One of my brides last year sent her bridesmaids a single instruction: any satin dress in a shade of blue, under $120. Five women turned up in five different blues and five different necklines, and the photos looked like they had been styled by a magazine. Not one of them paid more than $110.
After thirty years of planning weddings, I’ve seen bridal parties spend a fortune on dresses they never wore again. You don’t have to. The average bridesmaid dress costs about $128, according to The Knot, and there are now plenty of good ones for less. Here are thirty dresses from about $35 to $149, plus rentals, with the trending colours for fall 2026 and 2027 weddings.
What a low price really means in 2026
The budget sweet spot. Most good-quality bridesmaid dresses from Azazie, Birdy Grey, Kennedy Blue and Lulus now cost about $89 to $139. The famous “$99 dress” is usually a starting price.
The cheapest options. Ready-to-wear satin slips from places like Target and Lulus start around $35 to $59, and renting through Rent the Runway costs about $40 to $90 per event.
Plus sizes. Azazie Curve and Kennedy Blue charge the same at every size. Some brands add $14 to $100 for plus sizes, so check before the group orders.
Try before you buy. Azazie and Kennedy Blue let you try dresses at home for about $10 each, and swatches are often free. Made-to-order dresses take about 8 to 14 weeks, so order early.
Watch the returns. Custom sizes are usually final sale. Some brands charge return fees or refund only in store credit, so read the policy first.
Who pays, and how to keep it fair
Bridesmaids traditionally pay for their dress, shoes and alterations. If the bride wants professional hair and makeup, she usually covers it. A UK survey in July 2026 found 59 percent of former bridesmaids said the role cost more than they expected, and almost a quarter had thought about saying no because of the cost. So set a price cap early, share it with everyone, and give them a colour palette to choose from.
Fall and winter 2026 (dresses 1 to 10)
1. Rust one-shoulder mesh
The look: a rust orange soft mesh floor-length A-line dress with a one-shoulder neckline, sleeveless, a fitted waist and gathers falling from the bodice.
Where to find it: Azazie Brooke, about $99, sizes 0 to 30.
Best for: Rustic barn or vineyard wedding in October.
Rust and terracotta are the colours of fall weddings this year. A one-shoulder mesh dress feels light enough to dance in. For more barn ideas, see my barn and ranch wedding attire.
Hair and makeup: a low textured side bun, with bronzed skin, a copper lid and a terracotta lip.
2. Emerald mock-neck chiffon maxi
The look: an emerald green chiffon floor-length maxi with a high mock neck, sleeveless, a fitted waist and a flowing column skirt.
Where to find it: Lulus Classic Elegance, about $89, XXS to 3XL.
Best for: Late-fall or winter formal wedding.
Emerald is the classic winter bridesmaid colour, and the mock neck feels modern. This is one of the cheapest full-length dresses on the list.
Hair and makeup: a sleek high ponytail with a centre part, with a soft gold eye and a rosy-nude lip.
3. Chocolate satin cowl-back midi
The look: a dark chocolate brown stretch satin strapless midi dress with a straight neckline, a fitted bodice and a draped cowl back.
Where to find it: Lulus Effortless Bliss, about $59, XS to XL.
Best for: City courthouse, restaurant or micro wedding.
This is my favourite budget find. A cowl back gives you a beautiful photo from behind, and the dress costs less than a dinner out.
Hair and makeup: a sleek middle-part chignon, with glowing skin, a bronze lid and a brown-nude lip.
4. Burgundy long-sleeve satin sheath
The look: a burgundy wine stretch satin floor-length sheath dress with a bateau neckline, long fitted sleeves and a clean column line.
Where to find it: Azazie Hallie, about $139, sizes 0 to 30.
Best for: November evening or black-tie-optional wedding.
Long sleeves and burgundy satin are made for a November evening. Satin is replacing chiffon as the bridesmaid fabric of the moment. My winter wedding ideas have more cosy details.
Hair and makeup: a glossy bouncy blowout tucked behind one ear, with clean skin, fine liner and a wine lip.
5. Olive matte satin bias maxi
The look: an olive green matte satin floor-length dress with a V-neck, thin straps, a fitted natural waist and a bias-skimming skirt.
Where to find it: Birdy Grey Veronica, about $119, XS to 3XL.
Best for: Vineyard or orchard wedding with olive and gold decor.
Olive green is one of the most-requested greens for fall. Matte satin hangs nicely and doesn’t show every crease.
Hair and makeup: a half-up twist with loose face-framing pieces, with olive-bronze liner, peachy blush and a nude-brown lip.
