Have you paid for bm/gm outfits? POLL

andra loves andre

We were just wondering if you ladies know how this is usually done. We're looking to get rental suits for the groomsmen. The ushers were told that they could wear whatever black suit they want, but they'd also like to wear matching rental suits. The bridesmaids were told that their dresses need to be purple and long.

I've heard multiple ways of paying from friends and family, but nothing clearly dominated. So I'm asking you, based on the options that I've heard.

Thanks for the help!

bunni727

I did pay for 2 of my BMs dresses, but only because they were in a tough spot and I wanted to help them out. Still voted for the bridal party pays.

Fluffernut

My parents picked up the dresses for the girls, which was kind of them, but not required.  Typically th bridal party pays for their own, but you need to find out their budget individually before choosing something.

libby2483

Typically, the bridal party pays for their own dresses or tuxes.  However, make sure that you check individually with each person in the wedding party to get their budget first.  Then, make sure the attire you select is priced below the lowest budget.

If you require specific shoes, you pay.  If you just say, "wear any black/tan/silver shoes", they pay.  Same with hairstyles.  If you say, "I would like everyone to get an up-do or I would like you to get your hair done at this specific salon", you pay.  If you just say, "I'm going to X salon, so you can join me or go to a different salon or do it yourself", then they pay.

ETA: In our bridal party, both guys and girls are paying for their attire, with the exception of one bridesmaid, whom my mom helped out because she was short on money.  All of my girls are paying for their own shoes, jewelry, hair, and make-up because I am not requiring them to do/wear anything specific and they have the option of doing their own if they choose.

lauralaur

The bridal party pays for their own attire, however, budgets should be discussed. I have a cousin who was shocked to find that he needed to pay while he was at the register after getting measured. I paid for my SIL's dress and my mother paid for my friends' dresses, but we did that because the three of them were broke and I didn't want them stressing about the price tag if they found a dress they liked, it was also within our means to do that.

QueerFemme

Agree with PP.  The bridal party should pay for their own dresses/tux rentals and you should talk with them individually to see what their budget is, before you pick out a dress.

If you dictate a certain shoe for your BMs, you should pay for those.  (if you just say, any black shoe, or something like that, you don't need to pay for it, but if you are specific in the style, you should cover that.)

With that said, I actually paid for all of the dresses and tuxedo rentals, as well as the flower girl and ring bearer clothing.  I just didn't want anyone to come out of pocket to be in our wedding.

clairemt

I paid for two of my five bridesmaids dresses (my sister's as a gift and one of my friend's because she's still in school and couldn't really afford it). The guys all are paying for their own vest and tie rentals to match the girl's dresses; they're wearing their own suits.

mcskatcat

Traditionally, the BMs/GMs will pay for their own attire.  But really it's up to you and your budget.  We paid for our WP's attire.

aerinpegadrak

Generally in the US, the attendants pay for the outfit itself, and you cover any part of their look that they'd have to spend money on besides the actual clothes (shoes, jewelry, hair, etc) unless you're letting them use something they might reasonably already have.

For us, the girls were directed to wear any black dress.  I'll confess that I don't think we had a budget discussion on tuxes with the guys; DH wanted white tuxes and MW really only had the one, so it was what it was.  For all attendants, we pitched in to cover expenses (both travel and attire) as needed.