In a wedding, to the bridesmaids pay for their own dress?

Question

I am going to have a wedding in about a year. But I was wondering if my bridesmaids pay for their dresses because what am I going to do with 5 dresses that don't fit me! Well I was just wondering other people's opinion thanks!

Answer 1

Traditionally the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. Paying for the dresses would be a nice gesture, but typically it is understood that they are covering this cost - just make it clear to them from the beginning. Please keep this in mind when choosing a dress as some of your bridesmaids may have difficulty paying for really expensive ones. If you happen to have your heart set on a really expensive one you could always offer to pay for part of it so they aren't stuck paying big bucks for a dress they will probably only wear once.

To save my bridesmaids some money and to assure that they had dresses they could actually wear again, I let all of my bridesmaids pick their own dresses. I gave them stipulations as to what I wanted - black dress, with a length somewhere between mid calf to just above the knee; short sleeve, sleeveless or spaghetti strap. It ended up looking great. Each girl had a dress that suited her personality and body type plus they had a dress they could wear again. I made little pink satin wraps (plus a burgandy one for my MOH) with beaded fringe to tie all of the looks together. It worked out very well. Just thought I would throw that idea out there.

abc is right - if you do happen to pay for them, they keep them, not you. Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Answer 2

There is no hard and fast rule. If you can not afford to buy the dresses, then TACTFULLY explain to the girls you want, that they will have the cost of the dresses but that you will choose dresses that are affordable. And give them loads of time. You should also ask each girl in private to save hurt feelings. Make a budget, get prices, then, when you ask the individual girls, tell them that you'd love them to be in your wedidng party but before they respond, they should know that it will cost them about ...$$$. If you have chosen dresses that are around $150. each, remember they also need shoes! and a gift for you, and a shower gift.... Perhaps you can afford to spend $500. yourself so you can do what many other brides do - they select a dress and then tell the girls that they will pay for half the cost of each.... my daughter-in-law wanted 5 bridesmaids so she bought the patterns and fabric and the girls just needed to sew the dress themselves or pay someone to make it. They were lovely! If you DO pay for the dresses, they are a gift to your attendants, you don't ask for them back. That's tacky!! And, by the way, if you're in a large city, look for consignment stores that specialize in bridal or evening wear - you can often get 5 matching dresses for under $70 each!! Check out clearance racks,too. Bridal shops have seasonal sales as well. SEARS catalogue has gorgeous gowns. You can ask girls to buy long, slim black skirts and then you pay for matching coloured tops for them....many, many options to save money and keep friends. Good luck.

Answer 3

I paid for the bridesmaids dresses because I was able to and I didn't want to ask them to buy a dress they would never wear again; If you do buy the dresses, you don't keep them dear, the bridesmaids keep them;

They need to know upfront which way you are going so there is no misunderstanding at the end.

Answer 4

Bridesmaids usually pay for their own dresses. But in my wedding I'm paying for all their dresses and I going to let them have it as ONE of their "thank you" gifts. But that's just me

Answer 5

Normally bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. If the bridesmaid cannot afford it and you really want her in your bridal party, then possibly you could offer to pay for half..but generally bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, and shoes. If a makeup artist is hired by you, then you should pay for their being made up and for hairstyling. But there are times when they pay for their own. It is up to the bride.

Answer 6

I was married recently and here is a list of everything that bridesmaids pay for:

Dress
Hair
Shoes
Manicure & pedicure
Accessories (gloves, earrings and necklace set)
Hosiery

Just to clear up something.Bridesmaids and groomsmen are willing to pay for their things because they love you and want to help you celebrate.As long as the suits and dresses are reasonably priced, they should have no problem paying for their things.

Good luck and congratulations!!!

Answer 7

i've always wondered about this issue. why on earth would brides-to-be think that their attendants should pay for the 'privilege' of being in the wedding party?
i personally think if you want a big wedding, you want the attendants, then you should pay for their finery. brides usually demand their attendants purchase dresses that no one would ever wear again, and on top of that the girls still have to pay for shoes, hairdressers and everything else.
so my suggestion to you is this: if you are going to have five attendants then you should pay for five dresses and as for your remark - what am i going to do with five dresses that don't fit me? i think you are playing at being silly. unless you can find dresses that you can rent, [the same as men rent their tuxes], the girls get to keep the dresses.
if you can't afford five dresses, then don't have such a big wedding - its simple really - work within your budget.


i just read kazacan44 - superb ideas! i especially love the black skirts idea - you should give her 'best answer'.

Answer 8

Bridesmaids usually pay for their own dresses as long as you tell them ahead of time.

Answer 9

yes bridesmaids pay for their dresses or the bride pays half it is after all your wedding on the other hand in accepting the honor of being in your wedding they are also accepting the responsibilty to pay for their dresses

Answer 10

I've been in a dozen weddings and always paid for my own dress and shoes. The various brides usually gave us whatever jewelry they wanted us to wear.