Bridesmaids

AMaro215

I have heard different opinions from my relatives so I wanted to get your opinion. When you have/have had your wedding are you having your bridesmaids/maid of honor buy their own dress and shoes or are you paying for them? I don't even have my dress yet but I have one in mind along with the bridesmaids dresses. The bridesmaid dresses are $150. I was thinking if I do go with this particular one to pitch in $80-$100 for each dress??? I was in my cousins wedding a few years ago and she had us all pay $100 for our dress and $50 for the shoes....Let me know what you think because I am unsure what to do.Thanks

RDalton84

My bridesmaids paid for their dresses and my groomsmen paid for their tuxedos. I did pay for one of my friends because she had lost her job and didn't have the money and I wanted her in my wedding so it was worth it to me

ChevyChick88

In any wedding I have been in or know of someone else being in, the girls have paid for their dresses, shoes, and accessories. For my wedding, the girls are paying for their dresses (which I let them pick out) and shoes. I am paying for their hair and jewlery for their gifts. Just in my experience, this is the most common thing.... but, also in my experience, my friends and family do not have unlimited budgets. I would love to be able to pay for my girls dresses and shoes. If I had the means to do so, I would. Most people understand that when you ask them to be in your wedding, it is a little bit of a pricy thing. If you have the means and want to pay for part of their dress, do it. I am sure they would appreciate it!

MdmAcolyte

Yeah, Im with what Chevy said... Same boat, different wedding. They are buying their dresses, shoes, etc. They are my best friends, and I would do the same for them.

AmyLRed

i bought all of my own each time i was a bridesmaid, though sometimes the bride kicked in for hair or jewelry, etc. It would be nice if you wanted to pay a portion of their dresses, but i assume they expect to pay for their own.

My1985Freckles

My Bridesmaids paid for their dresses. When I was a bridesmaid I paid for my dress.... THIS is the norm in this day and age. If you are getting advice from your parents/older relatives, the advice is outdated.

holiday99

always a bridesmaid, never a bride

Bentley2718

When I was asked to be a bridesmaid everyone paid for their own dresses/shoes. The friend did offer to pay for my dress, etc. because I was in grad school at the time and she knew I didn't have much money--but I was the exception. I ended up not being in the wedding, but for other reasons (no, we didn't get in a fight or anything, my life was just really stressful during that period).

Personally, I had a tiny, informal wedding, so it wasn't an issue. I would have felt weird asking my friends to spend money to buy something to be in my wedding--but that's probably my hang-up.

kerriBB37

My wedding is this fall and I am paying for the girls dresses, hair and makeup. We are making jewelry and they are responsible for their own silver shoes (any style.) The dresses are $129. I have been in about 6 weddings and no one has every paid for my dress (I've paid anywhere from $175-$350 for a bmaid dress).. I just thought it'd be nice to do this for my girls, I don't think it's normal wedding protocal though.. If you want to, go ahead! If they are able to pitch it, great!

candj2009

Mine bought their own dresses and shoes, (groomsmen paid their tux rental) and when I was recently a bridesmaid, I paid for my own dress, shoes, and jewelry. Now, if the wedding is cancelled, you should offer to pay them back for the dress and shoes.

klacoille

I've been a bridesmaid 4 times and bought my everything each time. Dress, shoes, hair etc. I guess it depends on your budget. Just keep in mind that if you are having them pay for them, that you need to be aware of everyone's budget and be ok if they have to back out because they can't afford it.

holiday99

I have heard different opinions from my relatives so I wanted to get your opinion. When you have/have had your wedding are you having your bridesmaids/maid of honor buy their own dress and shoes or are you paying for them? I don't even have my dress yet but I have one in mind along with the bridesmaids dresses. The bridesmaid dresses are $150. I was thinking if I do go with this particular one to pitch in $80-$100 for each dress??? I was in my cousins wedding a few years ago and she had us all pay $100 for our dress and $50 for the shoes....Let me know what you think because I am unsure what to do.Thanks

@ my sister's wedding, my sister bought all of her bridesmaid's dresses, including ours (at about $120 ea dress). @ my bro's wedding, he didnt pay anything for anyone.. he's a cheap-o lawyer!

lambeas

I disagree... I know " traditionally" it was a bridesmaids obligation to buy their own dresses, but with economic times being kind of tough, I think it is unfair to ask your girls to spend hundreds on a dress they will likely not wear again!

I am getting married in June and I think if the bride is selecting the dress and the ladies do not get a choice, the bride should pay. If you as the bride are giving your girls the option to select their own, well then they can pay.

I paid for the dresses as my request for them to look a certain way. They will pay for their own shoes, hair and makeup for the day.

Just my opinion and it worked for me!

ShannaB83185

I am getting married in 2 years and unfouratnetly we are on an extremley tight budget. As much as I want the big beautiful fairytale like wedding it's most likely not going to happen. I plan on having 4 bridemaids and I am going to try and do everything in my power to pay for their dresses and shoes. For me though I plan on getting dresses for them that are around the $50 end. I don't even plan on spending more than a couple hundred on my own dress. I know a girl who expected her bridesmaids to pay $250 and that was just for a dress! I think some people need to be considerate to others financial situations and I feel because I am asking the girls to be in my wedding I should pay for their things. They are doing me a favor not me doing them a favor. think your prices are reasonable though for your bridesmaids so if you can finanically and want to pay for their items then go for it.

dvarrassi12

My bridesmaids paid for their dresses, but had 100% say in which one they got. I will be paying for their hair and jewelry as a gift. The only wedding I've been in, I had to pay for everything so just pitching in a little for something is a nice gesture. Definitely not expected though.

