Being a bridesmaid is stressful business. You help the bride-to-be with planning, announcement stuffing, dress shopping… You name it, you’re probably busy helping with it when it comes to the wedding. It’s always kind of tricky to know what you are expected to pay for or not, so here’s a breakdown of what is traditionally covered by the bride, and what you should plan on paying for yourself. Keep in mind that this is just a guideline and it’s never a bad idea to talk to the bride about what she expects so that there are no surprises.
Your Costs
Traveling to the wedding location, as well as your hotel, is something you need to plan for. If you have to travel far don’t be afraid to talk to the bride about how this might create a strain on you, it’s better to be honest in the beginning vs having to back out last minute due to financial situations.
Your amazing bridesmaid dress that you will “totally be able to wear again” as well as all of the bells and whistles of the look are your job. Sometimes brides are feeling very generous and will buy your dress for you, but be prepared to pay for it yourself just in case.
Bridal showers and bachelorette parties are a combined effort of all bridesmaids. Usually the Maid of Honor will head up the planning, but all bridesmaids are responsible for costs in different ways. This might mean you all split the bill evenly, or maybe someone covers food while someone else covers decor. That is something that you will all want to discuss and make sure everyone is on board with the plan.
Gifts for the bride and/or the happy couple are also on you. This is never expected from any guest (especially one who has already spent so much time and money on helping make their dream wedding a reality), but keep it in mind that it is something you might want to consider.
Already Covered For You
The great news is that all flowers that you need to carry that day are covered. Trust me when I say that flowers add up quickly, so be thankful that this is covered.
Any transportation that is necessary the day of the wedding is already covered. From ceremony to reception, you do not have to worry about how you are getting out and about.
Since you’ve already paid for the dress, shoes, and accessories, your hair and makeup is covered. This helps reduce any stress you might be feeling that morning, and it helps create a consistent look for the entire bridal party. Added bonus, professionals will use a makeup that will stay through tears during the ceremony and sweat from the dance floor.
While you are enjoying the hair and makeup session, you should also expect to see some food and drinks. It might not be a full meal, but you need that blood sugar to stay up. No one wants a bridesmaid to pass out during the ceremony because they hadn’t had enough to eat that day.
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