Bridesmaid Gowns - Who Pays?

i paid for my BM dresses since our wedding was destination wedding and they had to buy airline tickets and pay for hotel room

If I only had 3 or 4 girls I would love to, but I have 7BM’s and a Jr BM. In all the weddings I have been in (6 I think), I have always bought my own.

If you're having a hard time asking them to pay for their dresses, get each of them a "Bride's Maid Guidebook" which will always state that it is tradition for the BM to pay for their dresses. As first time BMs, the other details in the book will hopefully help them so they know what to plan for. I wrapped mine up with pretty ribbon, but didn't try to hide that it was a book =)

I recieved this one when I was first time BM, and I really liked the lists in here. Now that I'm a bride, I wrote a little note inside and passed it down to one of my BMs who I know does really well with lists, and has been a BM before. http://www.amazon.com/Bridesmaids-Guerrilla-Handbook-Sarah-Stein/dp/0425156761

I bought this second one for my other BM who is a first time BM. This one is more fun and laid back. I'm not asking much from my BMs, but I remember feeling clueless on what to do or what what I could ask to help with. I wrote a note inside this one too and dedicated it to my fabulous BM =)
http://www.amazon.com/Bridesmaid-Guide-Etiquette-Parties-Fabulous/dp/0811833003/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

I have three girls and they all paid. The dresses were $128 on Nordstrom.com and you usually get free or really cheap alterations with them. One BM was bummed about a $20 alteration, but for her wedding it was $50 at an alterations place just to get the bust in.

Mine all paid for their's happily. However, I really found the best deals and sales so they didn't have to pay a lot.

I did talk it over with them and they were all in agreement to pay, all except my baby sister. Mostly because she's only 15 and couldn't pay.

I think normally if you can afford it, then go for it. But I think it's really their payment to make, unless there is an arrangement.

i've been involved in both - i've paid for my own dress and alterations; and i've been in a wedding where the bride paid...

i think it's well accepted tho, tht when one accepts to be in a wedding, that she pays for her dress & alterations...

we're paying for the kidies tho - 4 flowergirls, 1 rb, his son's tux, and my God-daughter who is a jr bm

in addition to that - we're paying for hotel rooms for all the oot bp

I have 5 BM 1 MOH and 2 JBM they all paid for their own dresses. Its expected for them to pay for their own dresses but if you have the money some brides buy the dresses instead of giving them gifts. Its a really sweet gesture. Since they also pay for the B-Party and B-Shower plus the hotel room for the night before (if you are doing that) I'm giving my attendants gifts instead and paying for the rooms. It really just depends on what you want to spend your money on and how much. When you have so many girls it can get really expensive really fast. With all the other expenses of the wedding they will understand its custom for them to buy their own :)

Dina