Being asked to be a bridesmaid at a wedding is always a great honor because it means that the person who’s tying the knot values your friendship and wants you to be part of one of the most important days of their life.
However, the question that arises is whether it’s the bridesmaids’ responsibility to pay for the dress or the bride’s.
Many believe that since the bride is the one who chooses her bridesmaids, it is her who should cover the expenses. And that is exactly what the friends of a bride-to-be named Emily thought, until they were asked to pay for dresses that cost a little fortune.
Namely, weeks before the special day took place, Emily presented her friends with the stunning dresses; soft hues, detailed lace patterns, and fine embroidery. The material was so luxurious that it felt like a second skin.
Trying them on, one of the friends commented that they must cost a fortune, to what Emily smiled and said they deserve it because she only gets married once.
The ceremony took place in a charming garden beneath a floral arch that looked like it had been lifted straight from a romance novel. Emily walked down the aisle and said “I do” to the man of her dreams, a moment that seemed like it stood frozen in time.
At the reception, the elegant ballroom glowed with laughter and music. The tables were embellished with chic centerpieces and fairy lights twinkled overhead, creating a magical atmosphere.
Emily had her first dance with her husband, and everything looked picture perfect… Well, until she asked her bridesmaids to join her to the dance floor. As they danced their hearts out, Emily said. “You all look fabulous. Thank you for sharing this special day with me… and, about your dresses, they cost $1,200 each, so you can pay them in cash or you can do it tomorrow via bank transfer.”
The bridesmaids were shocked. They stopped dancing and stared at Emily.
One of them said that they believed the dresses were a gift from her since she hadn’t mentioned anything about them paying for them. On top of that, they cost a lot of money, way over what they’d be willing to pay for if they were asked to before they agreed to accept the roles of bridesmaids.
Emily was as shocked and said she assumed they knew the dresses were on them.
The awkward silence was interrupted by two young men carrying the cake. It was a huge ten-tier cake. Emily rushed towards the men and told them she hadn’t order a cake with that many tiers, but they assured her she did. As expected, it cost a lot more than the three-tier cake she was thinking of ordering. After a short discussion, they showed her a copy of her order. She probably made a mistake while making the order, and she now had to pay for it.
Her bridesmaids though it was karma that hit back at an instant, but they still felt sorry for their friend telling her that they won’t pay for the dresses but they would pay for her cake.
Emily smiled and thanked them. They reminded her that not everything in life is about money, but about genuine friends and mutual respect and understanding.
This story divided people’s opinions on whether the bride should cover the expenses for the bridesmaids’ dresses.
“Bride and groom pay for everything for the wedding party,” one person commented. “My bridesmaids aren’t paying for a thing. I asked them so they shouldn’t be expected to,” another added. “I’m paying for my bridesmaids’ dresses, hair, makeup, bags and jewellery and the girls will get their own shoes,” a third person wrote.
Someone wrote that it is a cultural thing and depends on the place. “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 done here.”
Others noted that there are no set rules, so it’s up to the bride and her bridesmaids to make their own decision