Discount Bridesmaid Dress

From LoveToKnow Weddings

While it's typically a tradition for bridesmaids to purchase their own bridesmaids' dresses, your wedding party members will probably appreciate your efforts to find the perfect discount bridesmaid dress. Finding bargain bridesmaid dresses isn't as difficult as you might think. Keep reading for some great tips on how to get that great deal! Know any other tips you'd like to share with our readers? Be sure and add them to the comments section at the bottom of this page. Don't forget to direct all of your wedding questions to our wedding expert, Sharon Naylor. She's got all the answers you're searching for!

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Check the Clearance Racks

Even if your wedding is months away, it's a good idea to begin scouting those wedding deals as soon as possible. Check out your local department stores and bridal shops to see what bridesmaid dress selections they have available. Don't settle on the first dress you see. Instead, check back periodically to see if the styles you like have been marked down. Sometimes, stores take drastic markdowns as they clear out seasonal merchandise. What's seasonal to them, however, might not be seasonal to you! You can often find deals as much as seventy-five to eighty percent off. If your wedding party is on the small side, you may be able to reserve enough dresses in the style you prefer and the sizes that you need. Some stores also offer layaway plans, so if you are worried about losing those deals before your bridesmaids have tried on the dresses, place them on layaway or ask a department manager if she'll hold them for twenty-four hours. Popular department stores include the following:

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Finding Discount Bridesmaid Dresses

Who says the bridesmaid dresses you find have to come straight off the store's rack? Don’t overlook a great discount bridesmaid dress just because it is used! In most cases, bridesmaid dresses are only worn once. Then, they are cleaned and stored away, often never to be worn again! While of course you might be limited in the number of matching dresses you can find, if you don't need a lot of dresses or you are open to your bridesmaids wearing different dresses at your wedding, then you might find great discounts at a fraction of what you'd pay for a new dress! Check out the following places for great, used discount bridesmaid dresses:

Newspaper Classifieds-Your newspaper should have a miscellaneous classified section for people to advertise items for sale. Check this section on a daily basis. You never know what you might discover!
Local Consignment Shops-Many consignment shops specialize in prom, wedding, and bridesmaids dresses. These shops are usually a little more upscale than regular consignment shops, but they still offer shoppers lots of great bargains and deep discounts.
Online Auctions-Ebay, Ubid and Yahoo Auctions are easy to use and offer a variety of items up for auction.

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Find a Good Seamstress

Know a good seamstress? If not, don't worry. You can save lots of money by having your bridesmaids dresses made, especially if you get a good deal on the material. Visit your local fabric shop, and check out their selections. Ask the store's manager about any upcoming fabric and pattern sales. The manager will usually have a list of recommended seamstresses in your area as well. Before you purchase any material, however, find out what the seamstress will charge to make each dress, then figure that amount in with the amount of material you'll need. You may discover that you've saved a significant amount of money by going this route as well. Check out the following fabric stores online:

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