6. Plum chiffon flutter-sleeve gown
The look: a deep plum chiffon floor-length dress with a V-neck, flutter cap sleeves, an empire waist and an airy layered skirt.
Where to find it: Birdy Grey Ginny, about $125, 66 shades.
Best for: Outdoor fall garden with plum dahlias.
Chiffon still sells well, especially for outdoor weddings. Plum looks lovely next to dahlias.
Hair and makeup: loose romantic waves with a low braid, with a mauve-plum eye wash and a berry stain lip.
7. Deep teal cowl-neck maxi
The look: a deep teal draped satin maxi dress with a soft front cowl neckline, thin straps and a liquid bias drape.
Where to find it: Abercrombie cowl-neck maxi, about $140, with petite and tall lengths.
Best for: Moody autumn or early-winter ceremony.
Abercrombie makes this in petite and tall lengths, which saves on alterations. Deep teal suits nearly every skin tone.
Hair and makeup: a sleek middle-part low bun, with teal-tinted liner and a soft mauve lip.
8. Bordeaux velvet maxi (rented)
The look: a bordeaux velvet floor-length maxi dress with a square neckline, long sleeves, a fitted waist and a plush column skirt.
Where to find it: BHLDN Ryland rented through Nuuly, $98 a month, sizes 0 to 18.
Best for: Winter formal or holiday-season wedding.
Renting a designer velvet dress costs less than buying a budget one. It’s a smart way to get a luxe winter look.
Hair and makeup: an updo with face-framing tendrils, with a soft smoky eye and a deep berry lip.
9. Black stretch-satin mermaid
The look: a black stretch satin floor-length mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline, spaghetti straps and a flare below the knee.
Where to find it: Azazie Rylina, about $99, sizes 0 to 30.
Best for: Black-tie evening wedding.
Black satin is the evening pick for black-tie weddings. A mermaid shape feels glamorous for under $100.
Hair and makeup: a sculpted sleek low bun, with graphic black liner and a neutral lip.
10. Terracotta flutter-sleeve gown
The look: a terracotta flowy floor-length gown with a V-neck, flutter sleeves and a tie waist.
Where to find it: Show Me Your Mumu, about $105, XS to 3X.
Best for: Desert, boho or Southwest fall wedding.
Show Me Your Mumu’s terracotta gown has hundreds of reviews and suits a boho or desert wedding. My boho wedding dresses pair well with it.
Hair and makeup: loose beachy waves with a thin braid, with sun-kissed bronzer and a terracotta lip.
Spring and summer 2027 (dresses 11 to 25)
11. Sky blue satin cowl gown
The look: a sky blue luxe satin floor-length gown with a cowl neck, thin straps, a bias-cut waist and an open low back.
Where to find it: Kennedy Blue Luxe Satin, from about $99, sizes 00 to 32.
Best for: Spring 2027 garden or coastal wedding.
Kennedy Blue says sky blue is its most-requested swatch for 2026. It charges the same price at every size up to 32.
Hair and makeup: a soft glossy low ponytail tied with a satin ribbon, with a dewy base, sky-blue inner-corner shimmer and a pink lip.
12. Cornflower pleated chiffon
The look: a cornflower blue chiffon floor-length dress with a pleated V-neck bodice, sleeveless, an empire waist and fine sunray pleats in the skirt.
Where to find it: Azazie Aaliyah, about $119, sizes 00 to 30.
Best for: Summer lakeside or tented wedding.
Cornflower blue is Kennedy Blue’s most-ordered colour, and blues now lead every 2027 palette. Fine pleats look expensive.
Hair and makeup: a loose half-up style with a claw clip, with fresh freckles showing, peach blush and a lip balm.
13. Slate blue convertible dress
The look: a slate blue chiffon floor-length convertible dress with multiway straps worn as a halter, a wrapped waist and a flowing skirt.
Where to find it: Birdy Grey Grace, about $99 at last check.
Best for: Mix-and-match bridal party, 2027.
A convertible dress lets each bridesmaid wear the straps her own way, so one style looks different on everyone. Slate blue is one of the new 2027 blues.
Hair and makeup: a high top knot, with cloud skin, slate-grey liner and a soft pink lip.
14. Sage flutter-sleeve maxi
The look: a sage green chiffon maxi dress with a V-neck, short flutter sleeves, a tie waist and a floaty skirt.
Where to find it: Lulus Promise of Love, about $99, XXS to 3XL.
Best for: Spring or summer garden with a greenery arch.
