Bridesmaid Gowns - Who Pays?

I'm sort of stuck in a bind. I kind of feel embarrassed asking each girl to pay for their gown. A lot of them are first time bridesmaids. I was also thinking of paying for each gown and including a little something (maybe jewelry) as a thank you gift. Does that work too? Btw, I have 5 bridesmaids and 1 MOH.

Does anyone know of any online articles that clearly state the MOH and BM duties?

TIA!

If you can afford it, that's definitely a nice gift. I was planning on contributing to the cost until I found Netbride. I didn't think $175 was too much to ask them to spend.

http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914211009&_ref=search

http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=AI980914210920&keywordID=176&keywordType=2&parentID=209

Ask and you shall receive:

http://www.bridesmaid101.com/bridesmaid_duties.html

http://www.bridesmaid101.com/maid_of_honor_duties.html

http://www.maidofhonor.org/

In my experience, the bridesmaids all pay for their own dresses, but I think it's a lovely gesture if you want to pay for it for them.

i have 7 bm and 1 MOH.. they all paid for their dresses. i didnt hafta tell them.. its like they automatically knew.. and none of them had been bridesmaids before!

oh.. and you paying for their dresses.. is really nice :)

if my budget allowed.. i would have paid for their dresses

My BM's are buying their own dresses. Also, I've been in many weddings and for every one, I have purchased my own dress. If you can afford to do so, buying it for them is a nice gesture but it's definitely not a requirement. They are also, as did I as a BM, buying their own shoes. I'm getting them a thank you gift - a bunch of things, one of which is earrings to wear the day of the wedding. HTH!

Personally, I think the bridesmaids are usually expecting to cover that cost, but if you are willing to buy it for them, then you can always do that as their "Thank You" gift. Here is a website I found for wedding etiquette http://www.bridalguide.com/etiquette-tradition/roles-responsibilities/index.cfm?articles&gclid=CN6ch7Dz3ZMCFRpknAodSnHFZw

HTH!

i paid their dresses. i have 4 girls total. i didnt want them to pay, i asked them to be a bridesmaid not the other way around.. not fair. plus they are paying for bachlorette party bridal shower, etc.. most of them are still in school or recent grads..

When I asked my MOH and Bridesmaid I advise them what to expect and if they could pay for their own dresses so they already knew. If you can pay for it that is great but don't let that be a burden for you.

If you would like them to pay - I suggest you ask them, I know it's very uncomfortable since they didn't know. If they pay for their own dresses your gift to them should be nice.

I paid for my two bridesmaids' dress, and also paid for the Groommen's tux rental, because neither of them looked going to pay, so I have to... :(

It really depend on you and your FI. For us, we paid for our wedding party outfits including shoes. It’s a customary in my family. Also, it so happened DH doesn’t feel it’s right to ask them to pay for the outfits when it’s our wedding.

HTH