Weddingbee

I think the fairest would be for the bride and groom to pick up all the expenses, it is afterall, their wedding and their dream. I know that money is a huge issue when it comes to a wedding but I cannot ask people to pay for things that I am “requiring” them to have (dress, shoes, etc.) to fulfill a dream wedding. I am paying for the bridesmaid dresses and anything else I am asking them to have.

I really think it’s crazy to pay for the entire party unless that is the “Thank you” gift. Or unless the couple has money. Otherwise, it’s too expensive. However, here’s an idea that I might do.. give a small tangible “thank you gift” and add a monetary gift card, whatever you can afford to give. It’ll help pay for some of the Bridal expenses and it’s a nice gift too.

I always thought it was the bride’s responsibility to pay for all the expenses (except for traveling expenses, etc) but apparently I had been brainwashed by my super Korean relatives and friends. I’m paying for brides maids’ dresses, hair, and make up, which will cost me about $150 per person. I don’t think the bride should pay for the entire traveling expense (hotel & flight), but perhaps split the cost with the party, if the bride really wants the friends from afar to be the wedding party (I prefer to have someone local to do the parts just so I wouldn’t have to deal with such issues.). I’m not offering separate personal “thank you” gifts to the wedding party, so perhaps these beauty pamperings substitute.

I think it is important to keep cost in mind when picking the attire if you are expecting the wedding party to pay for it. For my wedding this June, I am letting my bridesmaids pick their own dresses in my color with a couple stipulations as to length and neckline (i.e. not super low). Since I and my bridesmaids are all in college, it seemed to be the best option. That way, they can pick a dress in their price range.

I think it should be a combination of the two. I think it’s not resonable to ask anyone to pay for everything themselves, it’s not an expense they asked for but I also think that you’re putting on usually an entire weekend for your family and friends which is a big expense on your part. If people are so close to you that they’ll be in your party they would travel to your wedding and probably get a new dress even if they weren’t.

I plan on having bridesmaids dresses that are quite simple and can be worn at a number of different events in the future if they so choose so they will be paying for the dresses and shoes (they were very excited about picking these), as well as any lodging since some live in town and some do not.

I plan on giving them jewelry and a gift certificate for their hair and nails as a part of their thank you gift. We have many hairdressers in the family and as close family friends so they’re donating their time.

i think it ultimately depends on the couple and their wedding party…but i do think that the bride needs to be aware of bridesmaid expenses..you don’t want to burden your bridal party w/ an excess of expenses..
for example, if a bride wants a specific BM dress that is very $$, then the bride should def. pick up the tab.

I’m having a destination wedding and i have paid for the girl’s dresses so far, but i haven’t decided on what else i will be paying for. I am planning to include jewelry in their gifts. I wish i had the money to pay for their travel expenses and everything else but i can’t afford to. I’m lucky that my friends are understanding and don’t mind paying thier own way. They are also engaged and or married and understand about money. I’m also trying to keep everything else low key so they won’t have to spend so much.

I paid for hotel, hair and nails of my one MOH who wasn’t a family member. She was allowed to pick her own dress and she paid for that. My sister and 11 year old cousin who were also in my bridal party had their dresses paid by their parents and I paid for their hair and makeup.

I think as long as you are open about the situation from the beginning you’re all set. From the time you ask your bridal party you should be able to tell them what you’re covering and what they should be accountable for.

I think if the bride and groom can’t afford to pay for the entire wedding party, an attempt to pay for part of it is nice. If they can afford it, they should. Because many times when they can afford it, the bride thinks an expensive bridesmaids dress is necessary and maybe not all bridesmaids have an extra few hundred bucks lying around. In the weddings I have been, I have been in two that were paid for and one that wasn’t. It would have been nice if she would have either made an effort to make the festivities affordable. Most of us were struggling college students at the time. A lot of people say, but you shouldn’t care b/c it’s your good friend and her special day. Likewise, I am her good friend so she knows my situation and should be a little considerate. Her day involves a lot more people than…well, her.

It makes the most sense for the B&G to pick up all the expenses. Especially when you consider a bride might pick a heinous, one-time-wear BM’s dress, might want everyone to look uniform in hair, etc.

I simply can’t afford to do that, so I agreed to finding a dress under 200 dollars. Hair and make-up is optional. Shoes don’t need to match! So, the fact that those are choices and not “mandatory” to participate in my wedding, makes me feel a little bit better about asking them but not springing the bill.

Personally, I would like to pay for my BM’s dresses but there is no way we could afford it! Weddings are expensive as it is.

In addition, I’ve always had to buy my own dress for wedding (and would never mind doing so). If a bridesmaid is concerned about the cost, then she should tell the bride or decline the offer to be a maid.

However a bride must consider their maids, and if they are picking out really expensive dresses then they should pay the difference. Since I am not doing this, I am picking out reasonably priced and re-wearable dresses.

I think it is important, though, for a bride to pay for extras. For example if they require their bridesmaids to get their hair, make-up done, and manicure/pedicures.