Budgeting For Bridesmaids: What They Should Expect To Pay For!
Money is an awkward topic of conversation, isn't it? No one likes to discuss how much things cost unless they’re bragging about the savings that they made when shopping this weekend. When it comes to talking about your wedding plans with your bridal party, they’ll need to know what is expected of them. Of course, you pay for your wedding, but the bridal party have their own things to pay for, their own jobs to consider. For example, they’ll be thinking about the bridal shower and being there for your hen party.
The most meaningful conversation you’ll have, other than the one where you ask them to head to searchbycolors.com to find their bridesmaids dresses, is in what they have to pay for. There are some traditions, and you can take or leave some of them. The costs can include:
Hotel and Travel
You may pay for your maid of honour to be in the venue with you the night before your wedding, but you need to consider the costs of the other bridesmaids. They’ll need to get to your wedding and have somewhere to stay, so ask them what they can afford and roll with that. Get a general idea among the group so that you know what you can do to help. You could block book at the local hotel so that you get a discount for your friends.
Wedding Ensemble
You may choose to pay for their bridesmaid dresses, but ask the girls to pay for their own shoes and accessories. You could include jewellery in their bridesmaids’ boxes as a thank you gift for being a part of your day.
Bridal Shower/Hen Party
Not many brides get both of these, but your bridesmaids are in charge of both of these events. They’ll spend money on the evening that you all have together, as well as gifts and decor. This is up to them to come together and pay for.
As the bride, you have your own set of costs to cover for your bridesmaids. These include:
Flowers
From the floral accessories to bridesmaids’ bouquets, you’ll need to pay for these. These should be in your flower budget anyway, but don’t forget to pay for these for them - and don't expect to receive the money back.
Transport
It’s up to you to cover transport between your wedding venue and the reception venue, even if you’re not covering transport to the church at the start of the day.
Hair and Makeup
You should pay for any professional hair and makeup if you’ve requested it. They could do their own, so you must know who has the skills to do their own hair and makeup before you book a professional.
Your bridesmaids are going to have their own budgets to accommodate as well as be supporting you, so know what they can afford before you dictate anything to them about what to buy. Budget is essential, and it’s respectful to understand what their limits are!