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Rebecca
Just Said Yes July 2021

What is the standard on bride paying for costs at a destination bachelorette?

Rebecca, on February 25, 2020 at 12:51 PM Posted in Parties and Events 1 18

I'm a BM in my friend's wedding and she requested a destination bachelorette party in Las Vegas in July which is peak season for Vegas. We asked her if she would be contributing to paying for the hotel and she said no, the only thing she was expecting to pay for is her flight. I'm kind of bitter about the whole thing because she's also having a destination wedding which I'm paying travel and hotel costs to be at. Is it standard for the bride to only pay for her flight for a destination bachelorette party in an expensive city?

18 Comments

Latest activity by Leah, on March 6, 2020 at 9:43 PM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    The bride should expect to pay for herself in every aspect. Getting married doesn't mean you get an all expenses paid vacation.

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  • Chantal
    Expert May 2021
    Chantal ·
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    I agree with this. As brides, we are the ones putting our bridal party in the position to spend money. It isn't fair to demand to be paid for, especially if she's the one who requested a spendy party. If you offered, that would be different.

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  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    Agreed. If she’s insistent on a destination bachelorette than she pays her travel and lodging and expenses with maybe the exception of dinner and drinks or some planned activity. I honestly wouldn’t attend a destination bachelorette if the couple was also having a destination wedding.
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  • Jennifer
    Super March 2020
    Jennifer ·
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    If she dictates anything then she should expect to pay for her wishes. You should not incur all the expenses.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I think it's pretty bold for a bride to demand a destination bachelorette, then not want to pay for herself. I suggested Palm Springs for my bachelorette because it meant 4 out of the 6 bridesmaids could drive easily, one could drive (just a little farther), and one could take a quick 45 minute flight. I paid for my flight, rental car, gas, groceries, the entire dinner the first night for everyone, a round of drinks both nights, and favors for all the girls. My girls would have been totally fine covering a lot of those things for me but I felt weird already having the house paid for & a few other activities.

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  • Angelica
    Just Said Yes May 2020
    Angelica ·
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    I don't understand some brides.


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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Yikes yea I would pay for more than flight if I’m the one dictating it be destination
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    I'd tell her the current plan isn't financially feasible for you, so unfortunately you won't be able to attend. No additional explanation, so apologies.... I truly don't understand the sense of entitlement of a bride who demands/expects people to pay for things for her. Also, if you're uncomfortable with the situation, it's quite likely others are as well and by you speaking up it might encourage others to do so. Daughter was invited to a destination bachelorette (for someone she saw as a fairly casual friend, which made it even worse to her) and was told what she was "expected to contribute" to cover what the bride wanted (an Airbnb; wine tasting trolley tour, meals at fancy restaurants, etc.) and her share of the bride's expenses. It probably didn't help that daughter received the text messages the week of her own wedding, but she just responded to the group text that she couldn't afford to spend that so she wouldn't be participating. A couple other girls on the group text immediately chimed in that it was too expensive for them as well. The organizer clapped back about how rude they were being because if they didn't go it increased the cost for those who really were "good friends" of the bride. Daughter blocked the conversation after that. She and SIL attended the wedding, but daughter never said another word about the bachelorette party to the bride or anyone else....

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  • Jennifer
    Dedicated December 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    She's being ridiculous. We have typically paid for the bride within my friend group, BUT it's almost always been something close and it was affordable. It's nice to pay for her when you can, but not fair of her to demand it especially considering the location. Someone is gonna have the sit down with her unfortunately. If she wants Vegas, she needs to help.

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  • M
    Expert October 2021
    Megan ·
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    If she's "requesting" (read: requiring) a destination bach (which, despite it's current popularity, really puts people out), then yes, she should be paying. She shouldn't be planning her own bachelorette party anyway (I'm giving my people dates and incredibly vague suggestions and then they'll figure out what works for everyone in the party) but insisting on something expensive means the insisting party should definitely pay.

