How much is too much to ask your bridesmaids to pay?

You are a lot nicer than I am apparently. I only have 4 BMs but not one lives close to the wedding (no matter where we had it,there was going to be travel). Two are in Wisconsin, one is in Iowa, and one is in Texas while the wedding is in New Orleans. They all know what they are getting into when they said yes. It's more than a year out so they are all checking flights and such. My MOH/sister found a $50 dress on Amazon that is perfect for all four of them and shoes can be black or gold so they didn't have to buy new shoes (although my sister is using this as an excuse to expand her shoe collection lol). I'm paying for their jewelry and their hotel rooms night of the wedding (Although, looking into a huge bnb to host entire party)

Did they know it was destination when you asked them? I agree, I think they were probably aware of the ballpark cost when they accepted and now that it's time to swipe the credit card, they are annoyed about it. That's not really your fault. Are they all local to you? I would scratch the bach party or do it locally and still pay for one night at the hotel for them, but that is pretty generous in my opinion. I have spent double that to be in local weddings including bach parties etc. They could have declined and they could step down still. I wouldn't worry about it.

Omg yes that is way over the top for expenses. If you can help them with hair and makeup and other expenses during this three days; do it. That's soooo much.

This is a destination wedding? So I'd assume that your bridal party was aware this would be on the expensive side. I'd say pay for as much as you can. $700 is not a lot to some people but can be pretty crippling to others, depending on their salaries and life expenses. Maybe instead of paying for hair and makeup for them, use that money to cover more of the hotel. Personally, I wouldn't cut the bachelorette, because in my opinion, that's probably the funnest thing for the bridesmaids.

If you google it, average cost to be a Bridesmaid is $1,600. So I think you're definitely under

My dresses are $200, Florida for bachelorette party but I'm paying for Hair and makeup! I think you just talk to them!

I feel everyone of my friends that has ever been a bridesmaid has complained about cost to me. It's just something that everyone does (they probably don't understand how upsetting it is to hear that - especially since you are shelling out a lot more than $700)

To counteract that - after we did the fun bridesmaids proposals - i wrote an email to all of my bridesmaids listing out what I would cover (dress and hair and makeup). When they protested saying they wanted to pay, i just winked and said put it towards the bachelorette party (which again i've heard my friends complain about the cost of the party) - ugh you really can't win!

I'm also a little different since 80% of my wedding is travelling from out of state, so if you were coming to my wedding - regardless if you are a bridesmaid, you are paying for travel.