After putting down a deposit on your gorgeous wedding dress, it's time to start thinking about the second most important outfit of the wedding – yep, we're talking about the bridesmaid dresses - and more importantly, cheap bridesmaid dresses. Sorry grooms, your tuxedos will have to take a backseat on this one.
Bridesmaid dress shopping is fun and exciting, but it can be very very stressful. As much as we adore our friends, they all have different styles, body shapes and opinions. But let's also remember, you can't please everybody.
Whether your chief bridesmaid is petite or you're searching for a plus-sized bridesmaid dress, there is an option out there for everyone. Whatever your theme is, sage green bridesmaid dresses, red or dusty blue, we've pulled together the very best picks.
Closer's best cheap bridesmaid dresses, at a glance:
Best cheap bridesmaid dress overall: Bridesmaid Satin Ruched Halter Neck Maxi Dress In Dusky Blue, WAS £110, NOW £27.50 on ASOS
Best celebrity-favourite cheap bridesmaid dress: Navy Bridesmaid Corset Detail Cross Front Maxi Dress, £24.75 was £55 on PrettyLittleThing
Best cheap bridesmaid dress for spring: Olive Green Jersey Multiway Bridesmaid Wedding Maxi Dress, £72 on Next
Aside from finding a style that fits all your friends, budget is the next big consideration. You've just bought your dream wedding dress, booked your venue, and the budget you had in mind is starting to seem like a distant memory – but that doesn't have to be the case.
High-street wedding dresses are a fab option if you're on a budget. They're cheap, easy to get your hands on, and, if chosen right, incredibly chic.
To help cross one more thing off that very busy wedding list, we've curated a list of our 12 favourite stylish, but cheap bridesmaid dresses on the high street. We've opted for simple silhouettes that flatter all body shapes and won't cost the earth.
SHOP: The best cheap bridesmaid dresses on the high street
Best cheap bridesmaid dress overall
ASOSwww.asos.com
With 75% off and available in a host of sizes, this is by far the most affordable bridesmaid dress on the market, yet it doesn't compromise on style or fit. Designed with a flattering halter neck and ruched neckline, this satin number will suit all your bridesmaid party - whether you go for a dusky blue or a sage green.
Best celebrity-favourite cheap bridesmaid dress
prettylittlething
Did you know that even Molly-Mae's mum opted for a budget bridesmaid dress - this one being a multiway bridesmaid dress that can be worn in different ways? The cross front design and corset details are absolutely gorge, and we're loving the navy. Also available in dusty pink, emerald green and black.
Pros
- Four colours to choose from
- Thick fabric
Cons
- The halter neck may not be to everyone's taste
| Made from: | 95 per cent polyester, 5 per cent elastane. |
| Sizes: | Available in sizes 4 to 16 |
Best cheap bridesmaid dress for spring
Nextwww.next.co.uk
When the weather becomes a bit balmier and the evenings become lighter, what better way to embrace spring at your wedding than using the colours of the season? This dress also gives your bridesmaid options on how they would like to wear the dress, due to its multiway design.
Best summer bridesmaid dresses
Best cheap bridesmaid dress for summer
Nobody's Childwww.nobodyschild.com
Make sure your bridesmaids walk down the aisle in style with you by treating them to these pretty butter-yellow midi dresses. Made with barely-there straps and a soft cowl neckline, we think this dress screams summer or a far-flung wedding somewhere exotic.
Best cheap bridesmaid dress for autumn
Pretty Lavishprettylavish.co.uk
If your wedding falls in the autumn, what better nod to the season than these stunning mahogany gowns? One of Pretty Lavish's best-selling bridesmaid dresses, these luxurious satin maxi dresses feature a subtle cowl neck design and dainty spaghetti straps. If mahogany wouldn't be your choice of colour, this dress is also available in 23 different colourways.
