Guests & the bridal party

I have no idea what to do? I said to my 3 bms that I will pay for their dresses and their hair and that they can pay for their shoes and make-up. I just realised that we will also need to get jewellery – who pays for that? Do I? and will this then be their gift that I give them to thank them for being my bridesmaid? Is there anything else that I am forgetting?

I would like to hear from other what you are paying for and doing for your Bridesmaids.

Just wondering who does pay for the bridesmaids? cause it does get quite pricey. EG:

 I would like to hear from you on what you are paying for and doing for your Bridesmaids.

Looking forward in reading your responses

LuLu

tradition says no, you don’t need to pay for everything, however some bridesmaids can’t always afford all the trappings that some brides want.

it’s a great idea to split the costs like you’ve done. if you wanted to purchase the jewellery as their present that’s a lovely idea.

IMHO if you’re paying for their dresses you pretty much have carte blanche when it comes to deciding what they will look like, taking the BM views as much into consideration as you can, of course. while you’re obviously not going to dress them in something they despise, they have no right to bitch and whinge if you’re paying for the dress.  if they’re intent on wearing something more their style they can pay for it.

My Bm’s paid for there dresses, as they were long i said just chooses any strappy silver shoe that you like. I will pay for hair and makeup. I would not bother getting a trial for BM’s but just discuss it when you get yours done. I bought silver clutches as there present, and inexpensive earings. Why not go to one of those asian places that are a lot cheaper for nails? Not sure if that helps Lu Lu!

It really depends on what you want to do for your bridesmaids and any traditions. I am paying for everything for my bridesmaids i.e. dress, shoes, dress, jewellery, hair and make up.  I think it’s only fair that you pay for things that you want them to be in.

Anything extra the bridesmaids can pay for such as spraytan and nails.

Asking them to pay for half I don’t think is a big ask, as long as they are aware of this from the beginning and if your bridesmaids are willing and happy to pay….. as you don’t want this to become an issue leading up to the wedding for them and you.

I think you need to establish what is a must for your bridesmaids – do they all really need to have spraytans? I also agree that your bm’s don’t need to have a trial, this is a waste of money, if your make up is done well then you know your bm’s will look great too.

There are plenty of ways of saving, I’ve found shoes on sale and reduced jewellery that has saved a lot of money, it just requires a bit more effort to find them all something but worth the $$$ that you save.

Hope you are able to figure it out ;o)

My BMs are paying for their dresses and shoes but I was sure to discuss this with them as soon as I asked them so there was no awkward moment when we went dress shopping etc.

To save money I also kept to only 3 BMs. I know some people enjoy the big bridal party but I wanted to be able to spoil them with the extras like hair, make-up, presents and a night out without having to worry about the cost.

Hey LuLu

I’m paying for all the things for my BM’s. I told them they had a $200 limit on a dress, hair will be approx $50-60ea, we’re doing our own makeup and I told them they could wear whatever shoes they like (as long as they go with the dress & are suitable for the beach/grass). So in all it’ll only cost me approx $250ea ($750 in total).

I don’t personally like the idea of the BM paying for anything as it’s my wedding. But that’s just me. I was a bridesmaid a couple of years ago and it cost me approx $1.5k (I wasn’t really impressed by that). You end up with a dress you’ll never wear again, makeup that just isn’t me – but I’m not very conventional in the first place I kinda figured that dress is my gift to them. They all chose their own dresses to suit their style (I had to approve them & we worked from a colour pallette/range, but other than that they had free reign).

I think it’s very nice of you to offer to pay for the dresses & hair. And I would think they would happy to help contribute by paying for their shoes/makeup. Perhaps you can make the other items a choice.

rellie – 1,500! bloody hell!!!!!

personally i am paying for the majority of items for my two BMs. I got their dresses at DFO, ordered their jewellery through ebay and hollywoodstyle.com.au and am looking at some basic silver shoes. I’m happy to be paying for their makeup and hair because i’m quite specific about what i want.

on the other hand i have a wedding two weeks before my own (eeep!) which i am a bridesmaid at. Bride is paying for hair and makeup and i am paying for the dress and shoes… which i am more than happy to do

i would also suggest not worrying about hair and makeup trials for your BMs. as long as you’re able to provide pictures for your hairdresser, i’m sure they will be fine just to do it on the big day. Also spray tans and fake nails can be an optional extra too

most important thing is communication. talk things over with your girls, have an idea of cost and have things out in the open…..

I’m paying for dress, hair and makeup so I will comfortable choosing styles. I’ve advised the 2 BMs that they can choose and pay for their own shoes and jewellery so they can wear something they already have or at least buy something they can rewear. As for tans/nails i’m lucky that both girls get those things done for special occasions anyway so they will pay- although I think these things are optional. I don’t like the idea of telling my BMs to tan up

Most BMs expect there will be a cost involved before agreeing to do the job anyhow.