Junior BM Dress

Webb27

My step-daughter, who is 12, is a junior bridesmaid for her uncles wedding coming up in August. Her Father (the grooms brother) is NOT in the wedding and neither is any other of our family members. 

My question is: Who pays for the Junior BM dress? 

This seems like a gray area to me since my step-daughter cannot pay for it on her own (too young) and her Father and I are living on a VERY limited budget in our daily lives. But I don't know if it's "fair" that the bride and groom pay for the dress. 

My thinking is that if they want her to be in the wedding that they should at least pay for half of the dress and alterations. 

I need some feedback!!!  THX!!

Brie2010

I think you should pay.  Sorry.

Our FG and RB's parents are paying for their attire because obviously, 3 and 5 year olds can't.  Same thing here.

You are well within your rights to ask if they could look for a budget-friendly dress given your financial constraints, though.

danieliza1127

Her Dad (and you I guess) will probably be responsible for paying for the dress.  That's just the way it goes usually.

ohwhynot

I think that whatever applies to other extracurricular activities, like camp, lessons, whatever should apply here.  If you pay for those, then pay for this.  If you split those costs with your step-daughter's mom, split this. 

ETA:  The b & g aren't responsible for paying for the apparel of the wedding party.  You can always decline for economic reasons - there's nothing impolite about that at all. 

MyNameIsNot

The parents of child attendants pay for their attire.  Of course, they should be discussing cost with you in the process of choosing something for her.

If you can't afford it, you can take her out of the wedding.  

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Unless they offer, it's on you. The BMs are paying for their own dresses. And like you said, your daughter has no income of her own, so I assume you pay for her other clothes.

Beachy730

I agree with the others, it would be your responsibility just like it is for BMs.  What I would do is talk to them about the dress.  Are they making her wear the same as the other BMs?  Maybe you can ask if you can just find her a dress in the same color.  This way you can find one in a comfortable price range for you, and possibly something she could wear again to upcoming school dances or something.  Nobody wants to spend $200 on a dress for a young girl that they can't wear again.  I know my flower girls dress was found online for only $20!  (super clearance since they only had it left in 2 sizes and luckily one was her size).