Never before have I heard that the bride pays for the dresses, hair, shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids. Are you all suggesting she also pays for tuxes? Just looking for your experience here...not opinions. What did you do?
2007-03-15 04:29:38 · 30 answers · asked by Sweetserenity 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
I wasn't planning on doing it but my boyfriend wants to pay for everything and just wants our friends to show up and be happy. We'll see how that works out.
2007-03-15 04:38:01 · answer #1 · answered by indydst8 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bridesmaids pay for their own attire-- usually just gown and shoes. Sometimes the bride will just tell the maids what gown to buy and let them wear shoes they already own (saves money and is tremendously more comfortable than wearing shoes someone ELSE chose for you).
If the bride is requiring specific accessories like jewelry, the bride should pay, and if bride is requiring a certian hairstyle, requiring nails or certain salon services, the bride must pay (because otherwise the bridesmaids should have had the option to do their own hair/nails/makeup and save the money).
The bride is also responsible for selecting things that are within a reasonable cost range, for her circle of friends-- there have to be reasonable expectations. If the maids are more of the $150 dress "crowd", it is rude of a bride to tell them to buy a $250 gown!
2007-03-15 05:15:38 · answer #2 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have either been involved with or invited to about - 12 friends and 10 family weddings, the bride's parents pay for most all expenses, excluding the wedding party and the rehearsal dinner.
The bride picks the dresses and shoes for her bridesmaids, but the bridesmaids pay for them. The bride gives the jewelry/accessories to the bridesmaids as gifts at the rehearsal dinner. Hair is usually done as a group thing, bride's parent's responsibility.
Groomsmen pay for the tuxedo purchase/rental. Groom gives cuff links or other accessories as gift to groomsmen at the rehearsal dinner.
I have only been to one wedding where the bride's parents paid for absolutely everything but the rehearsal dinner. The parents were loaded, but the wedding party was not. None of them had the money to pay for anything on their own.
The traditions have changed drastically throughout the years, but most of the weddings I have been to have stuck to the old school rules...
2007-03-15 04:52:01 · answer #3 · answered by InsuranceGooRoo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only instances I've ever heard of brides paying for bridesmaids dresses is when there is maybe one particular bridesmaid who can't afford to participate, but the bride really wants her to. Usually, though, this isn't mentioned to the other bridesmaids so no ones feelings get hurt. My bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses and shoes and hair, etc. I'm making their jewelry as gifts. I knew that some of my maids might be on a budget so I chose a really affordable style for about $100. If any of them are really having a hard time, I might chip in a little, but they know I can't afford to buy their dresses for them. Good luck and congrats! BTW, who on earth told you that?
2007-03-15 04:44:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Is this in response to something? I have never heard that. Tradition holds that the bride may buy her bridesmaids a piece of jewelry as a gift (given to them at the rehearsal dinner) that they can wear for the wedding.
If a bride is well off (substantially more than her attendants) certainly she may CHOOSE to buy other items for them. The dress, accessories, hair, shoes etc are always the bridesmaids' responsibilities.
In all the weddings I've been in I've always bought my own dresses, etc and paid for my own hair styling - it was kind of like part of the gift to the bride. I'm honored to be asked to be a special witness so I will go out of my way to look great.
2007-03-15 04:36:06 · answer #5 · answered by goodlittlegirl11 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have honestly never heard of the bride paying for the wedding party's attire before. I think it's pretty much universally known that when you are asked to be in a wedding, your dress, hair/make-up, shoes etc are YOUR responsibility. Sometimes the bride springs for the jewelry to be worn, but that's about it. I think I would have dropped dead if any of the brides in the weddings I have been in had offered to purchase my dress/shoes. For those who had the bride buy anything ....lucky you! Honestly though..maybe it's regionally different? But where I live the wedding party pays their own way!
2007-03-15 05:39:28 · answer #6 · answered by MelB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO. The bride does NOT pay for the bridesmaids' dresses, shoes, hair, etc. The bridesmaids pay for it all themselves. The only thing the bride does is later she gives them all a thank you gift before the wedding (like a nice necklace or earrings).
2007-03-15 05:02:32 · answer #7 · answered by Educated 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No way darlin!!! Once your attendants agree to be in your wedding party, they take on the responsibility of paying for everything they will need. Some brides do choose to pay for everything, as her gift to the ladies. I have not seen anyone ever pay for the groomsmens' tuxes. Some brides will buy her ladies matching jewelry that they can wear on the wedding day. It jsut depends on what you budget is and how much you can afford to spend without breaking the bank.
2007-03-16 00:02:06 · answer #8 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bridesmaids are expected to purchase their own dresses. Keeping this in mind you need to be sensitive to the financial abilities of the people you've chosen to be in your bridal party (meaning no $1,000 Vera Wang bride's maid dresses for a group of 20-somethings starting their careers, etc.) The best resource for these sorts of questions is Emily Post's book on Wedding Etiquette--it outlines what is traditionally par for the course as well as an updated and contemporary understanding of what is acceptable today. The most important thing is to remember that etiquette means being considerate of the feelings of others while respecting yourself--if you have a friend who can't afford the dress, maybe discreetly offer to pay. Or if you want to be generous and splurge on your girls go for it (that's what I plan to do)!
2007-03-15 06:16:38 · answer #9 · answered by Sasha R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! I've never heard of that either. The bride pays for her (usually very expensive gown) the bridesmaids pay for their own and the groom pays for his tux (his groomsmen pay for theirs). The only question is of jewelry and it isn't set in stone. But, many brides will offer their bridesmaids a gift for being in the wedding and she often gives them their bridesmaid jewelry but it can be anything else too. It's totally up to you!
2007-03-15 04:34:48 · answer #10 · answered by Monique D 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The bride does not pay for the dresses, shoes, hair or accessories for the wedding party. It has happend before but only because it was the brides gift to the wedding party and she had extra cash. Its a treat and a gift and its up to the bride if she wants to. But 89 percent of brides do not pay for the wedding party. If your the bride than you need to make it clear to them that they will have to pay for everything expect for their bouqets which you will pay for. Everything else they will have to get. Buying them a nice little gift later says thanks for being part of this party. Examply earings or a necklace. Same goes for the guys.
Congrats
2007-03-15 05:09:12 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