How much to spend on bridesmaid gifts?

staryand

Hello,

I'm not quite sure how much to spend on bridesmaids as I've never been in a wedding before...

I was thinking $100 or so, and pay for their makeup and hair? Is that a good amount, I know it all depends on budget but I don't want to not give enough.

Is that enough?   I bought their dresses but they paid for alterations since they were shipped to the girls, and those were $100-$140 each.  1 girl is flying in for wedding and bachelorette and is getting ahotel, so spending a decent amount.

thanks for any advice.

Julz629

I probably spent about $75 on each of the girls....and same for the guys.

I am not paying for their hair and make up.  But they can choose not to get this done.  I believe "etiqette" says that if you are requiring anything of them beyond the dress (i.e. hair, make up, shoes) then you should pay for this extra expense.  But if they pick their own shoes and whether or not they want hair/make up done, then you don't have to pay.

Overall though, it's not the money....its the thought behind it.  A gift from the heart is worth more than the $$ amount .  Cheesy, I know.

Financially, if you can afford to cover hair, make up, hotel, etc....I'm sure your girls would appreciate it.  But I think most people realize the expense around being in a wedding and won't expect it.

cmkuno

I think it's great to get them a nice thank you gift, but I certainly don't think there's any requirement that you have to spend $100 or else it's not good enough.  If you can find something they will love for $50, that's fine!  

I'm basing my gift price more on how much the bridesmaids are spending due to my wedding.  I've done everything I could to keep their expenses to a minimum, so I am not planning to spend on lot on their gifts because of it.  We searched for months to find dresses for $80, no alterations needed, I'm not requiring them to get specific shoes or accessories, they all live local, and no one paid for a bach party or anything like that.  With that in mind, I'm spending around $30/gift.  Although I made part of their gift, so I think it's pretty nice for the money I spent on it.  

I'm not paying for hair and make up since I'm not requiring them to get it professionally done or wear any specific hair style.  

klreese0213

i think your paying for the dress and offering to pay for hair and make up is a very generous offer in itself.
i personally would not expect dress, hair and make up to be paid for if i was in a wedding. (which i am in aug). i think those are all expenses you expect to pay when you accept being in someone's wedding.
if you can afford to pay for everyone's dress, hair and make up and a $100 gift, then i'm sure you're girls would graciously accept.  but i dont think you need to go to that extreme.

Melgor78

It sound like you paid for a lot already, if you have the budget to spend more than go for it.  If you want to give them a little something as an actual gift I don't think you need to spend another $100 each.  I've never thought about how much was spent on a gift for me when I was in a wedding.  Maybe get them something each different that is personalized towards them.

I'm probably going to spend 50-60.  I wish I had more of a budget but I know they will be thankful for what they get.

ms nobody

 Me personally, i paid for hair and makeup off the bat no hesitations- they bought dresses, they chose their own shoes, and took care of their hotel rooms. anything else they needed for my wedding was purchased and provided by me.  I spent about $50-60 on gifts (tote bag, flip flops, mirrors, nice clutches from etsy, snacks, umbrellas, lip gloss, note pads, etc) and then hair and make up, which ran $80 each, plus tip.

 but I only had 2 BMs (3 planned, but one had to drop out last minute due to illness). 

i'm pretty sure etiquette says nothing about hair and makeup, because it's one step beyond a few lines of uncouth behavior (ie: making people get it done, not considering the price, your wedding isnt a fashion show). it's one of those grey areas like showers- they are all-in-all unnecessary. one cannot ask for one, but if people decide to throw it you are honored and appreciative. 

IMO paying is The Right Thing To Do.  But if some do an some don't, i wouldn't pay for those who do. But don't get in a tizzy if they say yes at first to paying the professional and change their minds later because of the money. I've seen that happen, and it's neither fair to the vendor, nor the BM when there's anger and frustration about it.

i'm verbose today! 

Kimbus 87

We paid for the entire wedding by ourselves so we didn't have a lot of money for gifts. We found dresses for $75 and 2 wanted tea lenth so they paid for alterations. I didn't care about shoes, hair or makeup. They each got their hair done which was $35. For the gifts I got them a tote, soap/lotion from bath and body, jewelery for wedding (which was verstile and they all loved and will wear again),  flip flops and they each got something for their own personalities. I spent about $40 each girl and they all loved it.

Agreed with pp there's no limit -- do what you can afford and they will be very appericative. I think youre covering a lot all ready!!