Bridesmaids' Expenses: Who Pays For What On The Big Day?

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it's also a major financial commitment. Bridesmaids are usually expected to pay for their outfits, travel and accommodation, as well as the bachelorette party, bridal shower and wedding gifts. However, the bride should be mindful of costs and try to keep expenses to a minimum, especially if the wedding is in a far-flung location or there are lots of events to attend. It's important to be upfront about costs and to communicate clearly with your bridesmaids about what they're comfortable spending.

Bridesmaids' dresses and accessories

Bridesmaids Dresses and Accessories

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of financial commitments. The bride should be upfront about what she expects her bridesmaids to pay for and be considerate of everyone's budget.

The Dress

The bridesmaids are usually expected to pay for their dresses. The bride will often have a specific vision for what she wants her bridesmaids to wear, but this can be relaxed to allow people to choose their own dresses, which opens the door for more affordable and rewearable options.

Accessories

Bridesmaids are also usually expected to purchase their own accessories, including shoes and jewellery. If you're giving your bridesmaids free rein to choose their own accessories, consider providing a few guidelines to ensure their choices align with your vision for the day.

Hair and Makeup

If the bride wants her bridesmaids to have their hair and makeup done professionally, she should cover the cost as a gift. If the bride doesn't have a preference, the responsibility falls to the bridesmaids, but she shouldn't require professional hair and makeup if she's not willing to cover the cost.

Travel and Accommodation

Bridesmaids are typically responsible for their own travel and lodging for the wedding night or weekend. However, the bride should be mindful of these costs, especially if the wedding is in a destination location or if there are multiple pre-wedding events in different places.

Gifts

It is fairly customary for bridesmaids to purchase a wedding gift, but the bride should make clear that there is no pressure to do so, especially if her maids have already spent a lot of money on her wedding.

Bachelorette party

Planning a bachelorette party can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a source of stress and financial strain for everyone involved. To help manage expectations, it's important to have open and honest conversations about money early on in the planning process. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you navigate the financial aspects of planning a bachelorette party:

Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?

This depends on the specific circumstances, but traditionally, the bridesmaids and any other invited guests are expected to pay for their own share of the bill, plus the bride's expenses such as dinner, drinks, and other activities. If the bachelorette party involves travelling to a different location, the attendees usually pay for their own costs, including transportation and accommodation, while the bride typically covers her own airfare and share of the lodging. However, it is not uncommon for the bride to chip in and alleviate the financial burden on her guests.

Maid of Honor's Role

The maid of honor, who typically plans and hosts the bachelorette party, is responsible for managing and tracking the budget. It is recommended that she sends out a poll to the guests to anonymously ask about their budget and comfort level with spending. This information can then be used to set a realistic budget that accommodates everyone's financial situation. It is crucial to share the decided budget with the group so that everyone can plan and budget accordingly.

Managing Expenses

The maid of honor or another designated person should take the lead on making payments and reservations. They can use their credit card to secure bookings and then request reimbursement from the other attendees. It is advisable to make payments and reservations in advance to take advantage of early bird discounts and avoid last-minute price surges. Additionally, keeping track of all expenses is essential to ensure that everyone is charged the correct amount at the end of the trip.

Saving Money

There are several ways to throw a budget-friendly bachelorette party:

• Opt for more affordable accommodations, such as an Airbnb instead of a costly resort.
• Include budget-friendly activities like a local hike, a picnic, or window shopping.
• Make expensive activities optional so that guests who are uncomfortable with the cost can opt out.
• Consider alternative celebration ideas like an at-home movie night, a pottery-making session, or a group cooking class.

Bridal shower

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet challenging affair, especially when it comes to managing finances. The bridal shower, a pre-wedding event, is usually hosted by the maid of honour, a bridesmaid, or a close friend or family member of the bride. While it is a joyous occasion, figuring out who pays for what can be tricky.

Who Pays for the Bridal Shower?

The host of the bridal shower typically pays for the event or at least contributes to some of the expenses. This is usually the maid of honour, but other members of the bridal party, the mother of the bride, or even the bride herself may also chip in. If the bridal shower is hosted by multiple people, they can divide the responsibilities and costs among themselves. It is essential to have clear communication about financial contributions to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings.

The costs of a bridal shower can vary depending on the venue, number of guests, food, drinks, décor, flowers, favours, invitations, and other expenses. On average, a bridal shower at a venue can cost around $50 to $100 per person, while a DIY celebration at home can be more affordable. It is common for the bridal party to pay for some of the costs, such as decorations, favours, or surprises for the bride-to-be. Additionally, bridesmaids are expected to purchase a gift for the bride, and it is considerate to give a small token of appreciation to the host(s) of the shower.

