Bridesmaids Finances

All the weddings I've been in, and weddings I haven't have followed a formula. Basically the bridesmaids pay for shoes and the dress, even if the bride chooses them. If the bride is requiring them to have their hair, makeup, nails and spray tans done, then the bride pays for this. If its optional, then they pay. If you are requiring them to wear certain jewelry, you pay for that as well.

I was a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding. I paid for my own dress and hair. The makeup artist was an acquaintance of who was very nice and did everyone’s makeup for free! I don’t think you should have to pay, but if there is someone who truly can’t afford it I think they should have the option of either doing it themselves or getting it done by the person of their choosing and then meeting the rest of the wedding party. Maybe they could go to a makeup counter or beauty school to get a discount?

I've always paid for my dress, shoes, hair and makeup. Plus as a bridesmaid and a MOH we planned and paid for the bridal showers and Bachelorette party. It's expensive, but for the people you love, you want them to feel special. I think it's helpful that you're aware of the cost, I don't think many brides are

I think it's reasonable to ask bridesmaids to pay for dress, shoes and hair.

I have 4 bridesmaids and they are paying for their dresses, shoes, and hair. I’m paying for the makeup, jewelry, robes, and bunch of other small gifts for each of them. I would at least try to cover the makeup or something small like their jewelry.

If you require hair and make up you pay. Plus it is always nice to ask for BP budget. 350 is a lot.

I think that it’s your wedding and you can do what you want! But if your bridesmaids pay for their own dresses & alterations, then maybe you could purchase their jewelry or shoes, makeup, and hair. But there are so many things that you could pay for in order to help them cut down on their own costs.

I don’t think this is something you can put a universal rule on.

I asked my bridesmaids separately what they’d be able to afford for themselves and adjusted my expectations to the lowest budget. I had my bridesmaids pay for their dresses only. I offered hair and makeup and only two bridesmaids wanted it. I paid for jewelry, robes, food and beverages the morning of, my bridesmaids could wear whatever shoe they wanted, I paid for them to get their nails done if they wanted, and paid for my MOHs alterations because she had unexpected expenses close to my wedding (her dog died, house flooded, and had a car accident 3 weeks prior to the wedding)

Because I'm requiring they wear these outfits I bought all bridal party outfits. However I'm not paying for their hair makeup or accessories

I've been a bridesmaid once and a bride once. We had to buy a specific dress, and she asked that we all buy yellow gold shoes (she didn't care what kind). We were given the option of getting our hair done professionally, which all of us opted for. We also all divided the costs for the bridal shower and bachelorette party. She gifted us the jewelry we would wear.

When I got married recently, I had my girls buy the dress, and I asked them to buy gold or rose gold shoes, also didn't care which kind. They also picked the dress and all liked the same one even though I said they can do their own thing as long as they coordinated. I gave them the option of professional hair and/or makeup. All 4 got professional hair and 2 got professional makeup. I'm assuming they split the bridal shower and bachelorette, as they all co-hosted it. I gifted them each a sterling silver bracelet and pair of earrings the night before but said they did not have to wear them to the wedding if they didn't want to.

All told, being in a wedding is expensive. It's important to talk to each person individually about their budget for things such as the dress. Unwritten rule is typically that they have to buy shoes and a dress, but if you require professional hair and make up, it is customary for you to pay for that. Basically, the shoes and dress are "mandatory" for the role, and everything else is extra that either they opt for or is paid for by you.

Not the shoes. The bridesmaid pays for her dress only. Anything else the bride require the bride pays for.

My girls are buying their dresses and way here. I bought them robes to wear while getting ready and I have offered to do their makeup.

I am paying for my girls and my moms hair and make up as a gift

The only thing I asked the girls to pay for was the dresses and their shoes. I am paying for hair and makeup. Then I spent a lot on their gifts. I want to show how much they mean to me for standing up there on our big day.

Oh and I’m also paying for a house for all of us to stay in for about 5 days. Their significant other can stay in the house and also the groomsmen and their other half.

I’m picking out the dress color but they’re picking out the dress so they can budget accordingly. I’m also not paying for their hair or make up but I’m having that be optional- I am paying for the gratuity charge for the artists though. I got them nice bracelets with their first initial (a lot of them are getting married soon as well so last initial will be changing) and I am making my MOH a robe and getting the other girls button ups to decorate and wear on the day of (we’re decorating together at the bachelorette party)

My bridesmaids bought there own dress and shoes and paid for there own hair and make up. It was around $320. The didn’t mind at all. I bought there flowers and them all a gift.

My bridesmaids are paying for their dresses, hair and jewlery. After all they will be theirs. I am however getting them each gifts for being a part of the wedding. That is standard etiquette, so I hear 🤷

Thank for everyone’s input on this topic! I talked to each one and they are all okay, but i did leave it open to be optional but they all wanted it professionally done. I did tell everyone that in case they can’t come up with all of the money, just let me know and I will my best to cover. man this was a relief. I was so worried