Who Pays for Bridesmaid Dresses: A Guide for Brides and Bridesmaids

Being a bridesmaid comes with certain costs. Learn who pays for bridal party dresses & accessories & how to manage budgets.

Who Pays for Bridesmaid Dresses: A Guide for Brides and Bridesmaids

Being a bridesmaid is an honor, but it also comes with certain costs. Generally speaking, bridesmaids are expected to pay for their own dresses and accessories, as well as for potential hair and makeup appointments and transportation to the wedding. According to Gottsman, bridesmaids should be prepared to cover the costs of these expenses once they accept the offer. But if the bride imposes specific shoes and accessories, it is she who must cover those expenses. For domestic workers who are more concerned about the budget or sustainability, rental services or combined trends allow everyone to spend as they feel comfortable.

So who pays for bridesmaid dresses? If the bride can afford all the dresses, she often does. However, bridesmaids often help with the costs by paying for their own dresses, accessories, hair and makeup. According to Lee, some brides give away their bridal party accessories or other small gifts before the big day. Food and weekend activities should be divided just like any other girl's weekend, except for the “big night out”, which is the night when the bride doesn't pay. She is also the founder of Borrowed by La Jolie Bride, a rental platform for the needs of brides and bridesmaids.

Celebrity fashion designer Dalia MacPhee told Insider that one of the reasons couples may offer to pay for part or all of a bridesmaid's dress is if it's too expensive and isn't within the bridesmaids' budget. Bouquets or bouquets for bridesmaids are included in the floral budget covered by those who pay for the wedding. The bridal shower guest list is the most exclusive, so getting a seat requires a token of appreciation. The bride may want to do manicures and pedicures for the wedding, in addition to paying for a hair salon. Of course, every wedding will be different, but bridesmaids don't usually have to pay for their own bouquet. Consider your total budget for gifts, then allocate more than 50 percent to the wedding gift and use the remaining funds for the bachelorette party gift.

Usually, the bride or her family pays for bridesmaids' flowers and florist flowers at the wedding and flowers for the reception. In addition, brides should know their bridesmaids' budget and all the additional costs they will accrue to participate in the wedding. Of course, it's worth noting that many weddings don't have traditional wedding parties and that not all bridesmaids are expected to wear dresses.

Greta Sorgente
Greta Sorgente

Lifelong analyst. Total bacon enthusiast. Passionate bacon trailblazer. Avid problem solver. Typical music junkie. Wannabe music evangelist.

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