Let’s Stop Asking Our Bridesmaids To Drain Their Bank Accounts For The Wedding
Did you know that the average amount of money a bridesmaid spends being in a wedding is $1,200? Weddings have become such a spectacle that it’s even a large investment for those in the bridal party. Is this really necessary?
Like Jane in 27 Dresses, I have been a bridesmaid many times. It’s almost comical. I’ve also been the bride, and I'm a hairstylist, so I've been a part of more weddings than I can count. All of this wedding experience has given me an interesting perspective on things.
I want to preface this by saying that it is truly an honor to be asked to stand by the bride on her wedding day, and most bridesmaids are willing to front whatever money is needed to be part of the day. But I think, as the bride, we often forget that although we don’t mind investing a lot of money into our own wedding, the people we ask to be in the wedding party might not have a bunch of money to invest into it too.
The Duties of a Bridesmaid
There are several roles that a bridesmaid takes on when she accepts the position. All of these things come with a price tag. Remember that, as a bride, when you ask someone to be in the wedding, you’re asking them to be a part of these things too.
The dress shopping. Typically when the bride goes shopping for her dress, she takes her bridesmaids with her for support. And in the process, maybe find the bridesmaid dresses they will wear on the big day.
Did you know that the average price of a bridesmaid’s dress is $208? This cost doesn’t include alterations or accessories. Alteration costs vary depending on what you need done, but can range from $75-150. Then don’t forget you need shoes and jewelry to go with it.
The bridal shower. The person who pays for the bridal shower can all depend on the bride, but traditionally, the bridesmaids throw the bridal shower and pay for it, and the mother of the bride contributes. The biggest cost of the shower is the catering/food provided. Bridesmaids are supposed to help throw the shower and keep track of the gifts the bride receives so later she can reference who gave what gifts.
The average amount of money a bridesmaid spends being in a wedding is $1,200.
The bachelorette party. Obviously, every bride is different, so there isn’t one correct way to do the bachelorette party. But many brides have turned this event into a week or weekend-long trip rather than a night out. The maid of honor is supposed to coordinate this event, so the main costs are on her. To take a trip somewhere for several days is a huge cost to the bridesmaids because they pay for transportation costs (plane ticket or gas), room costs, food, and they also cover the cost of the bride.
CNBC reported that “In 2019, 56% of women threw bachelorettes that lasted for two or more days, and nearly 40% of attendees who flew in for the event reported spending over $1,000, according to wedding website Weddingwire. Even more mind-blowing is that one in 10 people reported spending $4,000 or more.” It doesn’t need to be this expensive to have fun. If your bridesmaids aren’t at a place in life where they can afford something like this, just have a girls’ night out. It will still be memorable.
Gifts. Don’t forget that along with the wedding attire and events, you need a gift for the engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding. Maybe the bride doesn’t expect a gift for these things if you’re in the wedding, but I have never been in a wedding where I didn’t get a gift for these events.
Wedding day costs. On the big day, if the bride requires hair and makeup to be a certain way, you could spend at least $150 on these services. Many bridal parties go together to get manicures and pedicures before the wedding day as well. Nail services can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 or more depending on what kind of nail services you get. These prices all vary but from head to toe, you could really be spending a lot of money for your wedding day glam.
Do These Things To Lessen the Costs for Your Bridesmaids
The great thing about having a wedding in our culture is that it doesn't have to be traditional, and there are really no rules. Some of the weddings I was in were not costly for me. And when planning my own wedding I considered all of these things to avoid putting a financial burden on my bridal party. Here are some tips I’ve picked up over the years:
Bridesmaid dresses don't have to be expensive. When I tell you there are no rules, there are really no rules! My bridesmaids wore $40 dresses that they found from a random boutique section of a home décor store! You can also shop from online stores that are more cost-friendly and have plenty of options for bridesmaid dresses, like Azazie, Birdy Grey, Baltic Born, Lulus, and Kennedy Blue. There are so many dresses from these websites for under $100!
Gift your bridesmaids their wedding jewelry. If you want all the girls to wear similar accessories on the wedding day, gift it to them! It’s often a tradition to gift the bridesmaids with something when it gets closer to the wedding day. Etsy and Amazon are great for finding personalized gifts and accessories for the big day. Here are a few options: