First came the supermarket wedding dress. The next unexpected item in the bagging area? A bridesmaid dress. From next month, alongside eggs and loo roll, bridesmaids-to-be doing the weekly shop at Asda can pick up a dress with the launch of its first bridesmaid range. Available in sizes UK8 to 24, the collection starts at £24 for a satin halterneck dress. The retail giant says the launch was prompted by demand from consumers with searches for bridesmaid dresses up 69% year on year.
While most people are thrilled to be a bridesmaid, the excitement can be somewhat diminished by the cost involved. Social media is rife with bridesmaid horror stories of what brides have expected their friends to pick up the costs for. My own quick straw poll found dozens of tales of brides dictating what bridesmaids could wear. Even though it wasn’t something the bridesmaid wanted to wear or would wear again, they were expected to cover the costly bill. The expense is often in addition to hen parties followed by travel, accommodation, hair and makeup for the wedding itself.
