J.Crew Pink Bridesmaid Dress: Only $165 and absolutely re-wearable!
It's a lot of work and a whole lot of fun to be a bridesmaid. Enough said, right? Well, it should also be said that accepting this honor can also be quite costly, particularly now that our economy is not looking healthy at all (fingers crossed that all is not lost). Friends and family may not have known you were getting engaged and therefore didn't budget for the usual wedding accoutrement: dresses, shoes, and accessories...and what about the bachelorette party, numerous showers, and wedding gifts? (Cue open change purse with moths flying out of the black abyss inside.)

That being said, if new, matching gowns are what you have always envisioned as your bridal party's attire, then may I suggest that you choose something your friends and family can wear again? Check out JCrew. I'll bet you didn't know that they had a bridal line! Here are a few dresses I particularly like, all under $400:

One of my personal favorites for a spring wedding, and surprisingly the least expensive, is featured at the top of this article...isn't it lovely?

Another for $215:
Something borrowed, something blue...wait a bridesmaid dress!: Simple and lovely...

Finally, I like this for $250:
Chocolate Brown JCrew Halter Bridesmaid Dress - Yum!

If your best girlfriends are strapped for cash and you are a flexible personality who doesn't need everything to be "just so" on her big day, pick a color scheme and let your attendants pick out their own gown, with your final approval if necessary. Everyone loves a cost-conscious bride, and I promise your nearest and dearest will love you forever for choosing this option.

However you decide to approach your bridesmaid's attire, remember that your attendants are also your closest friends and family...relationships that last a lifetime. My advice: don't let the cost of a gown or a pair of shoes stand in the way of someone you love standing next to you on your big day. There are always compromises and options!

If you are looking for other ways to cut the costs of your day, feel free to drop me a note and I'll pass on some tips to help along the way.

Happy planning!