We get to spend say $150-200 on a dress that 95% of the time still needs alterations. That could run another $50 if you’re lucky. Then if it’s an ok color and not too ugly you may get away with spending another $40 to hem it shorter to wear as a cocktail dress later. Matching shoes are also extra. If the bride is a bitch she may insist on you getting your hair professionally done that day along w/ manicures. Alllll at the added cost to the bridesmaids.
*shower gifts and wedding gifts are also separate.
Thing is the bride buys all the dresses and pays for the hairdos and buys a gift for the bridesmaids. They get to keep the dress, but normally pay for their own shoes. This one is just being a skinflint!
I know a couple people that had their bridesmaids buy the dress (or at least go halfsies). To be totally honest though, the bride rarely pays for anything. Usually, it is the father or at the least the groom that pays. (… Just realized what I’m gonna have to pay for when my daughter grows up. Dang it.)
Side note: Skinflint always sounded like a very painful way to start a fire.
I’ve been in three weddings, and none of the brides paid for hair, makeup, dress, shoes, etc. As far as I know, all my friends who’ve been in weddings had to pay for all their stuff too.
In the U.S., it’s traditional for the bridesmaid to purchase her own dress. But I suppose these days, anyone can whatever they like … but that is the traditional pattern. I paid for my bridesmaid dresses 15 years ago, as they were also traveling. A friend of mine paid for a good part of the dresses she had us wear as she knew it was a large amount of money. But that dress I can still wear today. It was beautiful and classic.
Been a bridesmaid twice, once in the US and once in Canada. Both times, I paid for the dress, the hairdo, the makeup (well, I did it myself the one time), shoes and of course the flight/trip to get there and hotel room. It was also expected to get the couple a gift, which I did. The brides both gave us Jewelery and some toiletries as ‘thank you’ gifts. Both those weddings were REALLY expensive for me since I lived in the UK at the time.
My German friend thought it was really strange that we paid for our own dress, while my Greek family does not really do adult bridesmaids – just flower girls and ring bearers, and they usually pay for them, and a maid of honour who gets to wear what she likes and pays for it. I’m going with the Greek type of wedding as I don’t really like to be told what to wear and as much as I love my friends, which is why I agreed to be a bridesmaid – sometimes the choice don’t look that good, as much as some may try to find a dress that fits all. I will still love them even if they look better than me at my own wedding ;)
Frances, do you live in North America? I’m only asking because from talking to my British and Irish friends, it seems to be customary there for the bride to pay for dresses and hair. But here in Canada, I’ve never heard of the bride paying for anything except a gift.
I’ve been a bridesmaid 4 times and never wore any of the dresses again. One was even almost identical and I still had to buy another one. But I’m still glad I said yes.
Well, I am getting married soon, and my fiancee and I are paying for everything in the wedding. rings, dress, chapel ect ect. We only make about 3,000 USD/mo between us, and I really struggled asking my MOH and maids to pay for their dresses, and what dresses to get. I settled on having them wear various shades of blue (whatever they like) and picked a convertible dress.
not cheap, but not stupidly expensive either, and they can wear whatever shoes make them comfortable. I want 4 women who are my friends to be themselves, that is why I love them after all.
The wedding industry is ridiculous. Thousands of dollars get spent on something that takes less than an hour, the new couple start life in need of the kind of money that was wasted on the wedding. I’m not saying they should elope, but a simple ceremony will do just as well, as the elaborate one, and will probably be more effective, too.
Alittlewonder sounds like a girl who has thought it out much better than most. I wish her much success in life.
I’ve been a MOH twice, and a bridesmaid once, and never had to pay for my dress (I live in Oregon). Also, when I was married, my husband and I paid for all the tux rentals, the girls’ dresses, and their shoes. My mom made the wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses (and flower girls, etc), so we were able to save a lot of money there. Between the wedding, flowers, photos, etc, we probably spent less than $2000 on our wedding.
It should also say, you will hate the maid of honor the whole time you are there.
At least they get to keep the dress. Groomsmen have spend $150 just to rent a penguin suit.
We get to spend say $150-200 on a dress that 95% of the time still needs alterations. That could run another $50 if you’re lucky. Then if it’s an ok color and not too ugly you may get away with spending another $40 to hem it shorter to wear as a cocktail dress later. Matching shoes are also extra. If the bride is a bitch she may insist on you getting your hair professionally done that day along w/ manicures. Alllll at the added cost to the bridesmaids.
