Are you paying for your bridesmaids dresses?

[DRB]

My 3 BMs are paying for their dresses but we're putting $500 towards each member of the wedding party's trip, my girls are getting nicer tote bags (with what the guests will get plus makeup, Starbucks travel mugs, Club Monaco leather notebooks, necklaces etc..), I'm paying for their hair, I'm going to get my MOH a coach wristlet/wallet (haven't decided yet) and we're taking our parents and all members of the wedding party on a catamaran trip...

 

Wow, I think that I may be going a bit overboard now that I think about it (I have gotten everything on sale or on ebay so far though). I just keep buying things and forgetting about the other things that I've already bought them..eek!

[purrfected]

Ok, I think I may be the cheapest bride thus far. I recycled! My 2 bridesmaids are wearing the dresses that we wore in my maid of honor's wedding 2 yrs ago. They are simple champagne colored tea length dresses that are sexy. I loved that dress. I gave the dress that I wore to my maid of honor and my other BM was in that wedding too, so she is getting to wear her dress for the 2nd time!!! I bought their shoes and jewelry and am going to pay for our spa treatments the morning of the wedding. My friend is a makeup artist and her gift is to do all of our makeup! (One less expense, I told u guys I was a cheap bride!)

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with paying for your BM's dresses if you

have the extra money, but I don't think that most people expect it. I do think that it is a nice gesture in this economy to try to be somewhat conservative and not expect the wedding party to go into debt. Just my opinion....

[sunstarsmoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purrfected Ok, I think I may be the cheapest bride thus far. I recycled! My 2 bridesmaids are wearing the dresses that we wore in my maid of honor's wedding 2 yrs ago. They are simple champagne colored tea length dresses that are sexy. I loved that dress. I gave the dress that I wore to my maid of honor and my other BM was in that wedding too, so she is getting to wear her dress for the 2nd time!!! I bought their shoes and jewelry and am going to pay for our spa treatments the morning of the wedding. My friend is a makeup artist and her gift is to do all of our makeup! (One less expense, I told u guys I was a cheap bride!) I don't think there is anything wrong with paying for your BM's dresses if you have the extra money, but I don't think that most people expect it. I do think that it is a nice gesture in this economy to try to be somewhat conservative and not expect the wedding party to go into debt. Just my opinion....

What a great idea to reuse a previous dress. I think that is great!!



We are buying MOH, my kids (walking me down the aisle) and BM their clothes and accessories

[frazali]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purrfected Ok, I think I may be the cheapest bride thus far. I recycled! My 2 bridesmaids are wearing the dresses that we wore in my maid of honor's wedding 2 yrs ago. They are simple champagne colored tea length dresses that are sexy. I loved that dress. I gave the dress that I wore to my maid of honor and my other BM was in that wedding too, so she is getting to wear her dress for the 2nd time!!! I bought their shoes and jewelry and am going to pay for our spa treatments the morning of the wedding. My friend is a makeup artist and her gift is to do all of our makeup! (One less expense, I told u guys I was a cheap bride!) I don't think there is anything wrong with paying for your BM's dresses if you have the extra money, but I don't think that most people expect it. I do think that it is a nice gesture in this economy to try to be somewhat conservative and not expect the wedding party to go into debt. Just my opinion....

I agree with Sunstarsmoon - GREAT idea - and really thoughtful for everyone.

[n&n112109]

My girls are paying for their own dresses...The ended up being about 150.00 BUT I am paying for their hair, makeup and getting them really nice gifts....

[staceyp]

Hi all,

Great tips from everyone! We have decided our bridesmaids will buy their own dresses, we have chosen them together and they should be-able to wear them again in the future.

[claire.cw.watson]

Im paying for my 2 BM dresses and the flower girl dress. I really dont think there is a right or wrong way of doing things.

 

I love that people are re-wearing dresses, nothing wrong with that!

[KimmyG]

I am hoping to pick out something that they're likely to enjoy, reasonably priced, and buy it for them (as long as I can afford it). My BM's all have different tastes so I thought it'd be easiest if I made the executive decision and then paid for it so they didn't have any room to complain

Like others have said, i think it's a very nice, unexpected gesture, if you're able to spring it. I plan to look at victoria's secret, jcrew, etc, and catch a sale.

[*Meagan*]

We are paying for my bridesmaids dresses, the grooms mens attire, the ring bearers outfits, and the flower girls dress. I think were nuts lol! They are all expensive except for the little ones clothes. BUt I feel like we should pay for them seeing that we are having them travel so far for our wedding. They will pay for their own alterations if needed.

 

I was wondering what other peoples thoughts were on this, good thread!

[Tilly in the Sun]

I paid for my girls dresses (MOH and 3 BM's) only because I know it is a HUGE expense for them to pay for to travel for the wedding, and I didn't feel right asking them to pay for a dress they would probably never wear again. I think whatever works for your budget is what works for you..there isn't a right or wrong way to do it.

I do wish that I would have shopped around a bit though...I only looked in bridal stores for the BM dresses and they ended up costing a little over $200 a piece. I should have been smarter and had a bit more patience and went to a non bridal store where I could have probably found really cute dresses for a lot less. Ah well...I am sure it will all balance out in the end :-)