My maid on honor wants to split the price of a dress with me, but I can't afford it...am I asking to much of her to pay for it on her own?
2007-01-10 22:07:17 · 30 answers · asked by pilotjeannie89 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Usually they pay for their own dresses.
But most brides try to choose a dress that is not too expensive.
Some of them even split the price with the bridesmaids if they know she can't afford it.
2007-01-10 22:12:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the culture; I come from Texas; when I was a kid (back in the 50s and 60s), I noticed an interesting cultural difference: When white people got married, the bridesmaids would pay for their own dresses; when black couples married, the bride or her family would pay for all the dresses. I have no idea why this was true other than a cultural difference; given the relative economic standards of most white versus black families of the day, you'd have thought the exact OPPOSITE would have been true, as many black people in that time and place were, unfortuantely, not very well off. I don't know about Hispanic or other customs; I likewise don't know if those customs have changed.
No matter what your culture or custom, it seems to me that if you want someone in your wedding and they can't afford the dress, then you should be paying for it. If YOU can't afford it, then you need to be looking at a simpler wedding, in my opinion. Your friends are a lot more important than the cost of a dress, and having people around you that you care about and who care about you should be a lot more important than how lavish your wedding is.
2007-01-11 06:21:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. In most circles it is customary for the bridesmaids to pay for their own attire. Sometimes, when brides chose to, they can pay for the dress as the "gift" for them being in the bridal party, but that should never be expected. Generally, when bridesmaids accept the honor of standing in your wedding party, they understand that with that honor comes certain financial responsibilities including the dress, any travel to be a part of the wedding, bridal shower costs, etc. I know it can be overwhelming planning a wedding and you have enough other things to worry about (emotionally and financially). Your friend should realize that.
.If you have any other questions about specific wedding etiquette, go to sites like theknot.com or weddingchannel.com. These sites are extremely helpful with how to tactfully and properly deal with all sorts of situations that can arise while you plan your wedding.
Good luck, and may you and your husband have a long, wonderful life together!
2007-01-11 06:30:51 · answer #3 · answered by AprilDawn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is something that's between the bride and the bridesmaids. I've been in 2 weddings and have paid for both. If you know that the bride does not have a whole lot of money, it's pretty much a safe bet that the bridesmaid will be paying for her own dress. Discuss it with the bride if there are doubts.
2007-01-11 06:20:05 · answer #4 · answered by dawnmichele0227 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In traditional NA, wedding etiquette says that the Bridesmaids are responsible for their attire and travel/accomodations to the wedding. It is normally seen as the Briadesmaids' gift to the Bride.
Now a days, Brides will often pay for the dresses if they can. I am going to be in a wedding this summer (and have read all the etiquette books). We are paying for our dresses, shoes, etc but the Bride is providing the jewlery as a gift to her Bridesmaids. When a woman is asked to be a Bridesmaid, she needs to assume that she is paying before saying yes...it will prevent hard situations later on.
2007-01-11 14:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by PAWS 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen it both ways. If you pick the dress and it's expensive and you can't afford how do you expect her to? In the cases where I have seen the bridesmaids pay for their own, the bride picked the color and the girls got together to decide on the dress so it would be cost efficient or even rented.
2007-01-11 07:11:46 · answer #6 · answered by dana j 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in most cases the bridesmaids pay.
I've been a bride and bridesmaid.....it actually varies with the situation. If the bride is generous or financially stable, she'll most likely pay.
If you can't afford it, and she's really a true friend to be 'maid of honor,' she should understand you.
Good luck and congratulations!
2007-01-11 06:22:49 · answer #7 · answered by Md_gal 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No actually - the wedding party has always, by proper ettiquette, been expected to pay for their own attire. That being said, as someone who has tight finances yourself, be considerate and instead of just picking a dress and making her pay - ask HER how much she can afford and pick a dress that is in HER budget:) check out the Wedding Party Attire category on http://budgetdreamweddings.com for some money saving ideas for bridal party attire.
2007-01-11 22:05:04 · answer #8 · answered by Chrys 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally the bridesmaid pays for her own but maybe she can't afford it either. Are you wanting too much and putting a financial burden on your bridal party?
My son was recently best man for his friend and it cost him nearly $1000 to hire outfit and trimmings their once close friendship is now very strained. What is more important, friendship or a dress?
2007-01-11 06:22:47 · answer #9 · answered by Cheryl S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It depends on the situation. I don't think it's asking too much to make her pay for it on her own. Especially if you let her pick out the dress she wants that matches your color scheme. She's your maid of honor so she SHOULD be a good friend and be understanding. If not, she shouldn't have the privilege.
2007-01-11 06:11:34 · answer #10 · answered by Miss D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