Written by Vanessa Santilli on May 26 on Bankrate Canada
Patricia Canale knows firsthand the price tag that comes with being in a bridal party.
“It all gets a bit expensive,” says Canale, who has been in four wedding parties.
Aside from the bridesmaid dress and various beauty and jewellery costs on the day of the wedding, there’s also the engagement gift, the shower gift and all that goes with bachelorette parties — from paying for dinner and buying the bride a gift to clubbing and getting a hotel. And don’t forget about the wedding present.
According to a survey by WeddingChannel.com, the average cost of being a bridesmaid is $1,695.
Costly as it may be, with a bit of creativity there are ways to reduce your costs. Here are some tips to ensure your bottom line takes less of a hit — and ways to navigate the choppy waters of staying within budget.
Sell your dress
“You can recoup some of your costs by putting the dress up for sale on a reseller’s website or selling it at a consignment store,” says Andrea Orr, a Windsor-based trustee in bankruptcy and senior vice-president at BDO Canada Limited.
SmartBrideBoutique.com is one of the marketplaces where brides, mothers of brides and bridal party members can buy and sell all wedding-related items, including wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and decorations, to name a few — with savings of up to 50 per cent, says founder Andrea Lown.
“Any opportunity to sell an item you no longer need and make a few dollars is a good one,” says Orr.
Skip buying new items
Buying used or pre-owned is a great strategy, says Lown, who started her discount website after realizing the high cost of wedding-related items when planning her own wedding. “Consider renting or borrowing things like jewellery and accessories.”
Sometimes small savings can add up. For instance, says Lown, it’s smart for bridesmaids to wear a specific colour of shoe rather than an exact style: “You’ll be more likely to wear the shoes again.”
Controlling costs
However, as a bridesmaid it can be tough to keep down the costs because you’re not in control of the spending — it’s usually the bride’s choice of dress, hair and makeup.
“I usually just go with the flow,” says Canale. “But in the past, I have been adamant about who I want to do my dressmaking, hair and makeup. When you do this, you are able to set a budget for yourself and shop around rather than just go with the price given to you.”
Be open and honest
If money is an issue before the celebrations begin, it will be an even bigger one when you have to pay the bills, says Orr. “Honesty is the best policy and a friend will understand your situation.”
From Lown’s experience, it’s best to be upfront with the bride regarding how much time and money you can afford to invest.
“It’s often useful to have a meeting with the entire bridal party so everyone is on the same page,” she says. “Create a budget together of all the elements of the wedding. Remember: a bride has never planned a wedding before and may not know what to expect.”
Vanessa Santilli is a freelance writer in Toronto.