Bridesmaids and flower girl dress etiquette

txgeogirl

Hello ladies-I had a quick question. Is the bride suppossed to buy the flower girl dress?  Also, my parents are wanting to purchase the bridesmaids dresses.  I have always purchased my bridesmaids dresses for friends weddings.  I don't mean to be rude, but is it fair for the parents to pick up the tab on the dress?  I was thinking maybe they could pay for half.  What is the best thing to do?  What has everyone else done?  I'm trying to keep my parent's tab down.  Thanks for the advice. 

BeccaC1234

My BMs are paying for their own dresses. However, if your parents want to do this, I think it is a nice gesture. It's up to you/your parents, really.

TexasAmanda

The two weddings that I have stood in, I bought my own BM dresses, and it did not bother me too.  My BM's will be purchasing their own dresses as well, however, if it were possible I would absolutely love to buy them for my BMs.  It's just not in our budget too.  If you parents are willing and able to, it's not a faux pas, nor is it required.  Completely up to them I would say.

tallon617

It used to be that the bride's family paid for the wedding while the groom's side paid for the honeymoon, rings and rehearsal dinner. Of course things change ;)Is it fair? Not really. Today most couples pay for their wedding and if their parents help it's just to pitch in for things. I would recommend talking to your parents honestly about it and point out the reasons why you think this isn't right. You can state the costs of the dresses and the fact that tradition of the old days doesn't really exist anymore. However, if your parents still decide to go with paying for the dresses then that is their choice. You might have to sacrifice the dresses you want the girls to wear at that point.

marisa39

Part of the responsibility of agreeing to be in the wedding party is that the participants pay for their own attire.  I think it's nice that your parents are offering to pay, but I don't think it's necessary for them to pay for the bridesmaid dresses or the flower girl dress.  In all the weddings I've been in, I always paid for my own dress.  My girls paid for their dresses as well.  If your parents really want to contribute to the wedding is there anything else they can contribute towards?  Or if they really want to contribute towards the bridesmaids attire, can they could just buy them their shoes or accessories.