your fiance can take the theme further by wearing rockabilly outfits too. It sounds like a fun time since you all have a lot of tattoos. I'm sure the minister (or pastor) knows a bit about your interests and tattoos and would not have a problem with you dressing in your own style.

I wish more people would throw caution to the wind and do what they want for their weddings instead of being bound by tradition.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

1. You should have gone ahead and ordered the dresses and had the bridesmaids pay you back if you were really heart-set on these dresses, rather than "waiting for them all to have the money." 2. Having failed that, I would tell your fmil and fiance that at this late date the dresses may not match. Show pics of weddings where the bridesmaids were in the same color, different style dresses. At this late date I would pick a color and have them go get their own dress. If it's a specialized color like azalea, I would get them a swatch so they won't clash. However, if azalea, just as an example, is one of your colors, I might instead say "pink, tea length, no extra shiny satin" and leave it at that -- whatever the color, I think they'll look beautiful in an assortment of pinks, purples, greens, or whatever, or in black or navy blue with bright flowers to perk it up. 3. You don't have an abundance of choices at this late date. I don't know why your mother in law and fiance have any say on dresses at all. That's the bride's venue anyway, unless perhaps you have fsils as bridesmaids. Then I'd think it's still up to the bride and her bridal party. Good luck! And blessings on a fabulous wedding!

Answer 4

I have been to many weddings where the bridesmaids dresses were different and I think it is a good idea to use dresses that really can be used again.
Since the bridesmaids dresses will be a little more casual elegance I suggest having the guys wear casual shoes with their tuxes- or maybe go without the ties- or something that will break the formality of their tuxes.
Congratulations!

Answer 5

Go for it - that sounds terrific! I wanted to do that (had a winter wedding and wanted to just tell the bridesmaids to get their own black velvet dresses and we'd match accessories) but the husband wouldn't go for it. So we ended up with dresses they won't use again.

As for the casual-ness, I think you are fine. If it's an afternoon wedding you can definitely go for the gals in their dresses and the guys in their tuxes. Evening weddings tend to be more formal, but your wedding is about YOU and you can decide what folks are wearing. This is your chance to throw yourself a big party - have fun and go with what you want.

I attended a rockin', tattoed, black and white wedding last year and never had so much fun in my life. I hope yours is terrific!

Answer 6

Basic black dresses can be very dressy or not so dressy. The material and style make the difference. With everyone being tattooed it might look fun for the bridesmaids dresses to have a goth look. You could also go the other way and have them looking very demure and girly which would contrast with the tattoos.

Answer 7

Sounds like fun - but your bridesmaids need to be carrying something or they won't know what to do with their hands. You can make it fun & interesting. A twisty branch of witch hazel with some gerber (sp) daisies ??

Depending on the style of dress you could add a tease of colour with ribbons or have a peek of colour underneath with a bustier or some lace.

Have a great one.......

Answer 8

That sounds really cute... if you want to keep things casual keep the idea with the bridesmaids (maybe look at what each one buys to keep things looking "similiar") but ask that the guys wear Vans with thier tuxedos! =)

Answer 9

I've seen it done, I've been in a wedding where everyone just wore a plain black dress. I think its fine and if anyone gives you a hard time about being on a budget, punch them or something.

Its YOUR wedding and I think you and your fiance should do as YOU please.

Answer 10

ebay do gorgeous cheap dresses in all kinds of designs, brand new. It is a great place to use to save money and the dresses are stunning.