When it comes to weddings, it's common for the bride to cover the cost of bouquets, transportation to and from the wedding venue, and a gift for her bridesmaids. Other costs that may be included are hair and makeup, hotel accommodations, bridesmaid dresses, and a bridesmaids' lunch (if organized by the bride). According to Lindsey Nickel, Napa-based wedding planner and founder of Lovely Day Events, bridesmaids are usually expected to pay for their own dresses. The bride may have a vision of what she wants her bridesmaids to wear, but the method of selecting dresses can vary. Some may opt for all bridesmaids to wear the same dress, while others may take a more relaxed approach to shopping (which can help keep costs down).
Nickel also notes that bridesmaids are responsible for purchasing any additional accessories for the wedding day. If you're given the freedom to shop around, there are several money-saving tricks you can use. If you're allowed to choose your own jewelry and shoes, consider looking through what you already have or visiting thrift stores and websites like Facebook Marketplace. This can help you find a good deal. In addition, if you're asked to pay for your own hair and makeup, it's important to talk with the bride beforehand so that everyone is on the same page about expectations and contributions. When it comes to bachelorette parties, it's usually expected that bridesmaids will cover the cost.
This includes food, decorations, and other expenses that are typically divided among the bridesmaids (or sometimes the bride's parents or other close friends). If you have to travel for the wedding party, transportation costs such as plane tickets will likely fall on you as a bridesmaid. Risatti suggests that brides choose their bridesmaid dresses as soon as possible so that each of the maids has enough time to save up for the dress. It's important for brides to consider both cost and body type when selecting their outfits for the wedding day. It's also likely that other members of the bridal party such as the bride's mother and sisters will want or need to be involved in the planning process.
To make sure everyone is comfortable with costs involved, it's best to talk about it beforehand. If all options have been exhausted and there is still an impasse, it may be necessary for a bridesmaid to take on a different role in the wedding. Additionally, some brides may offer to split travel and lodging costs or set up blocks of hotel rooms at discounts.