Sage is the easy, fresh green for spring. Flutter sleeves give a little arm coverage without heat.
Hair and makeup: a braided crown with baby’s breath, with a peachy flush, brown mascara and a tinted lip oil.
15. Dusty blue pleated mermaid
The look: a dusty blue pleated mesh floor-length mermaid dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, a fitted bodice to the hip and fine pleats in the skirt.
Where to find it: Azazie Deandra, about $119, sizes 0 to 30.
Best for: Coastal or harbour wedding with navy and white decor.
Dusty blue with fine pleats looks lovely against navy and white decor at a harbour wedding.
Hair and makeup: a sleek low side part, with silver-blue inner-corner shimmer and a soft pink lip.
16. Moss green satin slip
The look: a moss green satin floor-length slip dress with a square neckline, thin straps, a fitted waist and a side slit.
Where to find it: Birdy Grey Stephanie, about $129, 67 colours.
Best for: Woodland or forest wedding.
Moss green was Kennedy Blue’s bestselling green family. A side slit makes walking and dancing easy.
Hair and makeup: a twisted low bun with loose tendrils, with a moss-gold lid and a nude lip.
17. Forest green stretch satin dress
The look: a forest green stretch satin maxi dress with a soft V-neck, sleeveless, a fitted waist and a minimal slip line.
Where to find it: Quince Catalina, about CAD $120, with 365-day returns.
Best for: Fall or winter evening; easy to rewear.
Quince gives you 365 days to return it, which is rare. Forest green satin also works as a holiday party dress later.
Hair and makeup: a sleek low ponytail, with a soft bronze eye and a red-brown lip.
18. Periwinkle satin slip maxi
The look: a periwinkle satin maxi slip dress with a cowl neckline, spaghetti straps and a bias waist.
Where to find it: Meshki Yvette, about $139, XXS to 3XL.
Best for: Modern city or rooftop wedding.
Periwinkle is an unexpected colour that photographs well at sunset. A cowl slip feels modern.
Hair and makeup: a wet-look slicked-back bun, with glossy lids, soft brown liner and a nude lip.
19. Navy curve-friendly gown
The look: a navy floor-length gown with a V-neck, short flutter sleeves, a defined waist and an A-line skirt.
Where to find it: Azazie Curve Demi, about $149 at every size to 30.
Best for: Classic navy coastal or nautical wedding.
Azazie Curve charges the same at every size up to 30, which makes budgets easy for a mixed bridal party. For more curvy options, my plus-size cocktail dresses are worth a look.
Hair and makeup: voluminous Hollywood waves, with a sculpted cheek, smudged navy liner and a rose lip.
20. Butter yellow strapless midi
The look: a butter yellow satin strapless midi dress with a straight neckline, a fitted waist and a clean A-line skirt, clearly yellow and never cream.
Where to find it: SNDYS Angel at Revolve, about $94.
Best for: Garden brunch or spring 2027 daytime wedding.
Butter yellow is a pretty spring colour, but choose a shade that is clearly yellow so it never looks white in photos.
Hair and makeup: a bouncy blowout with a satin bow clip, with peach blush, a champagne lid and a glossy pink lip.
21. Lilac ruched one-shoulder maxi
The look: a french lilac stretch maxi dress with a one-shoulder neckline, a ruched fitted bodice and a side-gathered skirt.
Where to find it: Lulus Marcela, about $99, XS to XL.
Best for: Spring 2027 garden wedding.
French lilac is on Kennedy Blue’s 2027 colour list. A ruched one-shoulder is easy to wear for many body types.
Hair and makeup: a low side ponytail over the bare shoulder, with lilac-pink shimmer and a soft rose lip.
22. Dusty pink off-shoulder maxi
The look: a dusty pink maxi dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline, short off-shoulder sleeves, a fitted waist and a flowing skirt.
Where to find it: Lulus Magical Magnetism, about $99.
Best for: Romantic garden or rose-themed wedding.
Off-the-shoulder dusty pink is romantic for a rose-garden wedding, and it costs about $99.
Hair and makeup: a soft updo with face-framing tendrils, with a rose-gold eye and a blush-pink lip.
23. Champagne asymmetric cowl dress
The look: a warm champagne gold satin maxi dress with a draped cowl neck, an asymmetrical strap and a bias waist, clearly golden and never white.
Where to find it: Endless Rose at Anthropologie or Nordstrom, about $120.
Best for: Evening garden with a champagne-and-gold reception.
A champagne gold cowl looks rich at an evening reception. Keep the shade golden enough that it never competes with the bride.