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  • Givemeallthepups
    Expert February 2020
    Givemeallthepups ·
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    I had a destination bachelorette and offered to pay my own lodging. My crew wouldn’t let me but it was offered.


    Most of the bachelorettes I’ve been to recently we did cover the bride’s lodging but most of them were either local or easily drivable. I am also in a position where it was doable to contribute towards the bride’s lodging.
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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    Yeah, this is expecting too much. Very have her cake and eat it too. My girls *did* pay for my Bach, but you better believe I offered and tried to cover some expenses here and there . But, the other factor was that they planned the whole thing, so they controlled the budget. I didn’t have any expectations and said I’d be happy just hanging out. So they planned an affordable get together that worked for all of them. Once you start dictating the plan as a bride, I think assuming some of those costs comes hand in hand (particularly travel and lodging).


    As a bridesmaid , if expenses were too much or generally unreasonable, I think it’s is completely fair to decline to attend a bachelorette because it is too expensive (though can’t promise that won’t offend an already unreasonable bride ! )


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  • Taylor
    VIP October 2020
    Taylor ·
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    I live in Houston and my bach party is in NOLA which is a 4.5 hour drive. There was talk about Nashville but everyone was going to have to fly if they wanted to come and I didn't feel right asking that of people. With this option, I volunteered to drive/pay for all the gas, and road snacks! Some said they'd rather fly. I 100% do not expect anyone to pay for my stuff and have repetitively said I am happy to cover my own expenses but it's looking like they won't allow it. To think that someone is TELLING you that you have to pay for their flights, room, etc. is absolutely ridiculous. I would decline the invitation.

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  • R
    Expert May 2021
    Rachael ·
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    If she's requesting where the bachlorette party is she should pay. You girls can chip in to buy her drinks and dinner if you want, but I wouldnt want to pay for her trip. I was in a wedding and the MOH and SIL decided on a driveable beach trip, we pitched in and paid for the brides portion of the hotel room, but it was our idea not the brides.

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  • A
    Super August 2020
    Alex ·
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    As the bride, I offered to chip in. My MOH said absolutely not. In my friend group, we have never allowed the bride to pay for anything.

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  • Naikesha
    Super September 2020
    Naikesha ·
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    Listen I understand both sides of the fence but..........

    Vegas in July is peak season. if she was doing something or asking for something reasonable I would understand. But come on.... a DW and a DBP thats a bit much!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry I would decline to go. It's expensive for the DW alone. I'm having a DW in Jamaica I wouldn't dear ask my girls to take me away or plan anything else. It's not fair even if they are financially able it's still time consuming. Sorry your friend is a little over the top expecting you guys pay.

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  • KYLIE
    Super May 2019
    KYLIE ·
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    Every bachelorette I've been to the bride has paid for their own meals, hotel/AirBnB share, etc. Maybe the girls would buy her a drink, but it was more like girls would take turns buying a round of drinks for everyone, so of course the bride herself was included in.

    For my bachelorette, I paid for all activities, food and drinks for myself—as well as footing the accommodations for everyone. I also bought many rounds of drinks for everyone. Those were 100% my choices and I was happy to do so, but I must admit I'm a little bitter one of the girls in my bridal party is getting married and is expecting the rest of us to pay for her accommodations, booze, food, activities, etc. for a very pricey bachelorette across the country. This is going to be a VERY expensive wedding!

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  • Leah
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Leah ·
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    We are doing a destination bachelorette for mine and I would never ask/let my girls pay for everything. Now I have been on several bachelorette trips where we have covered accommodations/chipped in on food and drinks for the bride, which I don't mind doing at all, but it wasn't completely expected by the bride. For me, I'm just thankful they are willing to sacrifice the time and money to celebrate with me, and I realize that it's asking a lot. So I will for sure be covering myself. Being a bridesmaid is expensive enough!

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