As for what to avoid, the answer may sound simple, and yet for many, itâs a shocker: sugar, processed foods, and anything with preservatives can all make cramping worse, no matter how convinced you are that greasy fries or a sugary candy bar will help.
1 Bridesmaid dresses cost, on the low end, about $50 to $100 for an off-the-rack dress from an online shop or department store.2  In the mid-range, they cost $100 to $250 for a standard, satin bridesmaid dress without elaborate detail. In the mid-range, they cost $100 to $250 for a standard, satin bridesmaid dress without elaborate detail.
After adding up the cost of the dress, accessories, travel expenses, wedding gifts and more, WeddingChannel.com found that it costs about $1,695 to be a bridesmaid. The estimate was based on a 2010 Real Weddings study that surveyed more than 20,000 brides nationwide. The highest expenses include travel to the wedding, shower and bachelorette party, which each can cost an average of $300.