bridesmaid advice please!

Hi,

I'm having 5 Bridesmaids and I am paying for their dresses, however my budget is huge so I have asked my bridesmaids if they mind helping me out a little by getting their shoes (or wearing ones they already have) and doing eachothers hair and make up.. They all were very happy to do this to help me out. I am having my 2 best friends, sister and sister in law and future sis in law.. so I guess it just depends what your budget is and what you are happy to pay.

I meant to say my budget is not huge haha!

Also only my mum has seen my dress, although I am tempted to show my 2 best friends! xx

Hello and welcome to hitched! You'll find lots of helpful peeps here.

I went dress shopping on my own a handful of times with no problem, and most shops thought it was perfectly normal.

I'm not keeping my dress a secret but can see that's a nice idea. Hopefully you won't face too many nosey parkers - weddings seem to be public property sometimes, with people you barely ever speak to asking about the finer details of your day. I suppose they're a happy occasion and people like to hear about them, but if you're quite private it can feel overwhelming!

You pay for what you can afford and feel comfortable with. I am paying for the BMs dresses and will see if I can afford shoes closer to the time. If I cannot afford to buy shoes or pay for hair & make up then I will let them choose whatever they wish as they will be paying and I feel this is only fair. Plus the day we're having isn't going to be matchy so this should be fine.

HTH :o)

I've got 2 BMs- they did come to one dress shop with me, but they're my sisters so it's all gravy. They actually helped me to stay true to myself with my dress and get the one that suited my personality (as they know me so well) rather than buy the beautiful, sophisticated one which made me look thin, but wasn't me at all!

I've budgeted £100 each for their dresses- planning on getting them from high street shop(s)- but they've said that if they find something over budget they'll happily pay the difference. They are buying / providing their own shoes.

I honestly don't know about hair / makeup yet. One of them is actually doing my makeup so she'll prob do her own and my other sister's.

Hair wise I am in a total mess at the moment; I don't know what to do. One of them has hardly any hair anyway (super pixie crop) and I have no idea what I'm even doing with mine yet, so...I'll get back to you on that one!

Definitely just set a budget and stick to it. If they're good friends and worthy BMs they will respect your wishes and go along with your ideas, no matter what.

My sisters refused to wear sailor hats, but agreed to wear crab costumes (before they realised I was joking..or am I..?!)

Hi and welcome to hitched.

I have three bridesmaids, my sister, SIL to be and MOH. My budget is tight and they all know this. I have bought their dress and will pay for any alterations, however I have kindly asked that they buy their own shoes etc. I have booked my make up trial and hair trial and have told them when it is, and the cost and again said I would love to pay for them but simply cannot afford it. IF they want the trials then they can, or they can do their own. I don't want my bridesmaids all having their hair the same and looking identical, they are individuals and I want them to look slightly different.

I was bridesmaid for my friend and she bought the shoes, she bought kitten heels, not ideal when I am 5ft1 and the other bridesmaids were 5ft7(!!!) and I felt very self concious the whole day. I want by BM to feel comfortable, if one wears sky high heels then thats her choice, doesn't mean they all have to.

My BM have all said that they understand. My sister is having her hair done but not make up, my sister in law is having her make up but not hair and my MOH is having both done.

Hi and welcome!

I have 5 bridesmaids (3 my sisters and 2 my OH sisters) i have budgetted £100.00 for the bridesmaid dresses and i managed to get the hair for £25.00 for 2 Bridesmaids and £15.00 for my litle sister (only 11) which i am happy to pay out and the other 2 BM's are free as they know the person doing it. Luckily enough as well there is a make up artist in the family and she has suggested she does the make up as long as they bring there own foundation. I will also be buying the BM's hair combes for each but that shouldnt be no more than £50.00 altogether. With regards to there shoes i have said they will need to purchase these themselves as i do not have enough money in the budget, they are all happy with this and my mum is happy to get my little sisters shoes. All i have asked is that the colour is nude as it goes well with dark purple colour.

I would recommend to try and see who in the family can help out with hair/makeup if they are good at it, if you dont ask you dont get and most family members are always willing to help out. Hope this helps xx

Thanks xxxxx