*shower gifts and wedding gifts are also separate.
Ugh. Can you tell I hate being a bridesmaid?!
then just say no?
who the heck is obligating anyone to be a bridesmaid? if u cant stand paying for ur own dress and hair for a day then say No!
Cards inviting someone to be your bridesmaid are a thing? I guess you can tell I got married almost 30 years ago. We just, you know, asked them.
Thing is the bride buys all the dresses and pays for the hairdos and buys a gift for the bridesmaids. They get to keep the dress, but normally pay for their own shoes. This one is just being a skinflint!
I know a couple people that had their bridesmaids buy the dress (or at least go halfsies). To be totally honest though, the bride rarely pays for anything. Usually, it is the father or at the least the groom that pays. (… Just realized what I’m gonna have to pay for when my daughter grows up. Dang it.)
Side note: Skinflint always sounded like a very painful way to start a fire.
I’ve been in three weddings, and none of the brides paid for hair, makeup, dress, shoes, etc. As far as I know, all my friends who’ve been in weddings had to pay for all their stuff too.
Oh, I’m in the US, by the way.
In the U.S., it’s traditional for the bridesmaid to purchase her own dress. But I suppose these days, anyone can whatever they like … but that is the traditional pattern. I paid for my bridesmaid dresses 15 years ago, as they were also traveling. A friend of mine paid for a good part of the dresses she had us wear as she knew it was a large amount of money. But that dress I can still wear today. It was beautiful and classic.
Been a bridesmaid twice, once in the US and once in Canada. Both times, I paid for the dress, the hairdo, the makeup (well, I did it myself the one time), shoes and of course the flight/trip to get there and hotel room. It was also expected to get the couple a gift, which I did. The brides both gave us Jewelery and some toiletries as ‘thank you’ gifts. Both those weddings were REALLY expensive for me since I lived in the UK at the time.
My German friend thought it was really strange that we paid for our own dress, while my Greek family does not really do adult bridesmaids – just flower girls and ring bearers, and they usually pay for them, and a maid of honour who gets to wear what she likes and pays for it. I’m going with the Greek type of wedding as I don’t really like to be told what to wear and as much as I love my friends, which is why I agreed to be a bridesmaid – sometimes the choice don’t look that good, as much as some may try to find a dress that fits all. I will still love them even if they look better than me at my own wedding ;)
Frances, do you live in North America? I’m only asking because from talking to my British and Irish friends, it seems to be customary there for the bride to pay for dresses and hair. But here in Canada, I’ve never heard of the bride paying for anything except a gift.
I’ve been a bridesmaid 4 times and never wore any of the dresses again. One was even almost identical and I still had to buy another one. But I’m still glad I said yes.
Yes, we are in US…traditionally,bridesmaids pay for their own dresses here,
too
Well, I am getting married soon, and my fiancee and I are paying for everything in the wedding. rings, dress, chapel ect ect. We only make about 3,000 USD/mo between us, and I really struggled asking my MOH and maids to pay for their dresses, and what dresses to get. I settled on having them wear various shades of blue (whatever they like) and picked a convertible dress.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84467839/convertible-infinity-wrap-chameleon-maxi?ref=v1_other_2
not cheap, but not stupidly expensive either, and they can wear whatever shoes make them comfortable. I want 4 women who are my friends to be themselves, that is why I love them after all.
Dude, that dress is awesome. :)
The wedding industry is ridiculous. Thousands of dollars get spent on something that takes less than an hour, the new couple start life in need of the kind of money that was wasted on the wedding. I’m not saying they should elope, but a simple ceremony will do just as well, as the elaborate one, and will probably be more effective, too.
Alittlewonder sounds like a girl who has thought it out much better than most. I wish her much success in life.
I’ve been a MOH twice, and a bridesmaid once, and never had to pay for my dress (I live in Oregon). Also, when I was married, my husband and I paid for all the tux rentals, the girls’ dresses, and their shoes. My mom made the wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses (and flower girls, etc), so we were able to save a lot of money there. Between the wedding, flowers, photos, etc, we probably spent less than $2000 on our wedding.
Obviously, if you have a talented seamstress who is willing to work for free, you can skip a lot of the expense. Very few people have that, though.