Who is supposed to pay for bride's maid and maid of honor's dresses for the wedding? My friend is getting married and she has asked that they pay for their own dresses. I don't mind but was wondering what the "proper etiquette" is?
2006-07-30 10:23:17 · 15 answers · asked by tmac 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think it's proper for the bride to pay, since she's asking them to be in her wedding. However with my wedding I gave everyone the choice of having me pay for it, or them. I knew I was going to be in all their weddings, so I knew it would all be fair at the end. My best friend wanted to pay for the dress herself so that when she got married she wouldn't have to pay for mine, and that's what we did.
2006-07-30 11:03:29 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In every wedding that I have served as a bridal attendant (and when my husband, son, and daughter have been attendants) we have each personally paid for our clothing, shoes, and transportation, and housing for the event. Most attendants know that the finances are their responsibility. Few brides pay for the dresses, unless there is a hardship on one of the attendants or the items are extremely costly.
" Bridesmaids are generally expected to pay for their own wedding-day ensemble (shoes and jewelry included). If you're a maid and you think the cost is going to be an issue, voice your concerns to the bride. Hopefully she'll choose a dress that's reasonably priced, or consider letting you choose your own. She may give you some color/style requirements (e.g., black and ankle-length), and then each of you would choose something that suits your standards. That way, you decide how much to spend. If your financial situation is truly traumatizing you, just be upfront with the bride about what you can and cannot afford. Everyone has to be flexible."
2006-07-30 10:59:57 · answer #2 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Proper etiquette" explicitly states that the wedding party's attire is paid for by whoever is paying for the wedding (hopefully, we'll start to see a lot of newlyweds paying for their own celebration of marriage rather than handing the bill to their parents). The idea is that none of these people ask to be in your wedding party (I hope they don't, anyway) so they must not be expected to foot the bill for what you should be considering an honour on your wedding day.
However, some people, who seem to think weddings are circuses, can run a pretty tall bill, and so it is perfectly acceptable for the wedding party to offer to pay for their own dresses and shoes (and whatnot). However, it is always the payers for the wedding who have the original responsibility. It's like when someone invites you out to dinner; they have the responsibility as the asker to pay for you. But it is always nice to offer (sincerely, of course) to pay for yourself. Just know that it is not an obligation.
2006-07-30 11:57:05 · answer #3 · answered by jodraven03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in 3 weddings and been a bride. In the 3 I was in I paid for my dresses. In my wedding I asked the girls to pay for theirs. I think it's proper to ask them to pay for own dresses. :) Congrats on getting married!
2006-07-30 10:28:10 · answer #4 · answered by angelbaby6969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure. I always thought it was proper etiquitte for the bride to pay for the dresses. Some people do ask the bridesmaids to pay, but the way I look at it is- it's your (the bride's) wedding, and you're inviting people to be in it- you pay for it. I'll probably pay for the bridesmaids dresses once I get married. :)
2006-07-30 10:26:57 · answer #5 · answered by brittpinkie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the family of the bride should pay. If you are asking me to be in your wedding, not me asking you. For example when you ask someone to dinner you should pay since you are asking. I think it is just common courtesy.
2006-07-30 11:23:12 · answer #6 · answered by Nikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's customary for everyone to pay for their own dresses. It is also customary for the bride to give the attendants a gift.
2006-07-30 10:26:54 · answer #7 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter got married last summer she paid for all of the dresses. I think that is how it is done. You might check the Emily Post "Book of Etiquette" and see what she says about it.
2006-07-30 10:59:42 · answer #8 · answered by couchP56 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is proper for members of the wedding party to pay for their own attire.
2006-07-30 16:25:59 · answer #9 · answered by mylittletribe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bride should pay
2006-07-30 20:57:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