Say “YES!” to being in a wedding party definitely comes with a price tag, as there are certain things your wedding party should pay for. Between gifts and parties, travel expenses and a new ensemble, the costs can add up very quickly. It’s always awkward to talk about money, especially with friends. We suggest having an open and honest dialogue about expectations with your crew early in the planning process. Our list of what your wedding party should (and shouldn’t!) pay for will help you get the conversation started!
Things The Wedding Party Should Expect To Pay For
Wedding Day Attire
Party members should expect to purchase their own attire, whether that means pay for a dress or renting a tuxedo or suit. Accessories like jewelry, shoes, or bowties should also be factored into their overall attire budget. Alternatively, you could help offset the cost by purchasing these accoutrements for them, or make them a part of your wedding party thank you gift.
Travel Costs & Accommodations
Being a part of the wedding party is even pricier for those who live out-of-town since they have to foot the bill for airfare, a hotel room for the weekend, and meals while traveling, on top of everything else. Even local wedding party members who want to get a hotel for the night should plan to pay their own way. Suggest that your friends pair up to carpool or go halfsies on a hotel room to help alleviate these costs.
Wedding Shower
Whomever is hosting your wedding shower should plan to cover the expenses. If the shower is being hosted by your friends, they should all chip in to the grand total. If your mom or family is hosting the soiree, your party member should still offer to contribute. Of course, this can be financially but they can also offer to help out in other ways that don’t involve an added expense, say by decorating, making centerpieces, picking up the cake, or putting together the favors.
Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
This is where things get a little tricky. If you are doing a traditional bachelorette party with a night out on the town or even something low key like a spa day, wine tasting, or night in, your wedding party should cover the food, drink, activities, and decor.
However, if you are taking a trip, your wedding party can’t possibly be expected to pay for the entire celebration. Each person – including the soonlywed – should cover their own travel expenses, and your group can cover meals as they normally would (split evenly between everyone or everyone manages their own bill). Your wedding party could always chip in and pay the soonlywed’s way for a fun group activity or gift!
Gifts
As if your wedding party members haven’t already spent enough money to be a part of your big day, they are still expected to get you a shower and a wedding gift. We weren’t kidding when we said being part of a wedding party was expensive!
Things The Wedding Party Should NOT Expect To Pay For
Bouquets & Boutonnieres
Just like the centerpieces, bride’s bouquet, and other floral decor, the wedding party’s bouquets and boutonnieres should be included in the overall flower budget, which is generally covered by one of the engaged couple’s family or the couple themselves. Wedding party members should never have to pay for these.
Hair & Makeup (in some cases)
This is another gray area. If you request that your party members get their hair and makeup professionally done, then you should foot the bill. On the other hand, an appointment with your glam squad could always be optional. In that case, your crew can cover the costs for any services they themselves opt into. A third option is to include one or both services as part of your thank you gift. Don’t forget to factor in a tip!
Wedding Day Meals
Obviously your wedding party members should be treated just like any other guest at your wedding reception and be fed dinner. But you should also think about earlier in the day as well. It’s going to be a loooong one and you should plan to treat your nearest and dearest to breakfast in the morning and lunch or snacks in the afternoon.
Wedding Day Transportation
Your crew will need to get from point A to point B. Whether it’s via a limo, party bus, or vintage school bus (ahem, Antique Coach Excursions is the coolest!), help them arrive in style. You should arrange and pay for wedding day transportation for your party members to get from the hotel or wherever they are getting ready, to the ceremony location, photo locations, reception venue, and then back to the hotel at the end of the night.
FAQs
Bridesmaids might pay entirely (or help pay) for the dress, accessories, the wedding shower, a shower gift, the bachelorette party, travel and hotel for the wedding day, and a wedding gift. Bridesmaids might also pay for their hair and makeup on the day of. But if the bride requires this, the bride might cover it.
What is the bridal party supposed to pay for? ›
Bridesmaids might pay entirely (or help pay) for the dress, accessories, the wedding shower, a shower gift, the bachelorette party, travel and hotel for the wedding day, and a wedding gift. Bridesmaids might also pay for their hair and makeup on the day of. But if the bride requires this, the bride might cover it.
What should the bride pay for for her bridesmaids? ›
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).
