One of my dear friend’s is getting married this week, and I am a bridesmaid in the wedding. Of course, I want to make sure that she gets her special day without going broke and lucky for my she understands budgeting and living on a dime so she hasn’t made any really expensive decisions for us bridesmaids.
HOWEVER, plan on spending at least $500 on everything and start saving the day you find out.
Dress: A bridesmaid dress will initially cost you at least $50-100, and often they cost a lot more. Mine was about $65. Then you will need to get it altered if it is a floor-length dress, or if you need adjustments to the waist etc. And believe me, you want to make sure that it fits right and looks good for the photos. So plan on another $60-120 in alterations. Mine was $60.
Accessories: You will likely need shoes, I got basic black pumps at DSW, perfect for the wedding and anything else I might need them for. They were about $45, and I made sure to use a $5 off coupon I got for my birthday. So I saved a few bucks there. You might also need shawls, jackets, tights/pantyhose, jewelry, hair accessories etc. (Plan on at least $100)
Hair and Nails: Every wedding I’ve photographed in the last two years has had a hair person for the bridal party, and likely the bridal party went to get their nails done a day or two before. Plan on $60 for hair, $45 (at least) for nails.
Gifts: Well it’s a given that you give a gift, you don’t skip that one, but you can choose to spend more or less. Be respectful and go with the registry if the couple has one, and then choose something you can afford. If you maybe can’t afford what you would like to get for them, I suggest getting a gift card, for at last $50 to the place they are registered, or even better cash, or a visa gift card. Another idea is to offer a skill as a gift, if you can paint, offer to make a gust book/art piece. If you photograph, offer to do the photography. If you sew, offer to make some things like ring pillows, dresses etc. Then you can save some money and make the wedding more unique for everyone.
Bridal Shower: This event usually precedes or is in tie with the bachelorette party, make sure to bring the blushing bride a little something like body care stuff, accessories, lingerie or gag gifts. It doesn’t need to be expensive and rather, the better gift, is something carefully picked out for your dear friend.
Hotels: Sometimes you might have to share in the cost of a bachelorette party hotel. Hopefully this won’t go over $50-100. If the wedding is out of town, you will likely need a hotel as well. We are spending about $250 for two nights out of town. But the hope is to have some nice alone time as a couple, and view it as a little bit of a vacation.
My tips to maybe save more money and make things easier for you is to make sure you talk to the couple first thing about what you maybe can or can’t afford. Talk with other bridesmaids/groomsmen/guests and see about splitting transport and hotel expenses. The second part of that, is to try your hardest to afford anything to make it easier on the couple who are paying a lot of money on their wedding and have to pay for a lot of stuff for you, and everyone else at the shindig. Try saving and paying for things a little at a time. Encourage everyone to save where they can, and try to remember that the wedding is for people you really care about and love. That’s the main thing. Making sure their day is awesome!
Best,
Rebecca Lee Robinson
HOWEVER, plan on spending at least $500 on everything and start saving the day you find out.
Dress: A bridesmaid dress will initially cost you at least $50-100, and often they cost a lot more. Mine was about $65. Then you will need to get it altered if it is a floor-length dress, or if you need adjustments to the waist etc. And believe me, you want to make sure that it fits right and looks good for the photos. So plan on another $60-120 in alterations. Mine was $60.
Accessories: You will likely need shoes, I got basic black pumps at DSW, perfect for the wedding and anything else I might need them for. They were about $45, and I made sure to use a $5 off coupon I got for my birthday. So I saved a few bucks there. You might also need shawls, jackets, tights/pantyhose, jewelry, hair accessories etc. (Plan on at least $100)
Hair and Nails: Every wedding I’ve photographed in the last two years has had a hair person for the bridal party, and likely the bridal party went to get their nails done a day or two before. Plan on $60 for hair, $45 (at least) for nails.
Gifts: Well it’s a given that you give a gift, you don’t skip that one, but you can choose to spend more or less. Be respectful and go with the registry if the couple has one, and then choose something you can afford. If you maybe can’t afford what you would like to get for them, I suggest getting a gift card, for at last $50 to the place they are registered, or even better cash, or a visa gift card. Another idea is to offer a skill as a gift, if you can paint, offer to make a gust book/art piece. If you photograph, offer to do the photography. If you sew, offer to make some things like ring pillows, dresses etc. Then you can save some money and make the wedding more unique for everyone.
Bridal Shower: This event usually precedes or is in tie with the bachelorette party, make sure to bring the blushing bride a little something like body care stuff, accessories, lingerie or gag gifts. It doesn’t need to be expensive and rather, the better gift, is something carefully picked out for your dear friend.
Hotels: Sometimes you might have to share in the cost of a bachelorette party hotel. Hopefully this won’t go over $50-100. If the wedding is out of town, you will likely need a hotel as well. We are spending about $250 for two nights out of town. But the hope is to have some nice alone time as a couple, and view it as a little bit of a vacation.
My tips to maybe save more money and make things easier for you is to make sure you talk to the couple first thing about what you maybe can or can’t afford. Talk with other bridesmaids/groomsmen/guests and see about splitting transport and hotel expenses. The second part of that, is to try your hardest to afford anything to make it easier on the couple who are paying a lot of money on their wedding and have to pay for a lot of stuff for you, and everyone else at the shindig. Try saving and paying for things a little at a time. Encourage everyone to save where they can, and try to remember that the wedding is for people you really care about and love. That’s the main thing. Making sure their day is awesome!
Best,
Rebecca Lee Robinson
