Who pays for wedding party attire?

It’s very common that the wedding party pays for their own attire. If you have the budget though, there’s nothing wrong with covering some or all of it, but generally people understand that they will be expected to pay for this themselves. For this reason I suggest keeping the wedding party count down to people you are very close with.

The wedding party is expected to pay for their clothes, within their budgets. If you're requiring special shoes or professional hair and makeup, then you would pay for that.

Are you in the US or UK? There seems to be a difference in expectations between the cultures. Where I am, the wedding party pays. If they can't afford it then they can decline when asked to be a bridesmaid. In your case, I think it's OK to offer to pay a chunk of everyone's. You could also choose a store that has inexpensive dresses (I think Birdy Gray dresses cost $99 for example).

This seems to be a “know your crowd” sorta thing. I am in the U.S., but where I’m from the bride/couple always pays for the wedding party’s attire. Requesting someone be in your wedding, then telling them to pay for their own attire would be seen as tacky and déclassé. But, I have also seen other brides in the US say that it is normal for the wedding party to pay for their own attire where they are from. So I guess you could just follow whatever is seen as acceptable in your area. Regardless, though, if it is in your budget I do think it would be best to cover that expense. If it is absolutely not in your budget, then I think just allowing them to choose their own attire Is a great compromise. At least then they will be purchasing something they choose and like.

I think it goes both ways. It is just as common for the couple to pay as it is to have the wedding party to pay for their attire. I feel that if you have the budget it is okay to ask your party to cover the cost when you first ask them to be apart of your wedding. I have been in a wedding were we paid for the dress and shoes and I have heard of it going the other way.

I personally feel that if you're going to pay for the costs you have all the decision making in your hands but if you're going to have the wedding party cover the cost you shouldn't pick out the attire. Just give them the color to go with and let them know how covered up to be ( I have cousins who would wear just about nothing to an event).

I've never had the bride and groom pay for my attire, nor did we pay for our wedding party's attire.

I agree with PPs though. If you are *requiring* certain shoes, makeup, hair whatever - that's on you.

One wedding in the UK, the groom paid but it was very unexpected. For my brother's wedding here in the US, I paid for myself. We also had the girls buy their own which I picked out but was about $50 so very budget friendly! I'd just be conscientious of budgets for the ladies and be sure to ask them privately so they don't feel embarrassed. If it's more than just the dress though, then I'd say that

... if you require hair/accessories/shoes that's on you, as PP said. Sorry I pressed reply too early by accident. 🙈

My wedding party is buying their own dresses and they have the option to match shoes with me if they want. They actually got $20 of their dresses and 10% off their shoes because I signed up for a loyalty card even though I didn’t get my dress there. I plan to pay for everyone’s hair/makeup that will be done at the venue the day of the wedding. I wasn’t going to but think that may be a good thing to do.

My parents are paying for the bridesmaid dresses

Ive been a bridesmiad 7 times and have paid for my clothes and hair and makeup every single time. I would say the biggest thing is be flexible with them and their budgets. I had one bride who I had discussed privately what my budget was for my dress (college student workinf part time.....you get the idea). All the bridesmaids had dresses in the same color but different styles, the one she picked for me not only was the most expensive dress out of the entire group but was twice what I told her my budget was and then she got upset when I told her I couldnt buy the dress the day we tried them on (the dresses cost was equivalent to an entire paycheck at that point in my life). Several years later we stopped being friends but I still have some mild resentment over that.

Thank you for the feedback everyone!

I think this is something I'll ask my fiancé more about - he was best man at a wedding, so I'm curious if he paid to rent his own tux or if the groom paid. But I like the idea of letting my ladies pay for their own dress (and have it be something they'd wear again), but I would foot the bill on their hair and makeup.

I'm also considering asking them to wear black dresses, any style they want, and then I want to buy each of them matching necklaces to give them some uniformity.

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I'm actually from Canada! (My profile says Sumas, WA ... because it would not acknowledge my city, for whatever reason, and Sumas is close to where I live.)

My wedding party is buying their dresses/shoes and doing their own makeup. I paid for their jewelry. The men rented their tuxes however we did set a budget bc we did not want hurt anyone’s pocket. They actually came under budget for everything.

If you have them pay for their own dress that you will be choosing (which is totally fine), ask them individually ahead of time what their budget is so you don't choose something they can't afford!

I’ve been in multiple weddings as a bridesmaid and maid of honor and I expected to pay for my dress and shoes.
If the bride wants my makeup to look a specific way though, I expect them to pay for it. If they’d like my hair to be professionally done, I expect them to pay for it and if they’re going to require specific jewelry, I expect them to pay for at least part of it. In my experience those things have either been “Do whatever you want, I trust you.” Or have been gifts to me.
I think if they paid for my dress I’d be more willing to pay for the other things.I plan on giving my girls a color and a website/store and telling them anything floor length in that color from that website and then I’ll also probably pay someone to do their makeup and hair, try to make a mani pedi appointment with them, and purchase them earrings or a bracelet as a gift.

My wedding party is paying for their attire. I'm covering hair & makeup. They are all happy with it.

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Thank you for the suggestion Samantha!

I'm really flexible, and believe people should be comfortable in clothing - clothes shopping is a hard thing for ME as an individual, so the last thing I'd want to do is make someone wear something just because I think it looks great or, the dreaded excuse, "it's my day".

That being said, I don't think it would hurt to talk to them about budget - I know two of my potential MOH/bridesmaids do carry more financial stress. So at the very least, if I knew their individual budgets, I could also keep my eyes open for potential dresses for them.

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Great perspective Heather

I don't mind paying for extras - I just have to draw a line somewhere, and was starting to worry about trying to save up for 3 (or more) dresses on top of everything else. So yeah, if everyone's saying it's acceptable to have your wedding party pay for attire, and bride/groom pay for extras, I'm on board!

I let my bridesmaids choose the color and their gowns so they purchased their own attire.

for the groomsmen we got their suspenders and ties for them but otherwise the rest of the ensemble they paid for