Who Pays for Bridesmaid Dresses?

Who is paying the cost of the bridesmaid dresses ultimately depends on local societal expectations, as well as the bridal party’s budget. For example, it’s usually expected within the US that the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, while UK brides typically foot the bill. Even this expectation can change if the cost of the bridesmaid dresses is high, there’s a large bridal party, or the bride or bridesmaids are on fixed budgets. So how does one navigate this touchy but important issue to ensure a happy wedding experience for everyone? Avery Austin has got you covered for tips on how to figure out who pays for the bridesmaid dresses and things to consider when making that decision. Let’s start by checking out the three main options for covering the bridesmaid dress cost.

Three Options for Paying for Bridesmaid Dresses

While the main people involved with covering the cost of bridesmaid dresses generally are the bridesmaids and the bridal couple, there are three ways they can approach paying for the bridesmaid dresses.

1. Bridesmaids pay for their own dresses. The reasoning here is that the bridesmaid accepted the invitation to play an important role in the wedding party and is therefore responsible for some necessary costs to make the bridal couple’s dreams come true…which can include the cost of the bridesmaid dress and other parts of the wedding day ensemble. Even if the bride chooses the gown, each bridesmaid pays for her own. In this case, bridesmaids are encouraged to start saving for wedding expenses (including the bridesmaid dress cost) from the moment they accept the invitation.
2. The bridal couple covers the cost of the bridesmaid dresses. This is most common with smaller wedding parties, but really any bride and groom who are financially able to make this commitment can choose to do so as a gesture of gratitude for the bridal party that will be by their sides on their big day. This goes a long way to making the experience more affordable for every bridesmaid, and it helps the bride with managing the order, delivery, and consistent color quality of the style she has chosen (dye lot variation is a real thing!). The cardinal rule in this, however, is to know thy budget! Even if the bride and groom would like to cover this expense, it simply may not be possible and should not be offered as an option unless they know for sure that they can do so within their bridal budget.
   
3. The bridal couple helps off-set the bridesmaid dress cost. In this case, the bride and groom would not be paying the full cost of the bridesmaid dresses, but they would find alternative ways to help make the financial commitment easier on the bridesmaids. One way to do this is for the bride and groom to offer to pay a certain amount or percentage toward the cost of each bridesmaid dress. Other bridal couples have offered to cover other expenses associated with their bridesmaids’ wedding day apparel. For example, they might offer to pay for alterations, a hair or makeup stylist, or matching jewelry and accessories. Again, it’s key that the bride and groom know their bridal budget well and plan such expenses into it.

Things to Consider About the Cost of Bridesmaid Dresses

If you are the bride, it’s important to keep in mind how the cost of bridesmaid dresses and the financial situation for each bridesmaid (and herself) can affect each person’s ability to play a role in the wedding. If you have been invited to be someone’s bridesmaid, keeping these same things in mind can help you decide if this is truly a role that you can step into at this time. Below are some questions and answers for brides and bridesmaids to consider before deciding who will be paying for bridesmaid dresses.

How much do bridesmaid dresses cost?

Last season, the average bridesmaid dress cost between $100 and $500. Quite the range! This makes it so important for brides and bridesmaids to talk early on about their budgets, especially if the bride will be choosing the gown. For example, if the bridal party really can’t spend more than $150 on a gown, then the bride can support this by only looking at styles at the price point or below. In this case, Avery Austin makes it easy with a collection of bridesmaid dresses under $150! The tighter the bridesmaid budget though, the harder this can be for brides looking to match a certain bridal theme or aesthetic. Which brings us to our next question…

What if a bridesmaid can’t afford to buy a dress?

Things get tricky when you’ve got a special person in your life who you want with you through your wedding, but they just don’t have the funds to participate traditionally as a bridesmaid. Whether they are currently students or between jobs, it can get difficult for a bridesmaid to set aside funds for the cost of a bridesmaid dress, the bridal shower, bachelorette party, etc. Here are a few ways a bride can work through this challenge with her bridesmaid:

The bride can…

• …pitch in privately. Of course, this starts by having a one-on-one chat to work out just how much help the bridesmaid needs in order to be able to participate fully in her role and how much help the bride is able to offer based upon her own budget. Maybe all that’s needed is a little help with the cost of the bridesmaid dress, but if it’s more, then it’s important to hash it all out right from the start to make sure this is truly an arrangement that can work for both bride and bridesmaid.
• …look into cost-saving options. A bride can commit to keeping the bridesmaid dress cost below a certain dollar amount, price shop at different locations to find the best deal on her chosen style, or even shop discount special-occasion gowns at after season sales with her bridesmaids.
  
• …consider mismatched styles. In this case, the bride sets the rule on what will tie the whole bridal party look together (a chosen color, neckline, accessory, etc.), then the bridesmaids can choose their own gowns within their budget as long as they fit the bride’s color or style rule. Be sure to check out Avery Austin’s tips on coordinating mismatched bridesmaid dresses in this blog about mixing or matching bridesmaid dress styles and this blog about coordinating mismatched bridesmaid dress colors.
• …offer her a different honorary role within the wedding. If it truly isn’t meant to be financially, you can still find a way to show them just how special they are to you. Maybe instead of the role of bridesmaid, this friend or family member can step in as an officiant or a reader during the ceremony. Think through how you want your ceremony and reception to play out, then consider ways they can be there to support you at a level they feel comfortable committing to at this time in their lives.

So what do bridesmaids pay for when they accept that invitation to the bridal party? As you’ve surely discovered so far, it truly is up to the bride and her bridesmaids. Clear communication right from the start (even upon offering the invitation to the bridal party) is key. If you’re the bride, you’ve got to let your bridesmaids know if they will be paying for their own dresses or if you plan to help with the bridesmaid dress cost in some way. This can make it easier for your loved ones to decide if they can take on the bridesmaid role and fully support you throughout your bridal adventure.