Brides on a budget (that's all of you), if there's one thing you don't have to waste money on, it's the bridesmaid dress.
When I was planning my wedding, one of the things that irked me most was people's insistence that I had to spend more than I was willing to on everything. It's your wedding; they'd say, of course, the band should cost over a grand. So should the photographer. And the wedding dress. The bridesmaid dress has to be at least €500, or else it isn't right. The average cost of a wedding in Ireland is €24, 427, and if you're not spending that, well, is it even a wedding?
I'll have you know, my three bridesmaid dresses cost €30 each (ok, they were on sale from €100, but still), and they were juuuust right. Well, I thought so, and that's all that matters. I was the bride, Goddamnit! This obviously means the bride can spend over €500 on each dress if she feels like it. But - when there are options like this out there, why would you?
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Multi-way dresses are popular choices these days, for clear reasons. One dress does not always suit all, so one that you can manipulate into a style you like can solve all sorts of bridesmaid-y dilemmas. I wore a classic Two Birds bridesmaid dress for my friend's wedding (eh, I was one of the bridesmaids) a couple of years ago and I changed style half-way through! With this dress, you can wrap, knot or twist the straps and style it as a bandeau, one-shoulder, plunge or Grecian-style.
You don't have to feel pressured into spending a load of money on your wedding when you really don't have to. Yes, it's a lovely, important day, but whether your bridesmaid dress is €30 or €68, it will look just as good in pictures as one that cost five times that. If they don't, just filter it.
