Who Should Buy Bridesmaid Dresses.
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Whats your opinion on this.. who should buy the bridesmaid dresses? The bride or the bridesmaids? Ive seen loada of different opinions on this. 
This is a tricky one - our cousins across the pond are gradually asking the bridesmaid to buy their own so I'm guessing it will soon catch on here. The only problem is that the style, colour etc is the choice of the Bride and the end choice will be a once-only wear so it does seem unfair for the Bridesmaid to shell out for it. On the other hand there are some very hard to please bridesmaids who won't wear long, don't want their shoulders showing, refuse to wear a particular colour......it goes on. A good compromise would be a joint decision on the style and colour and go half each on the chosen dress. Don't envy you.
I have chosen my bridesmaids but they are picking dresses they want ect. They are all different sizes and fussy with the dresses they want.. not off the shoulder.. not low cut.. ect ect. I just thought i would be paying for them but my friend has said she will buy her own because she would.have bought a new dress to attend the wedding anyway. Its a weird one because everyone has different opinions on it.
LauraStephens As I said, opinions are changing - there was a time when the Bride has total control an paid but it sounds very much like you have chosen well with your choice of friends to celebrate your day. Lucky girl.
I paid for everything for my bridesmaids as I had asked them to be part of my day and I had budgeted for it. I told them they could have whatever dress they wanted, didn't need to wear the same dress, as long as it came in lilac and they were happy that was good enough for me. Luckily for me my bridesmaids were easy to please and would have work whatever I told them too.
When I was a bridesmaid I paid for my own dress, shoes, jewellery and make up. It was for my mother in laws wedding and paying for it was a part of our wedding present to her.
My bridesmaids picked dresses they could wear again, as did I. Think if you have a certain dress that you want them to wear then you should offer to pay.
I have offered to pay mine but one of the girls has said she would have bought a new dress anyway so she will buy her own. She also thinks the others should buy theirs too.. i dont mind paying i just think its mad how there are so many different opinions on it lol
LauraStephens I know! It's crazy. I would say just do what everyone agrees with. Less hassle that way
This is really difficult. I personally think if you're the bride then the most important to think amount is either making sure what you choose is affordable for your bridesmaids and make it clear that they are expecting the costs, or it needs to be you that pays.
You ask someone to be your bridesmaid and if you are the one choosing to have the full on wedding then why should they pay for it. At my best mates wedding I was the best man. The suit was chosen for me and I simply went to the hire shop for the fitting. I suppose it may come across as easier for the men. Although this means that if something specific is required for the bridesmaid then it should be purchased for them in my opinion.
I am letting my bridesmaid pick their own dress ect.. one of the bridesmaid said she will pay for her own dress as she would have bought a dress anyway (even though i have offered to pay for them all) its madness the opinions around this.. everyone has different views. I would be happy to pay for their dresses but already one of them arnt happy with that lol
LauraStephens If they offer then this is a money saving bonus!! As long as you make sure they know you are prepared to pay for it and that you may be paying for others then this would stop any potential problems in the future. Sounds great to me as weddings can be expensive and any money saved is great. You have a very lovely friend.
I bought my three bridesmaids their dresses, purely because its not something they are ever likely to wear again.. I asked them to buy their own shoes, in the same style as each other and I paid for their hair and make up, dress and presents for them..
i wouldnt expect any of them to pay however they have said they will buy their own. I was a bridesmaid a few years ago and got everything payed for me.. but based on some opinions i have heard i think times are changing.
Maybe I’m old fashioned but I still firmly believe the brides family should pay as I doubt the chosen dress will never be worn again. These days bridesmaid dresses are donated to charity teenager prom sites for those not fortunate to be able to afford a beautiful gown.
It’s generous for the bridesmaid to volunteer to pay for it - shows that she’s a considerate friend and definitely worthy as a bridesmaid 
But in general, it’s the bride’s big day and so the bride (or whoever is forking out for the event) ought to pay
I have said i will pay for her but due to health reasons she cant wear the same dress as the others so is paying to have one made.
If you ask someone to be a bridesmaid and you want them all to wear a certain dress that they choose then you should pay for it. If you ask them and let them choose their own dress but it have to be a certian style or colour then i would give them all a budget of say £50 and if they go over then they have to pay the rest. If you choose bridesmaids and are happy for them to come however then they can pay as they would have to buy and outfit to wear anyway.
This is my friends approach. She said she would have payed for a new dress anyway so whats the difference. I have said i will pay.. i have said if she wont allow that then let me.pay half but she isnt having any of it. X
I think the bride or whiever is paying for the wedding should pay for the bridesmaids dresses. Some people spend loads on them and i wouldnt want to pay all that money to wear a dress once.
Im having quite an earthy wedding so bridesmaid dresses arnt going to be expensive. I have no problem paying for all their needs but they all have their own ideas about what i can pay for. X
i'm old school so if you ask someone to be your bridesmaid then you pay for their dress at the very least and also buy them a gift for being your bridesmaid, why would you pay not after all?
This is what i thought.. i just thought its a given that i pay for their dresses ect but they all have different ideas. I have however got them all gifts ready 
Many might refuse to be a bridesmaid if they have to cough up for a dress they can only wear once...that's if they even like the dress. I know I'd refuse!
I was bridesmaid a few years ago and had everything payed for for me which is what i expected to do for my bridesmaids. However they all have different ideas on what i should pay for and shouldnt. Its weird how all the opinions differ. I certainly wouldnt want to be bridesmaid if i was expected to cover all costs. X
i bought all my bridesmaids thing's and my page boy's and flower girl's
i did'nt think it was right for me to ask them if they would like to be a bridesmaid ext and then tell them they would have to pay.
i personally think that it is only right if the bride want's someone to have that role in her wedding that she should cover the cost
I agree. My bridesmaids all have dofferent opinions on what they think i should spend my mo ey on ect. If they wont allow me to pay for their dresses then i guess i will have to sort out a few kick ass gifts for them
The bride. It's her wedding. I have been a Bridesmaid several times and have never been asked to pay for my dress.
I guess times have changed and everyone feels entitled to ask for help if they are on a budget. I can understand it. But, I personally could never ask anyone to pay if I am inviting people to an event organised by myself. Whether that be a wedding or any event. Xx
Ceebers I think only fair to ask them buy their dress if they can choose what they like. I would not spend my money on a purple or pink dress I would not wear again in my life. Would just opt our from the wedding.
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