Help on bridal party etiquette -- usa

In the US, you do not cover dresses, but it is polite to ask the bridesmaids what their budget is. You cover shoes if you require a certain shoe, but if you say something common, like black heels, fine. You cover hair and makeup if you require it. IMHO, if you tell the bridesmaids that you prefer an updo, you pay. Many women cannot do on their own. If hair and makeup is optional, they pay. You pay for gifts.

You don't have to cover dresses over here, it is nice to do but not typical.
In general if you want them to wear specific shoes or make up or hair then you pay for it. If you're okay with them wearing shoes they own or doing their own make up then you don't need to buy anything.
If you want them to wear certain types of accessories that's okay but specific ones I'd buy as their wedding gift. You do tend to get the bridal party a gift.

Thanks so much to you both!

I've got no expectation for any of them to wear any type of shoes/accessories or have their hair and/or make-up done.

I am choosing to have my hair and make-up done professionally, so should I not offer to pay for it if they want their done also? I feel rude somehow having mine done and not offering the same for them!

If you allow them to do their own hair and makeup, you don't have to pay for it and they can pay if they want it done. It's a nice thing to pay for, if you can afford it though! I've never heard of a bride paying for bridesmaids dresses. Typically, you consult them on their budget and they purchase it. Again, if you can afford it, great! Gifts are a good thing to plan for. I let my bridesmaids pick their own shoes and jewelry.

Thank you so much all -- bridal party etiquette seems to be quite different in the US compared to the UK, it's bit of a culture shock! I'm very relieved I don't have to pay for everything, as I was getting a bit worried about how much money I was going to have to put aside for it all. I'm hoping to be able to cover at least everyone's hair if they want it done, as a gesture of thanks.

Thanks again!

Yes, that's a very nice thing, if you can afford to do it. I'm getting my hair and makeup professionally done. I am offering the service to my girls, and will pay for one or the other for them, as a gift. Like, my daughter (maid of honor) will most likely do her own makeup, but she may want her hair professionally done, so I will pay for that.

But mostly bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, and shoes if you are not requiring a specific shoe for them to wear.

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You can always plan on covering hair and letting them know what the cost for their makeup would be if they want to get it done professionally. That way they have the option to either pay or do their own, and whoever is coming to do your hair and makeup can also do theirs if they're interested.

Just out of curiosity, what’s the norm for the UK?

You don’t cover dresses. I gave my bridesmaids the option on hair and makeup. I told them if they wanted to get it done, I would pay for it as their bridesmaids gift. If they wanted to do their own, I would get them a gift. They felt more comfortable doing their own hair and makeup, as they feel like makeup artists cake on too much. So I got them all necklaces.

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We pay for bridesmaids dresses and, depending on the bride, hair and make up -- although I think having your make up done professionally is less common here, although that's just my experience from my area/social set,

Thanks again for your help everyone!

View Quoted Comment Cool! Thanks for replying. I always think it’s super interesting how different cultures/countries approach weddings.

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Me too! I've really enjoyed the whole 'American wedding' experience so far!