What is the bride in charge of paying for?

Bouquets, thank you gifts.

If you're requiring them to have their hair and/or makeup done by a professional or requiring them to wear it a certain way, you are responsible for that cost.

If you're requiring them to wear a specific shoe, piece of jewelry, or accessory, you're also responsible for that.

It's up to you. I made certain requests of my girls, so I paid for:

1. The dress we all liked was $750 without alterations. I paid for the alterations plus $300

2. Their nails, hair and make-up because I wanted them to go to my girl

3. Their broach bouquets which I made

4, Transportation to and from the ceremony

Bouquets, gifts, if you’re requiring them to have their hair and make up professionally don’t you pay for it. If you want a specific accessory or shoes you pay for it.


I made hair and make up option for my girls, and I ask them go wear a nude shoe but it could be any show they already owned so no specific shoe. I still paid the tip for the HMUA so they only paid for the service. They bought their dress and paid for the hotel if they choose to stay in it.

I wasn’t planning on having my bridesmaids get there hair and makeup done. But I heard them talking about wanting that.... do I pay for it? I am on a budget

View Quoted Comment I am not paying for mine since I am on a tight budget. They know this though, I told them how much each was and they told me if they want to do both or just one or none.

View Quoted Comment

So they suggested it and you're not requiring it? Why would you pay for it?

If you're having someone come do your hair and makeup, I would figure out the pricing and tell them "I hired a HMUA to do my hair and makeup. If you're interested in their services, it will be $xxx per person. Please let me know if you're interested by xyz date so we can figure out a timeline for the day."

Were paying for our own wedding and we threw away those traditions of who pays for what. I am also not buying the bridesmaids dresses

I am having a western themed wedding, with my girls and myself wearing boots. I am having them pay for their boots so they can pick the ones they want, but I’m buying the dresses and other accessories.

View Quoted Comment If you require it and a specific look yes.

View Quoted Comment This is exactly what my friend did at her wedding.. she told all of us and of course we all ended up choosing that to get ready with her..

View Quoted Comment This exactly. If not required you aren’t obliged to pay. You can tell them how much your HMUA charges for each service and let them decide if they want to pay or DIY. If you have room in the budget it can be treated as a gift if you offer to pay.

Besides bouquets and gifts I think the only other thing is transportation to and from the ceremony/reception.

I let mine pick their dresses as long as they were approved by me. The most expensive was $120 (MOH). They won’t let me pay for their shoes. I’m paying for their hair but I ran it by them first to make sure they were all ok with paying for their own makeup, or else I would have. But I have been in weddings before where hair was required and I had to pay for it and I didn’t mind paying, although makeup was optional. So you should consider paying for at least one of those things for them even if you include it as a thank you. Also thank you gifts, bouquets, matching jewelry if you want that. Really as much as you’re willing, although everyone knows the costs of being a bridesmaid.

If you want them to have their hair and makeup done, I would probably try to find the most affordable artist and pay for it! I was in a wedding before that I had to fly out of state for and she had us all pay an extra 120$ for our hair and makeup on top of everything else...it was super stressful. Definitely a nice gesture to offer to pay!

Flowers, rehearsal dinner, gifts! The two times I've been a bridesmaid, I paid for travel, dress, shoes & HAMU. Both times HAMU was optional. I'm paying for HAMU for all my bridesmaids though. They are paying for their dresses, and I told them to wear whatever shoes & jewelry they want.

In the US, bridesmaids pay for their dresses, but a considerate bride asks their budget. Do not publicly give "proposals" and put them on the spot.

If the bride demands a certain shoe, she pays. If she just says, any black shoe, bridesmaids pay.

If bridesmaids are required to have Hair or Make up done, bride pays. IMHO, if bride even hints that bridesmaid should have updo or false eyelashes, things that not every woman can do, I think the bride should pay.

I rejected traditions and my FH and I are paying for everything ourselves and will not accumulate any debt.

I'm paying for:

- thank you gifts, including a pair of earrings that they may choose to wear the day of

- bouquets

- makeup (because I am requiring professional makeup)

- lunch the day of

- will be covering Uber/Lyft for them if necessary the night of the wedding