How much do bridesmaid dresses cost UK?

Bridesmaid dresses in the UK cost £50-500. Budget options (ASOS, Nasty Gal, Quiz): £40-100. Mid-range (Coast, Phase Eight, Monsoon): £100-180. Premium (Whistles, Reiss, JJ's House): £180-350. Designer (TH&H, Rewritten, ghost): £250-500. Most UK couples spend £80-180 per dress.

Who pays for bridesmaid dresses UK?

Traditionally, the bride pays for bridesmaid dresses. In modern UK weddings, it's split: about 40% of brides pay in full, 30% split costs, and 30% expect bridesmaids to pay their own. Be clear about expectations BEFORE asking — it can become awkward later.

Should bridesmaids wear matching dresses?

Mix and match is now more popular than identical dresses. The most popular approach: same colour, different styles (each bridesmaid picks the cut that suits her body). Other approaches: different shades of the same colour, completely different colours from the same palette, or matching dresses in different lengths. Identical dresses still work but feel more traditional.

When should I buy bridesmaid dresses?

Order bridesmaid dresses 4-6 months before the wedding. This allows: 6-12 weeks for delivery, 4-6 weeks for alterations, and a 2-week buffer for the unexpected. If you're going custom or designer, order 8-10 months ahead. Order all dresses at the same time — shades vary between batches.

Bridesmaid Dresses UK: Complete Guide

The bridesmaid dress decision is one of the most charged in wedding planning. Get it right and your bridesmaids feel beautiful and grateful. Get it wrong and you’ll spend the rest of your friendship apologising for that one dress.

This guide covers everything: styles, colours, where to buy, mix-and-match approaches, cost guidance, and how to make decisions everyone is happy with.

Four bridesmaids in matching sage green dresses standing in a row from behind, holding bouquets

Mix and match vs matching

The biggest decision: do all your bridesmaids wear the same dress, or different ones?

Matching dresses (the traditional approach)

All bridesmaids in identical dresses. Polished, photogenic, simple to organise.

Pros:

Cohesive in photos
Easier to coordinate
Looks intentional and formal
Simpler shopping experience

Cons:

Doesn’t suit every body shape
Some bridesmaids will feel self-conscious in a style that doesn’t flatter them
Less personality
More dated looking

Mix and match (the modern approach)

Four bridesmaids in different style dresses but matching dusty pink colour palette

Same colour, different styles. Each bridesmaid picks the cut that suits her body.

Pros:

Every bridesmaid feels confident
More interesting in photos
Modern and personal
Accommodates different sizes and body shapes

Cons:

Requires more coordination
Risk of mismatched shades (always order from the same retailer)
More decisions for everyone
Takes longer to organise

How mix and match works

The bride chooses ONE colour (e.g. sage green)
The bride chooses ONE retailer (e.g. ASOS, Coast, Whistles)
Each bridesmaid picks a dress style from that retailer in that colour
All dresses must be the same length (long, midi, or short)

This guarantees all dresses match in shade while each bridesmaid wears something flattering.

Different colours, same palette

Bridesmaids in coordinating but different jewel tone colours — emerald, navy, burgundy

A more advanced version: each bridesmaid wears a different colour from the same palette.

Jewel tones: emerald + navy + burgundy + plum
Pastels: blush + lavender + dusty blue + sage
Neutrals: champagne + cream + taupe + dusty rose

This works best when there are 4+ bridesmaids and you have a clear colour palette.

Most popular UK bridesmaid dress colours

Colour	Why It’s Popular
Sage green	The #1 colour in 2026. Universally flattering, photographs beautifully
Dusty pink (blush)	Romantic, timeless, suits most skin tones
Navy blue	Classic, sophisticated, formal
Terracotta / rust	On-trend warm tone, perfect for autumn weddings
Burgundy / wine	Rich, dramatic, perfect for autumn/winter
Champagne / cream	Subtle, elegant (avoid too close to bride’s white)
Emerald green	Bold, jewel-toned, increasingly popular
Lavender / lilac	Soft, romantic, spring weddings
Black	Modern, chic, formal
Mustard / ochre	Trendy warm tone, autumn weddings

For full colour guidance: Bridesmaid Dress Colours

Bridesmaid dress styles

Long dresses (the most popular)

Bridesmaids in flowing chiffon long dresses with different necklines but same colour, summer setting

Floor-length or maxi dresses. The most photogenic and formal option. Works for any wedding type.

Most popular long styles:

Flowing chiffon with adjustable straps
Wrap-style with a tie waist
Halter neck with a flowing skirt
One-shoulder draped style
Cowl-neck with a sleek silhouette

Midi dresses

Knee-to-mid-calf length. Modern and chic, easier to dance in.

Best for: Garden parties, summer weddings, modern celebrations.

Short dresses

Above-the-knee. Casual and youthful.

Best for: Beach weddings, very casual celebrations, second weddings, hot climates.

Jumpsuits

A modern alternative to a dress. One bridesmaid in a jumpsuit alongside others in dresses can look chic — but only if intentional.

Where to buy bridesmaid dresses UK

Retailer	Price Range	Best For
ASOS	£40-150	Budget, huge variety, multiple lengths
Quiz	£50-100	Affordable formal
Coast	£80-200	Specialised in occasion wear
Phase Eight	£100-220	Wedding-friendly cuts
Monsoon	£80-180	Affordable elegance
Whistles	£150-300	Modern, well-made
Reiss	£180-380	Polished, premium
JJ’s House	£80-250	Wedding specialists, mix-and-match
TH&H	£200-400	Designer mix-and-match
Rewritten	£250-450	Ethical, premium designer
Ghost	£150-300	Soft, romantic, signature draping
& Other Stories	£100-220	On-trend, modern
Marks & Spencer	£60-180	Reliable, well-priced

Tips for shopping

Order all dresses from one retailer — colours vary between brands
Order all at the same time — even one batch difference can change the shade
Order one size up if in doubt — tailoring down is easier than letting out
Allow time for alterations — most dresses need some work
Have a backup plan — order early enough to return and re-order if there’s an issue

Bridesmaid trying on a dress in a bridal boutique, looking in a mirror, friend giving feedback

Costs

Element	Cost
Budget bridesmaid dress	£40-100
Mid-range bridesmaid dress	£100-200
Premium bridesmaid dress	£200-400
Alterations	£30-100 per dress
Shoes (if matching)	£30-100
Accessories	£20-80
Total per bridesmaid	£170-680

Who pays?

There’s no fixed UK rule. The most common approaches:

Approach	How It Works
Bride pays	Traditional. The bride covers everything. About 40% of UK weddings.
Split	Bride pays for the dress; bridesmaids cover shoes/accessories. About 30%.
Bridesmaids pay	Bride chooses, bridesmaids pay. About 30%.
Group budget	The bride sets a max budget; bridesmaids choose within it.

Be clear about expectations BEFORE asking. Tell each bridesmaid the approximate cost upfront. Surprises about money damage friendships.

Timeline

When	What
9-12 months before	Decide on the colour palette and approach (matching vs mix and match)
6-9 months before	Choose retailer and start dress shopping
4-6 months before	Order dresses (all at once, all from same retailer)
2-4 months before	First fittings begin
4-6 weeks before	Final fittings and alterations
1 week before	All dresses ready, accessories sorted

Questions to ask before buying

Can all your bridesmaids afford this dress?
Will it suit different body shapes?
Is the colour available in your sizes?
Can you order all dresses at the same time?
What’s the return policy if a dress arrives wrong?
How long do alterations take in your area?
Will it be comfortable for 12+ hours of wear?