Bridesmaids dresses

Odd question.... who traditionally pays for the bridesmaids dresses? I'm under the impression the bridesmaids pay for their own, but I've seen posts on here that say the brides pay for them. I don't have the money to be paying for over $500 worth of dresses... mine was only that much! My mom is always asking if they are paying for them themselves, but then again, she asks if everyone pays their own way if I go to lunch with a friend. She's just like that. I want to be able to pay to have their hair done and some relaxation time before the wedding... is that enough?

Posted On: Jul 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM | Vendors are allowed to participate

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Mattheus21
Community Superstar

Wedding: 08/13/2010

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Amanda
Community Megastar

Wedding: 05/15/2010
Posted On: Jul 01, 2009 at 11:27 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
When I've been a BM before I bought my own dress and shoes and paid for my hair to get done and my nails.. basically eerything. I'm having my BMs buy their own dresses and I'm not being picky about shoes so hopefully they can wear something they already own. I'm trying to save up enough spare cash before the wedding to take them out to a really nice dinner, and pay for there hair and makeup day of. I'll also be getting them some gifts for helping me and being there for me (but that is traditional anyways).

Brittany M.
Community Headliner

Married: 06/27/2009
Reviews: 13
Posted On: Jul 01, 2009 at 11:27 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Traditionally, the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. If you accept the honor of being in the bridal party, you should also assume that there's the financial responsibility involved. We paid for all of the attire for our wedding party (4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, 1 flower girl, and 1 ring bearer). I have to tell you about Net Bride, though. Their website is www.netbride.com and they saved us a bundle. They are an actual store in Minnesota, but because they buy in such volume, they're able to offer amazing prices. You can choose any dress from any of the designers listed. Go to the designer's website and choose the dress. Go to Net Bride, enter the designer and the style #, and Net Bride will quote you a price on the dress. For 5 females (4 bridesmaids and 1 flower girl), our cost was under $500 (including shipping). It's worth at least checking them out. Good luck!

megdalena
Community Superstar

Wedding: 05/21/2010
Posted On: Jul 01, 2009 at 11:28 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I think the bridesmaids generally pay for their own. You will be footing the bill for plenty of stuff, and since you are paying for their hair and relaxation time before the wedding it should be fine for you to expect them to pay for their own dresses.

Mattheus21
Community Superstar

Wedding: 08/13/2010
Posted On: Jul 02, 2009 at 12:33 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
Thanks, I thought so, but I don't want to offend anyone at this point. Now, just to pick the dress they'll all be happy with!

VegasBride
Community Megastar

Married: 09/24/2009
Reviews: 6
Posted On: Jul 02, 2009 at 2:18 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
What we did is we told everyone to pay for their own attire and then if anyone came to us and specifically said they could not afford it then at that point we took on the responsibility of their attire. We are paying for 2 groomsmen Tuxes, 1 bridesmaid dress, 1 flower girl dress, and 1 ring bearer tux. Everyone is on their own for shoes but we fronted for those things.

Esto
Community Megastar

ESTOccasions
Posted On: Jul 02, 2009 at 10:15 PM | Flag As Inappropriate
It is usually on the Bridesmaids to pay for their own dress. In the past I've had brides pay for the dress instead of giving them a gift. If they pay for their own dresses, then it would be kind to gift them a spa treatment, hair or make up. I always recommend a gift they will enjoy or use again.

JJ
Community Superstar

Married: 10/17/2009
Posted On: Jul 04, 2009 at 3:45 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
I think it's more than enough-- hair and relaxation can get costly. If you're worried, maybe discuss a budget for the dress for them that they all agree upon and have them either choose the dress through consensus or choose a few in the agreed upon price range and ask them to rank by first choice, second choice, etc...then you decide. There are lot of sales and clearance dresses going on......I just think that most bridesmaids should know that they will be paying for the dress. That said, I actually paid for my BM's dresses, but I am not paying for hair, makeup, and shoes. They can wear what they want or do whatever they want in those areas. I had a particular style dress that I wanted for the BM. Plus, I'm pretty sure they are not the type of girls who would wear a BM dress again, unless they all thought it was spectacular. And I am still giving them thank you gifts for being my BM, but not too extravagant.

JJ
Community Superstar

Married: 10/17/2009
Posted On: Jul 04, 2009 at 3:56 AM | Flag As Inappropriate
my mom asks those questions about money and friendship re lunch etc all the time. i haven't answered her about the bm dresses. she assumed the bm dresses were being paid by my wealthy bms. i haven't told her the truth about that and i think i'll let her live under a false assumption, not worth the trouble for me. plus, i got a good deal. now when people ask me nosy questions about wedding costs, i tell them, "you don't want to know" or "enough" i keep it very vague. i don't care. they can think what they want. if they really irritate me, i might even say,"well, good thing you're not planning a wedding. so you can live in blissful oblivion. don't worry about it. thanks for your concern, but i'm handling the money issues with my fh just fine. " and then i just ask about their lives and their kids. or i just get off the phone and say i have to go. truth be told, i avoid those people and don't answer their nosy telephone calls anymore. they're lonely because no friends!
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