Who pays for the bridesmaid dresses?

panpipe

Although we haven't really started looking yet, I'm already getting worried about the etiquette of buying the bridesmaid dresses. Is there even one?!

My sister is one of the bridesmaids and my grandmother has said that she would like to buy the outfits for me and her. We have a budget of £3000 for this!

The other bridesmaid is my fiance's sister. I'm really not sure whether I should ask her to buy her own dress, or whether I should buy it for her. The main issue is that we may pick out quite an expensive one from gran's money so I wouldn't want to ask her for a lot, although we probably wouldn't be able to afford it either!

Like I said we haven't started looking yet, we may well end up getting something cheap in the sale so problem solved! Can't help but look at the worst-case scenario though...

Tigerlee_2

Hello.
:hello:
Personally i wouldn't expect your bridesmaid to pay for her own dress. She will be spending a lot on the wedding anyway e.g. present, hen party.
I didn't have a lot to spend on my own wedding but i did buy the girls dresses, shoes and assessories (got them in Next!). They also got to keep them after.
However, i know someone who gave her b'maid the choice, if the bride payed then the b'maid didn't keep the dress but could keep it if she paid for it.
x

JimmyTheWig

The general rule is that bridesmaids dresses would come out of the wedding budget. In the past that would have meant the father of the bride paying, but I think that concept is a little out-dated now.
Basically, I guess I'm saying, it's your responsibility.

liza83_2

ive been cheeky annd asked my bridesmaids to buy their own. but they do get to choose the dress themselves. and they are all fine with that

ceebeeby

You must know her and love her very well to have asked her to be your bridesmaid. On this basis, have a discussion with her, being really up front, and see what you can agree between you. She may already be wondering the same, and appreciate the openness.

Good luck x

chalky_75

As your Grandma is being so incredibly generous could you not just ask Grandma if she minds if her money could be used for all the bridesmaids dresses as it would really help you.

panpipe

Do you know I hadn't actually thought of asking my gran! How daft of me.

I've also heard of the arrangement where if the bride pays the b'maid doesn't keep the dress and vice versa - but then what would I do with a bridesmaid dress hanging around in the wardrobe?!

Horace

panpipe wrote: »

Do you know I hadn't actually thought of asking my gran! How daft of me.

I've also heard of the arrangement where if the bride pays the b'maid doesn't keep the dress and vice versa - but then what would I do with a bridesmaid dress hanging around in the wardrobe?!

You could sell the dress on Ebay. Still, I think its commonplace that the bridesmaid gets to keep her dress.

maemaesmummy

I paid (well dad did!!) for my bridesmaids dresses.. after all they are doing you the favour..

lrr_2

If I was asked to be a bridesmaid I wouldnt expect to pay for the dress.

Your wedding, your day, you pay.

Guests already pay out enough on gifts, outfits, nights out etc.

Just my opinion though

carolineb23

If I were a bridesmaid I wouldn't expect to pay for my own dress but then I wouldn't expect to keep it either. I was bridesmaid for my friend, she paid for the dress and I gave it back, however when she was my bridesmaid I paid for the dress and she kept it!"