Hair and makeup: a sleek tucked low bun, with a glowing highlight, a champagne lid and a nude-peach lip.
24. Mocha neck-tie satin maxi
The look: a mocha brown satin maxi dress with a high neck and a scarf tie, sleeveless, with a fitted waist.
Where to find it: SNDYS Angelina, about $110.
Best for: Neutral-palette fall wedding at a minimalist venue.
Scarf necklines were one of the biggest details of 2026, and mocha suits a neutral, minimalist palette.
Hair and makeup: a polished low ponytail with the tie trailing at the nape, with a matte bronze eye and a caramel lip.
25. Rosewood bow-front maxi
The look: a rosewood maxi dress with a square neckline, sleeveless, a bow at the front bodice and a fitted waist.
Where to find it: Petal and Pup Betina at Nordstrom, about $139.
Best for: Spring or early-fall estate wedding.
Bows are everywhere on 2027 bridal runways. A bow-front dress brings the trend to the bridesmaids.
Hair and makeup: a half-up style with a matching ribbon bow, with a soft pink flush and a rosewood lip.
Prints, the cheapest option and rentals (dresses 26 to 30)
26. Floral print maxi
The look: a soft floral print chiffon floor-length dress with a V-neck, flutter sleeves, a defined waist and a flowing skirt, blush and sage flowers on a dusty-blue ground.
Where to find it: Birdy Grey Christina, about $115 in plus sizes, to size 30.
Best for: Garden or vineyard; or one floral bridesmaid with solid colours.
Editorial florals are a smaller trend. One floral bridesmaid next to solid colours looks planned and fun.
Hair and makeup: loose curls pinned back with a flower, with a fresh peachy face and a rose balm.
27. $35 black satin slip maxi
The look: a black satin maxi slip dress with a V-neckline, spaghetti straps and a bias waist.
Where to find it: Target A New Day, about $35, XS to 4XL.
Best for: Micro wedding, courthouse or very tight budget.
At about $35, this is the cheapest dress on the list and one your bridesmaids will wear again. It’s ideal for a micro wedding or courthouse ceremony.
Hair and makeup: a sleek low bun with a centre part, with clean skin, brown liner and a clear gloss.
28. Rented silk gown for the maid of honour
The look: a dusty blue silk floor-length gown with a V-neck, thin straps and a fitted waist.
Where to find it: Reformation Frankie rented through Rent the Runway, from about $51.
Best for: Maid of honour standout look at a formal city wedding.
Renting a real silk Reformation gown from about $51 is a lovely way to set the maid of honour apart.
Hair and makeup: glossy side-part waves, with luminous skin, a soft brown smoky eye and a nude lip.
29. Rented open-back tie gown
The look: a terracotta rose floor-length gown with a halter neck, sleeveless, a fitted waist and an open back with a tie closure.
Where to find it: Shona Joy Lino rented through Rent the Runway, from about $58.
Best for: Summer coastal or destination wedding.
An open back with a tie is made for a summer destination wedding. Renting means nobody has to pack a new dress home.
Hair and makeup: a high messy bun showing the open back, with a sun-kissed glow and a coral lip.
30. Rented drop-waist maxi
The look: a marigold maxi dress with a square neckline, short puff sleeves, a dropped waist seam at the hip and a full skirt.
Where to find it: Hutch rented through Rent the Runway, from about $58.
Best for: Vintage-inspired or colourful wedding.
A drop-waist maxi in a bright colour suits a vintage or colourful wedding. Rental keeps it under $60.
Hair and makeup: a sculpted faux bob with finger waves, with a berry-pink lip and rosy cheeks.
Money-saving tips I give every bride
Set a cap. Agree a price limit before anyone shops, and stick to it.
Mix and match. Pick a palette, a fabric or a length, and let each bridesmaid choose her own dress. Everyone gets something that fits her body and budget.
Order swatches. Colours look different on screen. Swatches are often free and save expensive returns.
Shop the sales. Black Friday, Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day bring the best prices of the year.
Choose rewearable styles. In the same survey, 42 percent never wore their dress again because they had nowhere to wear it. A simple satin slip in an everyday colour gets a second life.
Mind the shoes. Comfortable shoes she already owns save money, too. My 10 best comfortable wedding shoes are all affordable picks.
Where I’d start
Choose your colour family first, then send your bridesmaids dresses 3, 11 and 27 as starting points. Between them you have a $35 dress, a $59 dress and a $99 dress that comes in every size. Let everyone order swatches, and set the date for orders at least three months before the wedding.