crazycat80

I've purchased my own dress, made my dress, and had people pay for them. Sometimes I feel like the girl from 27 Dresses. I've been in a few weddings... Anyway, when discussing the costs with the bridesmaids, I suggest you be totally upfront about the cost BEFORE they officially accept being a bridesmaid. And if most of them seem like they aren't okay with the cost, then think about trying to find a middle ground everyone can reach and share the cost.

rsdgirl

i have paid for all 3 of mine, wouldnt change it. its an honor to be asked, in my opinion

ElizabethRoad

It's normal for the bridesmaids to pay for their dresses, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with you pitching in.

vzucco

I think it sort of depends on their financial situation. Some of my bridesmaids came from out of state to be in my wedding and paid for a hotel room, so I had them all just wear their favorite little black dress. I got them all matching earrings and pins as gifts. They really loved having the pressure off when it came to money and they all looked absolutely gorgeous. Their dresses all weirdly went together, it was kismet. But I had a very low-key wedding obviously.

I think as long as you're not asking them for something that's beyond their means, it would be fine.

angiemartin78

I bought my bridesmaids dresses and they gave me SOME money for them. Every wedding I've ever been in, I've bought my own dress.

Stephie_J

I have always had my dress and shoes etc brought for me as a bridesmaid, I have never known a bridesmaid have to pay for their own dress but think ours were about £50-£60 each last time so not too bad.

Bikini27

I am going to be a bridesmaid in my brother's August wedding and he's purchasing my dress for me, but the rest of the ladies are purchasing their own dresses. The dress is about $200, but to me it's worth it to be apart of my brother's special day, something I would be more than happy to buy. They gave all of us about 12 month's notice so we could get our finances in order to be able to buy the dress.

Shayyy01

You are very generous if you are offering to pay for part of their dresses. If its in your budget do it, if not thats okay too. I sat down with my bridesmaids and had them tell me a number they were comfortable spending on a dress. Then i actually had three of my bridesmaids pick out the dress. I took myself out of it for the most part.

Shoes and accessories is on them, i dont have matching jewlery or anything of that matter that i want them to wear, to each their own, i dont want clones up there with me i want the individuals i love up there with me

I will get them a bracelet as part of their gift, but in no way are they forced to wear it, if they want to they can.

All i told my girls is, if you bend over i dont want to see your britney. Lol

Danpellizzari

When I stood up in a wedding I paid for my tux.

I think if u ask someone to join your wedding party they should be honored to be a part of your special day and assume they are paying for their outfits. If you choose to contribute that should be your option.

aprilgicker

As a Wedding Planner speaking here, they should pay for their dress. There are many reasons for this. YOu as the bride ask friends to see you of to your new life. Their commitment to YOU is buying the dress. It is like signing a contract that says.

"I will Gladly and to the best of my ability help you in anyway necessary. I promise to complain about how the dress makes me look. As I will not look as good as you will, because you, the Bride are the center of the day. I promise to pay for this dress and all of its accessories and be responsible for myself, because if I don't I will not be in your wedding. And knowing that you asked me to make this financial commitment, I will not cancel on you last minute, forget to throw you a bachelorette party, or a shower, make sure you have boze, cigs, and drugs the day of, or anything else that you, The Bride ask of me for your wedding."

Congratulations!

bhalter

I've always paid for everything in the weddings I've been in - dress, shoes, hair, etc. I spent $180 on a super ugly dress a few years ago. -.-

I'm getting married in January and we're paying for the suits/dresses for our wedding party. (They will be responsible for shoes, etc.) We though are getting married in Florida (we're from the Midwest), and since they are willing to come out for our destination wedding, we wanted to help them out and at least buy their dresses and suits.

hmseals

When I got married my bridesmaids paid for their own dresses and shoes.

KMSForLife

I only had one matron-of-honor - my sister. We picked her dress off of a clearance rack and I paid for it - we just looked for a beautiful dress and the color and style really didn't matter because it was just her. I wanted my friends to come but it required all of them to travel and pay for overnight accomodations as we had a wedding away from home. I wanted them to be able to be there with me and enjoy the day so I opted not to have a big bridal party. In looking back, I wouldn't have had it any other way - it was perfect.

k7n2w3

I'm in a wedding in April and we paid for our shoes, dress, and will for hair/makeup etc Dress and shoes ended up like $300ish maybe?? the shoes are gorgeous and we weren't expected to buy the $70 pair but we all fell in love with them and she asked for our input on the dress and cost and we were all fine with what she chose (she would have chose less if we were not ok with cost). The others makeup and hair will cost them a lot (their choice) but I am getting a friend to do mine for free. Normally the bridesmaids also pay for the Bridal shower but luckily the mother in laws did. It is customary to also pay for the bride's share of the Bachelorette party (also up to the bridesmaids). And on the wedding day the Bride usually gives a gift to the bridesmaids for all of their help and support. Granted there are so many customs in different areas, religions, age groups, incomes etc, but this is from my experience and other friends experiences :-) Basically my experience is that the bridesmaids pay for a lot of things but the bride seems to consider their wallet size before choosing various aspects. Hope that helps!

alyssaanagram

My bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses and accessories (especially since my party is up to 10 girls at this point). But I'm being really open about what dress we all decide on so that its within a good price range/looks good on everyone. But I'll probably get them all matching accessories and take them out to afternoon tea a few weeks prior to the wedding.

rebecca_d35

I only had one bridesmaid--my sister. And I told her she could wear whatever fabulous dress she wanted. So she bought it, but it really was a dress she'd wear again.

A friend of mine was just a bridesmaid and the bride told her and the others that they could wear any black cocktail dress. The pictures look great--not stuffy but still coordinated.