Do bridesmaids and maid of honor pay for dresses?

Question

Do they pay for their own, or do we pay for them? Do we choose their dresses? Please help!

Answer 1

Yes, they pay for them. and yes you choose them. well thats how i work anyway. its only fair.

Answer 2

You're in the right...bridesmaids generally pay for their own dresses. However, since your MOH was not aware of this, you should give her the chance to back out. I would point her to a bridal magazine or perhaps this Answers page to show that you're not just tyring to be cheap, it really is the norm. You could also try to choose a more affordable dress if that is the problem. Perhaps you can discuss what budget she would feel comfortable with. A lot of other people are saying she "should have known" but honestly, until I planned my own wedding & read a lot of bridal magazines, I had no clue what the expectations were. So keep that in mind. If she's older, it may have been different back then. Also, in some cultures it is different. As for the flower girl, I think it would be nice if you did pay for that. I'm not sure it's "required" but since obviously a little girl can't pay for it, it would be nice if you did instead of putting it on her parents.

Answer 3

It's different for every wedding! I think normally, the bride picks the dresses and the bride's maids pay for them. However, my brother's fiance is letting the BMs pick their own dresses (any style/fabric they want), as long as they're all black - this way they can wear them again later. The BMs are paying for the dresses. My best friend was just in a wedding where the bride chose the dresses but she also paid for them, so my friend didn't have to pay for the dress herself.

That said, if the BMs are paying for the dresses themselves, I would suggest making sure the cost is less than $100 or at the very least, it's a dress that they could wear again (not too formal/fancy). Another friend was MOH in a wedding this past weekend and had to purchase a $300 dress that she absolutely hated for the wedding. She'll never wear it again and it's $300 out of her pocket. (The dresses were *really* ugly.)

So really, it's up to you! Just be fair if they're paying for them.

Answer 4

Typically, my understanding, is that the bride chooses the dress that her Maid of Honor/Bridesmaids will wear and then the wedding party pays for the dresses, shoes, etc. The same would apply for the Groomsmen, the Bride/Groom would make the decisions regarding the Suit/Tux style, color, etc., and the men in the wedding party would then rent the appropriate items for the service.

For my wedding, I had the dresses made by a family member, so I picked out the pattern that was appropriate for each person and paid for the pattern in their size, and they purchased the materials to have the dresses made. I Also paid for the essentials like thread, beads, zippers, etc. Then each of my girls purchased their own shoes, etc.

Answer 5

I have always paid for my own dress when I was a bridesmaid. You get to choose the dress but really it is good manners to consult the bridesmaids as they are the ones paying for and wearing it. With the paying I guess you need to be sensitive to the money situation with some bridesmaids (eg students or others on a tight budget.) You might offer to go half or tell them not to worry about a wedding present. Usually the matching jewellery that the bridesmaids wear is purchased by the bride and given and a thank you for being a bridesmaid gift. Good luck and enjoy your wedding.

Answer 6

It USA, attendents (bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc) usually pay for their own clothing. Theoretically, the bride chooses the bridesmaid dresses, but only a very foolish woman would try to compel her attendants to buy and wear dresses they hate. I suggest that the wedding party work within the bride's color theme and come to a consensus on clothing acceptable to everyone. Remember, there is no rule that attendents must be perfectly matched like chorus girls. It can make a charming picture when each bridesmaid chooses a dress style most flattering to her figure provided all are in harmonizing shades of blue (or green or pink or whatever).

Answer 7

Nowadays most bridesmaids and maids of honor pay for their own dresses.. You decide on the color scheme and they will find a dress accordingly. Since dresses can sometimes be very expensive, you might suggest they rent one for the occasion, or set a price that they should spend.. and no more.. So I would only suggest color to them, not material...If you demand too much then you should be prepared to pay the difference. After the ceremony though a small gift of thanks to them would be nice and appreciated.
Congratulations!!!

Answer 8

The way I figure it, the girls are keeping the dresses, so they should pay for them. I tried to be as efficient as I could with my bridesmaids. I shopped around for months looking for the nicest dresses in the color I wanted, under $150. You also have to figure that they will have to pay for their shoes, shoe dying if needed, and alterations for their dresses. I let them pick their shoes, as long as they were dyed the color of the dress. Then when the wedding is over, they can dye them black and have a nice pair of dress shoes.

I included my MOH in the shopping after showing her a few different styles I preferred. She picked a dress that she said she would definitely wear again. I found a store that sold the dress at 20% off.

Talk to your bridesmaids and research as much as you can about the dress you want and the stores that sell them. Good luck! :)

Answer 9

I would say that in the UK often the bride or parents of the bride pay for the dresses, however it depends on individual circumstances such as can your bridesmaids afford their own dresses, can you afford to pay for them. Many places will hire bridesmaids dresses, which is what i did and they alter them to fit the individual girls! Are you talking about children or adults by the way? If you pay you definitely choose!

Answer 10

If it's in your budget to pay, then you should. I am getting married and all my girls are paying for their own. I picked reasonably priced dresses and shoes because I don't want them to spend a fortune for one day. We are all meeting at the store and then going to lunch afterwards that way I can show them the shoes and dresses I picked out and their will no confusion. If someone wants to be in your wedding, then the effort will be there. Remember, you are paying for alot already and besides, it's an honor to be asked to be in wedding and if they aren't interested, there will be 10 other girls lining up to take their place.

Answer 11

My answer: Normally, the bridesmaids and maid of honor pay for their dress and shoes that the bride chooses. The bride should be considerate and not choose an outrageously expensive dress. Try to stay under $200.

My brother’s answer (who is sitting right next to me): bridesmaids pay unless the bride is rich.