Used Bridesmaid Dresses

Used Bridesmaid Dresses

Budgeting a wedding can be a real strain on everyone involved including the wedding attendants. Some thrifty brides are looking to choosing used bridesmaid dresses as a cost effective alternative to the brand new and more expensive versions. While this may save quite a bit of money for the attendants you might want to consider the pros and cons before choosing used bridesmaid dresses for your party.

The first thing to consider is your attendants. If you have a large number of ladies involved in the occasion you might want to forgo the used bridesmaid dresses. It is unlikely that you and your attendants will find matching gowns for the special day. Parties that have more than three bridesmaids might want to reconsider this cost effective option.

Size is another major issue for some attendants. If your wedding party includes large, tall or petite ladies you might have an extremely difficult time finding used bridesmaid dresses that will fit everyone. The more unusual the shapes, the more likely it will be burdensome for everyone involved seeking pre-owned bridal gowns.  Unless you know a great seamstress you will probably fair better if you avoid used bridesmaid dresses.

Those who have average sized bridesmaids who are few in number might want to consider consignment shops and local advertisements for used bridal gowns. These cheap wedding garments are perfect for the thrifty crew who loves to boast about savings. Once you choose this route there are some steps to take before making a purchase.

What you may save in money you may spend in time. Finding used bridesmaid dresses can be a time-consuming project especially if you are looking for exact matches. On the other hand, you might want to take an eclectic approach that allows your bridesmaids to choose their own unique used bridesmaid gowns.

All you really need is swatches of fabric for each of your bridesmaids that represent the color that you would like your attendants to wear. The rest will be up to them. I took this particular approach for my bridesmaids and it worked wonderfully. There were only two ladies in my party so the gowns didn't need to match perfectly.

I was amazed that the girls found two used bridesmaid dresses that were identical in color. They were also made by the same manufacturer. They looked fantastic and they spent a fraction of the money that they would have if they bought new gowns.