Best cheap bridesmaid dress for winter
Maids to Measure/ASOSwww.asos.com
If you're a 2025 or 2026 bride that is getting married in the winter months, why not dress your bridesmaids in a dress suited to the season? Made with shorter sleeves and a sophisticated open back, this deep red gown promises to suit all shapes and sizes. It's also available in a navy or an emerald hue too.
Best cheap one shoulder bridesmaid dresses
Nextwww.next.co.uk
If you want your bridesmaids dresses to look premium, but don't want to pay above and beyond, you may have met your match with this stylish one shoulder scarf neck dress from Next. While we all know scarf neck dresses and tops seem to be trending, why not add the popular style to your big day. This dress is also available in regular and tall options too.
Best flattering cheap bridesmaid dress
Pretty Lavishprettylavish.co.uk
If you know your bridal party would prefer if you kept the bridesmaid dresses simple in design, then this Pretty Lavish one fits the bill. Crafted from luxurious satin and cut with a feminine v-neckline, this is a versatile option that we think everyone will be happy with, plus it's available in 13 other shades.
Best cheap black tie bridesmaid dresses
Meshkimeshki.co.uk
If you're opting for a black tie dress code for your wedding, this maxi dress is the perfect number for your bridesmaids. Adorned with pearl trimmed straps, this bridesmaid dress exudes refinement and grace and can easily be worn for many other black tie occasions.
Best cheap tulle style bridesmaid dresses
Lace & Beads/ASOSwww.asos.com
If you want to make your bridesmaids feel like princesses, this tulle option from Lace & Beads is giving us fairytale vibes in the best way. We also think its soft olive colour could work throughout the entire year.
Best cheap embroidered bridesmaid dresses
Next/Lipsywww.next.co.uk
Navy is a versatile choice for bridesmaids and is a colour many of us tend to steer towards. Taking this beyond a simple navy dress, this gown features a pretty embellished top and ruffle front detail for an added touch of glamour that works across all seasons.
Best cheap long-sleeved bridesmaid dress
ASOSwww.asos.com
If you know your bridesmaids would prefer a long-sleeved option, fear not, your bridesmaid dresses don't have to compromise on style. Decorated with sequin embellishments on the top half and a flowy tulle skirt on the bottom, this gown would look beautiful at a spring or winter wedding.
When should you buy your bridesmaid dresses?
A lot of planning goes into a wedding, and with many of us having to stick to a budget, you might be wondering when you should buy bridesmaid dresses within your wedding timeline.
Generally, around seven to eight months before the wedding is a good time to start narrowing down your vision, but buying them at that time could mean that they no longer fit when your big day arrives - a lot can happen in eight months, and the styles available can change, too.
You'll need to leave yourself some time once they've arrived for any alterations or exchanges, as well as ordering shoes/accessories for your bridesmaids.
All things considered, we generally recommend between three and six months until the big day as the ideal time to start buying bridesmaid dresses from the high street, depending on your budget and bridal party size.
How to save money on bridesmaid dresses?
If you're shopping online for your bridesmaid dresses (especially if you're utilising the high street), you can take advantage of sales events like Black Friday or new season sales to save some money.
You could also look at places like Vinted or eBay to see if any former brides or bridesmaids are parting with their dresses (remember, they'll only have been worn once!).
Struggling to find one dress that ticks all the boxes? Consider going for the mismatched bridesmaid dress vibe, as it can make it much easier to find a dress for each member of your bridal party.
Rental bridesmaid dresses
Want your besties to look fab without breaking the bank? Rental fashion for cheap bridesmaid dresses might be the answer.
Rental fashion is BIG right now, and it is an opportunity to lengthen the lifetime of garments. After all, why buy five dresses that'll be worn once when you can rent them for much cheaper?
Brands like Rotaro offer beautiful, designer and premium items for way less, so you can say yes to the dress while still being totally eco-conscious. Other brands include Hurr, the home of circular fashion.
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Closer. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.