What do I pay for??

allisoncwhite_2381901

We are having a destination wedding in new orleans and the rooms are outrageous where we are getting married. Basically $400 dollars a bridesmaid and groomsmen. Do I pay for there own room? I would think so since I asked them to be in the wedding but some of my friends said No. That they wouldn't expect it. I don't know if we can fit it into our budget. Also, does the bride pay for them to get their hair and makeup done also?? Thanks so much! any input helps!!

tidetravel

At that price, if there are no other room options available, I would suggest you pay.  Cut something out of your budget to make it fit.  Also, I hope that you aren't suggesting that BMs and GMs pair up and room together if they're not in a relationship.

aerinpegadrak

I would see if people would be interested in sharing rooms, or see if there's another place that they could stay.  The massive, larger-than-my-apartment, upscale penthouse suite where we held all of our wedding festivities was $500 a night.  There is not a chance on God's green earth I would pay $400 a night for just a regular old hotel room.  I think you're going to need to investigate cheaper options, and possibly look into providing transportation between the two.  The regular rooms at the hotel where we got married were about $150 per night, so most of our guests stayed at other hotels scattered around the city.  Part of the reason we changed destinations from Yosemite to Vegas was the hotel options (the place where we wanted to get married was hideously expensive, and the next nearest options were down windy mountain roads, a bad idea after a night of drinking).

For a destination wedding, I would plan on paying for hair and makeup.  Your girls will have fewer alternatives than if the wedding were local.  I brought in a stylist on my dime and told the girls they could either use her or do their own; all six opted to have their hair done, but to do their own makeup.  I searched for several months until I found someone in my price range, but it was important to me that we all be able to get ready on-site rather than scattering and trying to get everyone back together.

allisoncwhite_2381901

Hey everyone! Thanks for the advice. I guess I should have explained myself better. The rooms are $200 a night and it's a two night minimum at the hotel. That is why I said $400 a bridesmaid.

mbcdefg

You don't have to pay for the hotel room, unless you are telling them that they must stay overnight and/or that they must stay at that hotel.

$200 isn't awful for a major city, but if you can get a group discount that'd be nice. I'd also do a little research and see if you can find a cheaper hotel nearby, or maybe even a B&B or something. Just so they have options.

You don't have to pay for hair/makeup unless you're requiring that it be professionally done (even if you let them choose the salon or the style).

Ashes_3

Call and see if you can get a discount!!! I know the hotel I work at does!! If you are requiring the girls to get hair and makeup done professionally, then you should pay for it!!!

MyNameIsNot

$200 night is better, but I still think you should block an alternate set of rooms at a lower cost hotel nearby, and give your WP as well as the rest of your guests the option.

At $200/night with a 2 night minimum, I can see a lot of guests declining because it looks to expensive.  You could do an alternate at the days inn or whatever for around $125/night in NOLA.  

We went to a wedding out of town a few weeks ago.  The bride blocked rooms at 3 different hotels.  90% of the guests stayed at the Super 8, because it was the cheapest option.