Generally speaking, bridesmaids are expected to pay for their own dresses and accessories as well as potentially hair and makeup appointments and transportation to the wedding. According to Gottsman, bridesmaids should be prepared to cover the costs for these expenses once they accept the offer.
“It's very common in Australia for the bride to pay for the bridesmaid dresses. This varies overseas but if the bride wants something specific it seems fair for her to shoulder the cost. It's not uncommon however nowadays for the bride and bridesmaid to split the cost.”
It's standard for the bride to cover the cost of bouquets, transportation to and from the wedding venue, and a gift to her bridesmaids. Optional costs may include hair and makeup, hotel accommodations, bridesmaids' dresses, and a bridesmaids' luncheon (if hosted by the bride).
The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to cover all wedding attire costs. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you'll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.
Typically, the maid of honor pays for smaller-ticket items, like a bachelorette sash or tiara, decorations, and swag for the other party guests. If you, as the bride, don't want to pay for these smaller items, our advice is to give your friends space to take the reins.
We'd say there's a fairly solid consensus that the couple should pay for anything beauty-related for bridesmaids, like hair, makeup, tans or nails. Basically, anything that affects the way the girls look that the bride has specifically requested.
Typically, the deposit that needs to be paid for the hens party package would be covered by the bridal party, by the bridesmaids or Maid of Honour paying upfront for their cost. The rest of the invitees then pay the chief bridesmaid their per head cost.
Bridesmaid dresses
If you're on a tight budget and you can't afford to cover the cost of the dresses, it's reasonable to ask your bridesmaids to pay for them. These are some of your closest friends and family, so you'll probably find they are very understanding.
WeddingWire reported the average bridesmaid dress cost $208, plus costs for alterations, another $120 on accessories, and $132 on professional hair and makeup. If traveling to another city for the wedding, bridesmaids average $115 on travel and $205 on accommodations.
The groom's family financed the rehearsal dinner, the officiant's fee, marriage license, and the groom paid for the bride's engagement and wedding rings and honeymoon.
“It's very common in Australia for the bride to pay for the bridesmaid dresses. This varies overseas but if the bride wants something specific it seems fair for her to shoulder the cost. It's not uncommon however nowadays for the bride and bridesmaid to split the cost.”
Traditionally, brides present their bridesmaids with gifts at the rehearsal dinner. Typically, the bride will give a toast to their bridesmaids and present them with their gifts one by one. For a change of pace, you might consider scheduling a bridal luncheon just for the girls.
The “Maid Of Honor”, is the principle Bridesmaid. Usually a sister, very close friend, or confidant, that the Bride can rely on. Basically, the Maid Of Honor is the assistant to the Bride.
"The bride should cover the cost of her wedding party's hair and makeup, especially if she's requesting or encouraging them to have it done," says Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events. Meyer says most of his brides fund bridesmaid hair and makeup for their crew.
On average, you'll find that most brides choose to have between 4 to 6 bridesmaids . Also, it is not necessary to match the number of bridesmaids to the groomsmen .
The principal bridesmaid, if one is so designated, may be called the chief bridesmaid or maid of honor if she is unmarried, or the matron of honor if she is married.
Generally speaking, bridesmaids are expected to pay for their own dresses and accessories as well as potentially hair and makeup appointments and transportation to the wedding. According to Gottsman, bridesmaids should be prepared to cover the costs for these expenses once they accept the offer.
The bride's side of the family traditionally pays for the bride's wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses. Increasingly, however, bridesmaids are paying for their own dresses.
The Maid or Matron of Honor: The maid or matron of honor will walk alone after other bridal party members. The Flower Girl(s) and/or Ring Bearer(s): The children chosen will walk down the aisle one after the other. They can sit with their parents once they are done.
Many are now planned over a whole weekend, with a packed schedule of activities and international travel. Best men and bridesmaids now need to be logistical experts, arranging everything from flights to fun, booze to food, taxis to beds. And as these parties have grown in length and complexity, the costs have rocketed.
Typically, whoever throws the event is the one must cover the costs. Often, the maid of honor and her fellow bridesmaids throw the bridal shower and pay for it, and the mother of the bride contributes.
According to tradition, the bride and her family should cover the majority of expenses including the bride's dress, venue hire, cake, decorations and other services, while the groom's main responsibilities are to pay for the engagement ring, honeymoon and the flowers for the bride.
A kitchen tea is often hosted by the mother of the bride, her mother-in-law, or even the bridesmaids; they are the ones who pay.