Most bridal shops will professionally take the bridesmaid's measurements, and then order the dress. Even if you are purchasing your dress online or having it shipped from a non-local store, always have your measurements taken by a professional to ensure they are accurate.
Additional costs:
Most bridal shops have staff members who do alterations, but they almost always charge extra for it. For most bridesmaids, alterations will run between $20 and $80, depending on what needs to be done. Common alterations include bodice adjustments, which are usually cheapest unless there is boning or beading to adjust; hemming, which varies in cost depending on the number of layers; and sleeve shortening, which is not complicated unless there is beading or lace.
It's a good idea to get alterations estimates in writing before ordering a dress. Leanna Studios offers a primer on bridesmaid dress alterations.
Discounts:
Finding a dress on sale is the best way to get a discount. If the bridesmaids live in different locations, a chain bridal store might be your best option.
Shopping for a bridesmaid dress:
When choosing bridesmaids dresses, try to pick a color and style that will complement all of the bridesmaids' body types. Also consider whether the color will flatter your bridesmaids' skin tones. BridalGuide.com[1] offers a guide on creating a unified look for the bridal party.
Tip: To avoid rush fees, have your bridesmaids order their gowns as soon as you have decided on a color and style. Check to see whether they can order their dresses from the same bridal salon the bride is using. Brides.com has more tips for bridesmaids on avoiding overspending.
When trying to choose a bridesmaid's dress, make the bridesmaids' budgets -- not yours -- the deciding factor, unless you plan to pick up the cost. For bridesmaids on a budget, Amazon[2] and JCPenney.com offer low prices on bridesmaid dresses.
In the mid-range, HouseofBrides.com and Nordstrom.com offer wide selections.
For high-end designer dresses, TheKnot.com[3] offers city-by-city guides to vendors.
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To previous poster (Kathleen); Alfred Angelo dresses are of excellent quality (based on what I've dealt with on my bridesmaid dress) and every tailor I've visited this week has quoted a price within the medium price range shown on this site, for all the work I had to have done to my dress. My alteration cost is more than I paid for the gown itself, LOL. I'd have been tickled pink to only pay $90 for my alterations! I am 5'4" so we had to get nearly a foot of fabric on the length of the dress hemmed up, as well as the bust taken in a bit (which is a bit of a treat for me, usually the bust has to be let out) and the spaghetti straps shortened.
Fellow Las Vegas residents: The tailor I am using came highly recommended by friends, and every online review I've read for them has been stellar as well. I'm excited to get the dress back so I can try it on again!
Do not go here for alterations. I had two darts on the top and the seams let out on the sides an inch and it cost $90, my friend added a hem also to hers and it cost $115.
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