Back when we first got engaged, I grappled a lot with who I should choose to be in my bridal party. I had to take a lot of things into consideration... my relationship with these ladies, how often I see them, how often I talk to them, and of course... whether or not they could afford it.
It's no secret that being a bridesmaid isn't cheap.
According to this article, bridesmaids can spend anywhere from $500-$1500 in the name of the wedding. Here's an example:
Dress: $210
Alterations: $75
Shoes: $25
Strapless Bra: $40
Hair, Nails, and Makeup: $150, including tips
Travel: $300
Shower Gifts: $70
Contribution to Shower: $30
Bachelorette Party: $100
Wedding Present: $100
Total = $1100
The cost can be even higher if you're a Maid of Honor. But this girl? She's not a bridezilla. So what am I doing to keep down the costs?
- I'm asking my ladies to choose any dress they'd like, as long as it's navy blue and knee length. I would never demand they wear a $500 dress of my choosing.
- My bridesmaids will be wearing non-matching silver heels. I'm hoping they already own a pair... but if not, I've given them enough notice so they can score a good bargain before June.
- Their wedding day hair will be paid for. My hairstylist will be doing everyone's hair, and is offering of a steal of a deal.... so covering their 'dos is no problem.
- Bridesmaid makeup will be 100% DIY. My girls are adults and have been doing their own makeup for over a decade. They know what looks good on them and what will make them feel the most comfortable.
- Travel is an unavoidable expense, but I'm trying to help out by having us all meet in the middle (that being Dayton, Ohio) for dress shopping. I will be paying for our hotel room while we're there. It's the least I can do.
- Lastly, I have requested (more like demanded) that none of my bridesmaids throw us a shower or buy us gifts for the shower or the wedding itself. Being by my side is gift enough.
Dress: $200
Alterations: $75
Shoes: $25
Hair, Nails, and Makeup: $15
Travel: $200 (on average)
Bachelorette Party: $100
Total = $615
It's still a good chunk of change, but we knocked off a whopping $485! And since I'm only having 3 bridesmaids, I'm hoping that they really grasp just how special they are to me. It's not one of those situations where they are one of twelve and don't feel appreciated.
I love them all to death and am so proud to have them there for me during this time.
3 comments:
It's funny..I tried to keep the costs down for my bridesmaids, because two of them have to fly cross country, and another one has to drive like, 3 hours. All of their travel costs are well over $300, even the one who lives 3 hours away (she's staying 3 nights in a hotel). I gave them a choice of 4 dresses ranging from $160-$215. They all picked the $215 dress. I said I didn't care if they got their hair and makeup done, but I could add them to my "group" to get a deal if they wanted to. They ALL chose to get it professionally done. I said I didn't care what shoes they picked as long as they don't look like a hooker--they all want to buy new shoes. WTF ladies? I'm trying to make it cheap on you!
Plus, one of them got us a VERY expensive gift at my first shower. I think two of the other girls did too, based on my registry stalking--I'll find out Saturday.
It's so hard to keep costs down! And like ELK wrote, sometimes the girls want to spend for the sake of beauty, haha!
I got lucky and found a killer steal on Black Friday for BM dresses. But, like ELK, I gave the ladies options to DIY hair/make-up and wear shoes they already own, but they insisted on getting their hair done and wearing matching new shoes. Ugh. I guess I should be happy???
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