Planning a Bridal Shower on a Budget

To save money when planning a bridal shower, it is recommended to have an open conversation with the bride about her preferences and expectations. Sticking to the basics and working within a budget can create a beautiful celebration without breaking the bank. Opting for a smaller venue or hosting the event at home can also reduce costs. Instead of an elaborate meal, consider simpler food options like brunch or a light luncheon, and be mindful of taxes, tips, and alcohol expenses, which can quickly add up.

Who Pays for Bridesmaids' Expenses?

While the bridal shower is an event to honour the bride, it is important to consider the costs incurred by the bridal party. Bridesmaids typically cover their travel and accommodation expenses for the wedding and related events like the bridal shower. They may also contribute to the cost of the bridal shower, in addition to purchasing a gift for the bride. It is considerate for the bride to be mindful of these expenses and, if possible, offer to subsidise some of the costs or provide gifts as a token of appreciation.

Hair and makeup

There is no definitive answer to the question of who pays for the bridal party's hair and makeup. It is generally considered proper etiquette for the bride to cover the costs as a "thank you" to her friends for their support. However, this is not always feasible, especially for brides with large bridal parties or those struggling with wedding costs. In these cases, brides may ask bridesmaids to pay for their hair and makeup services.

The financial situation of the bride and her bridesmaids is the most important factor when determining who pays for hair and makeup. Bridesmaids' costs can add up quickly, from gowns to parties and other bridal-centric fees. Therefore, brides may not feel comfortable asking their friends to pay for an additional service. On the other hand, some brides may be unable to cover all the wedding costs, so having their bridesmaids pay for their hair and makeup can be a helpful solution.

Another factor to consider is the cost of hair and makeup services. Booking expensive stylists may not be feasible for everyone's budget. Some brides give their bridal party free rein to choose stylists that accommodate their budget, while others book a specific hair and makeup team and ask their bridesmaids to cover the costs.

To avoid any surprises, it is essential to finalize the payment plan for hair and makeup as early as possible. Brides who plan to cover the costs should add glam services to their budget, while bridesmaids covering their own expenses should set money aside for stylists.

Bride Pays for Hair and Makeup

The most traditional arrangement is for the bride to cover all hair and makeup costs for the bridal party. This gives the bride more control over the beauty agenda for the big day and allows for more time with her bridesmaids as they get ready together. However, this option can be expensive and challenging to coordinate, especially with a large bridal party.

Bridesmaids Pay for Hair and Makeup

Another option is to let bridesmaids pay for their hair and makeup services. This approach gives bridesmaids the freedom to choose their preferred stylists and is more cost-effective for the bride, especially with a large bridal party. However, it requires the bride to be more flexible about the outcome, as not all bridesmaids may choose to have their hair and makeup done professionally.

Split the Costs

Splitting the costs of hair and makeup between the bride and bridesmaids is another possibility. This can be done in various ways, such as the bride paying for hair while the bridesmaids pay for makeup or the bride covering a portion of the costs for each bridesmaid. This option can be a great compromise, making the financial burden easier to manage for both parties.

DIY Hair and Makeup

If budget is an issue for both the bride and bridesmaids, a DIY approach to hair and makeup can be a cost-effective solution. Chances are, your bridesmaids know how to look put together, so trusting them to do their own simple hair and makeup can save money for everyone.

Regardless of who pays the bill, it is essential to have clear communication between the bride and her bridesmaids about the payment expectations for beauty services. Well-informed bridesmaids are happy bridesmaids, and setting these expectations upfront will give them sufficient time to plan and keep any potential drama to a minimum.

Travel and accommodation

Bridesmaids are typically responsible for their travel and accommodation costs for the wedding night or weekend. However, this is something that couples should be mindful of, as these costs can quickly add up, especially if the wedding is a destination wedding or if there is an expensive, far-flung bachelorette party.

Couples may want to consider subsidising some of these costs if their budget allows, or at least ensuring that there are discounted rates available for the bridal party. It is also a thoughtful gesture to check in with the bridal party to ensure that they are comfortable with the costs involved in travel and accommodation, and to give them plenty of notice so that they can budget accordingly.

If the wedding is taking place in the bridal party's local area, it is still a nice idea to check with the wedding hotel to see if they can offer special rates for the wedding party, or to contribute a certain percentage towards their bookings.

While it is not expected for the bride to cover the bridal party's hotel stay, it is customary for the bride to cover the costs of day-of transportation, such as a limo between the ceremony and reception venue.

Frequently asked questions