The debate is real: who should foot the bill for bridesmaids’ dresses, the bride or the bridesmaids themselves?
I hopped into the “Help! I’m Getting Married” Facebook group, where folks planning their weddings can ask questions, get advice, and share tips. One woman there asked, “I’m a bit confused. Do the bridesmaids pay for their dresses, or does the bride pay?”
Opinions flew in. Many believe the bride should pay since she picked her bridesmaids for the special day.
One person firmly stated, “Bride and groom pay for everything for the wedding party.”
Another agreed, saying, “My bridesmaids aren’t paying for a thing. I asked them, so they shouldn’t be expected to.”
A third added, “Definitely the bride.”
Some took it further, suggesting the bride should also cover the cost of hotel rooms, hair, and makeup for the bridesmaids.
One shared, “I’m paying for everything—hair, makeup, dresses, and rooms. I don’t want them spending on anything needed for the wedding. I even have gift boxes with their jewelry and hair accessories for the morning.”
Another bride-to-be said, “I’m covering my bridesmaids’ dresses, hair, makeup, bags, and jewelry. The girls will get their own shoes.”
A third bride chimed in, “I had three bridesmaids and I paid for everything—dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry, and hair and makeup. I also paid for the hotel stay the night before since we were getting married there.”
Others pointed out that there are no strict rules; it’s up to the bride and her bridesmaids to decide.
One noted, “There are no rules, as long as everyone knows from the start where they stand. It’s all down to what your budget is. We paid for our bridesmaids’ dresses, hair, makeup, and room for the night, plus a gift of jewelry.”
BRIDESMAIDS PAYING THEIR OWN WAY
Some said the customs vary by country. For instance, in Ireland, it’s typically the bride who pays for the bridesmaids’ dresses.
One woman explained, “Here in Ireland, the bride pays. I’ve been in five weddings in the US and had to pay for my dress, shoes, hair, makeup, etc. But that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”
Others felt bridesmaids should pay for their own dresses since brides already face huge costs and stress.
One shared, “My sister-in-law is having eight bridesmaids. We are paying for our own dresses.”
Another said, “My bridesmaids are buying their own dresses. I just told them the color, and they picked the ones they love and showed me.”
She joked, “I don’t want three flower vases as bridesmaids.”
CONSUMMATING WEDDING VOWS
Meanwhile, a curious bride-to-be stirred up a different conversation, wondering if couples plan to consummate their vows on their wedding night.
The anonymous bride asked on Facebook, “Do any of you brides actually plan on consummating your wedding on your wedding night? I have my mum in the next room and my sisters on the other side. I asked my hubby-to-be and he replied, ‘Babe, you’ll probably wake up in your dress.’ Nineteen years together and he never fails to shock me.”
Responses were pretty unanimous.
One user wrote, “I plan on sleeping… We’ve talked about it and said, ‘Listen, it’s gonna be a long day, so if we don’t do it on our wedding night, we’ll do it the next morning.’”
Another said, “I told my fiancé if we don’t, we’re getting an annulment. But in reality, we’ll probably both just pass out.”
Many explained that the wedding day itself is so long and tiring that sleep is often the only appealing option.
One commented, “We went to bed at half five in the morning in our clothes… so no!”
Share your thoughts in the comments down below!