How much should bridesmaid give bride for wedding? ›
Want to know exactly how much to spend on a wedding gift so you can set your budget? To show appreciation for your role and to say congratulations to the couple, we suggest bridesmaids spend between $100 and $120 (or more), depending on your budget and whether or not you're splitting the cost with a plus-one.
Do bridesmaids buy the bride a gift? ›
The bridesmaid gift to the bride is a long-standing tradition. It marks the unique bond shared between you and your bestie. It doesn't need to be anything too extravagant. You may want to reference a joke or memory you share or add something you've both talked about doing together - like bottomless rosé at The Shard!
Should bridesmaids pay for anything? ›
Who pays for the bridesmaids' accessories? Similar to the shoes, it's usually the responsibility of the bridesmaids themselves to pay for any accessories they might want to wear, such as any jewellery or bags.
Who pays for a Jack and Jill bridal shower? ›
According to standard etiquette practice, a bridal shower is paid for by the person hosting the event, who, in most cases, is the maid of honor. However, in today's modern-day age, it's becoming quite common for the bridal party, mother-of-the-bride, and even the bride to chip in depending on who can afford what.
What does the bride pay for traditionally? ›
The topic of money can be touchy, and no one wants to inadvertently offend. Traditionally, the breakdown of expenses was very clear: The bride's family paid for the groom's ring, engagement party, the wedding and reception, a brunch the next day, and a belated reception (if there was one).
What does maid of Honors pay for? ›
Convention dictates that she's financially responsible for hosting the bridal shower and the bachelorette party, which can amount to several hundred (possibly even thousand) dollars, depending on the location and events planned.
What does the best man pay for? ›
Yes, we know you're spending a pretty hefty chunk of change on the whole best man thing (attire, bachelor party, travel expenses, etc.), but you still need to purchase a wedding gift. You might organize a group gift with the rest of the groomsmen, which can help you save some cash.
You should expect to spend within this wedding gift range for close family members and dear friends, especially if the gift is coming from you and your wedding date. If it's within budget, spending between $250 and $500 much on a wedding gift is customary for relatives of the couple.
How much money do you give a bride? ›
Catey Hill, resident financial expert at David's Bridal, says it's perfectly fine guests to write out a check to you. She says many brides and grooms actually prefer it. On average the typical cash gift is around $150, she says.
Does maid of honor get a bride gift? ›
Does the maid of honor get the bride a gift? Generally speaking, yes. Giving gifts is customary for the wedding party. (That is, unless the couple has expressed that they don't want presents from their VIPs.)
What is a bridesmaid responsible for paying? ›
Here in the US, bridesmaids typically pay for their shoes, dress, any alterations to said dress, hair and makeup if professional services are contracted, travel arrangements, accommodations and 2 gifts, one for the bridal shower, and one for the wedding gift.
What not to do as a bridesmaid? ›
10 Things a Bridesmaid Should Never Do-But Always Unknowingly...
- Complain about how she looks on the wedding day. ...
- Drink too much. ...
- Forego sunscreen. ...
- Harp about costs. ...
- Buy a size-too-small bridesmaid dress because she's sure she'll lose weight. ...
- Play the martyr. ...
- Weigh in on wedding decisions.
What should she gift her daughter? The mother of the bride has a wide range of options, depending on what she thinks her daughter will appreciate the most. It could be a customized hanger for her wedding dress or jewelry to wear to the ceremony, for example.
What is a bridal party in charge of? ›
Organize and help pay for the bachelorette party. Join you for wedding dress shopping and give their opinion, if you ask them for it. Provide personal assistance for a variety of wedding day tasks such as holding your bridal bouquet and running last-minute errands.
What does the bride traditionally pay for? ›
The Bride. If you're still following tradition, then the bride is only responsible for paying for the groom's wedding band and wedding gifts for her bridesmaids. However, there are many wedding costs (everything from a coordinator to flowers and décor) that are often shared between the bride and her family.
What is the maid of honor responsible for paying for? ›
Traditionally, these costs are inflated for the maid of honor. Convention dictates that she's financially responsible for hosting the bridal shower and the bachelorette party, which can amount to several hundred (possibly even thousand) dollars, depending on the location and events planned.
Is the bride supposed to pay for bachelorette party? ›
Exactly who pays for the bachelorette party will depend on the specific situation, but most commonly, the cost is split evenly between the attendants. Everyone is responsible for covering their own expenses, such as meals and accommodation, while also splitting the cost to cover most—or all—of the bride's expenses.
