Wedding Party Attire Budget Guide

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Set a total budget range that respects your wedding party's finances

   Before choosing dresses or suits, have an honest conversation about budget. Ask each member what they are comfortable spending on attire — some may be planning a vacation, saving for a down payment, or attending multiple weddings the same year. A respectful approach: 'We want you to look and feel amazing without financial stress. We are looking at options in the $X to $Y range — does that work for everyone?' Budget ranges by tier: budget-friendly ($50 to $120 per person for dress or suit rental), moderate ($120 to $250 per person), premium ($250 to $500 per person). If one or two members are in a tighter financial position, consider covering part of their costs. The gesture strengthens the friendship and costs the couple $100 to $200 — a rounding error in the overall wedding budget that makes a meaningful difference to the individual.

2. 2

   Compare bridesmaid dress options and their true costs

   Budget bridesmaid dresses ($50 to $120): Azazie, Birdy Grey, and ASOS offer quality bridesmaid dresses online at $79 to $120. These brands provide at-home try-on programs and a wide range of sizes and colors. Amazon also has bridesmaid dresses for $30 to $80, though quality and sizing are less consistent. Mid-range bridesmaid dresses ($120 to $250): David's Bridal ($100 to $200), BHLDN ($150 to $250), and Lulus ($60 to $120) offer reliable quality, consistent sizing, and good color matching. Premium bridesmaid dresses ($250 to $400): Jenny Yoo, Dessy Collection, and Reformation offer high-end fabrics and construction. Rental option ($50 to $100): Rent the Runway and similar services offer designer bridesmaid dresses for one-time use. Great for budget-conscious parties but requires planning for sizing and delivery timing. Hidden costs: alterations ($50 to $150 — nearly every off-the-rack dress needs hemming or adjustment), undergarments (strapless bra, shapewear — $20 to $50), and steaming or pressing ($15 to $30). Include these in the per-person estimate.

3. 3

   Compare groomsmen suit options — rent versus buy

   Suit rental ($100 to $250): traditional tuxedo and suit rental from Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, or Generation Tux. Includes jacket, pants, shirt, and tie. Convenient for groomsmen in different cities who can visit local branches for fitting. Suit purchase — budget ($150 to $300): H&M, Zara, ASOS, and Amazon offer affordable suits that groomsmen can wear again. Quality varies — look for wool-blend fabrics rather than pure polyester. Suit purchase — mid-range ($300 to $600): SuitSupply, Charles Tyrwhitt, J.Crew, and Bonobos offer excellent quality at moderate prices. These suits are an investment the groomsmen can wear for years. Suit purchase — premium ($600+): Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, custom tailoring. Appropriate for luxury weddings or when groomsmen want a lasting wardrobe piece. The rent-versus-buy calculus: if groomsmen will wear the suit again (navy, charcoal, or dark grey suits), buying is better value long-term. If the requested look is unusual (specific color, tuxedo, non-standard style), rental makes more sense. The most budget-friendly approach: ask groomsmen to wear a suit they already own in a specified color family (navy, dark grey, or black) — total cost: $0 to $50 for a new tie or pocket square.

4. 4

   Account for shoes, accessories, and hidden costs

   Bridesmaid shoes: $30 to $100. Allow bridesmaids to choose their own shoes within a color guideline — this prevents uncomfortable shoes and gives each person control over their spending. Many modern weddings allow mismatched shoe styles in the same color. Groomsmen shoes: $50 to $150 if new shoes are needed. If groomsmen own appropriate dress shoes, this cost drops to $0. Accessories — bridesmaid: jewelry ($15 to $50 per person — a popular bride gift that solves the accessory coordination issue), hair accessories ($10 to $30), wrap or shawl for cool weather ($20 to $40). Accessories — groomsmen: tie or bow tie ($20 to $50 each — the couple often gifts matching ties), pocket square ($10 to $25), cufflinks ($15 to $40), belt ($20 to $40). Alterations are the biggest hidden cost: bridesmaid dress alterations run $50 to $150 per dress (hemming, taking in, adding cups). Suit alterations are $30 to $100 (hemming pants, jacket sleeve adjustment). Total hidden costs per person: $80 to $250 on top of the garment cost.

5. 5

   Explore modern alternatives that reduce costs

   The mismatched or mix-and-match trend is a budget game-changer. Instead of requiring one specific dress, specify a color palette and let bridesmaids choose their own dress in that shade. Each bridesmaid can buy from whatever brand and price point fits her budget — one might spend $60 at Azazie while another splurges $200 at Reformation. The result looks intentionally curated rather than uniform. Similarly for groomsmen: specify a color (navy suit, dark grey suit) and let each choose his own. Add cohesion with matching ties or pocket squares that the couple provides as a gift ($15 to $30 per person). A jumpsuit option for bridesmaids is another modern and budget-friendly alternative — jumpsuits from $40 to $120 are widely available and often more flattering and comfortable than traditional dresses. For extremely budget-conscious weddings, thrift store or secondhand shopping can yield beautiful results. Poshmark, ThredUp, and local consignment shops carry formal attire at 50 to 80 percent off retail.

Frequently Asked Questions