By Elizabeth Condra
Being asked to be a bridesmaid is often one of the highlights of your adult life. It can also come with a price tag you might remember for years to come. Much of that depends on how much you’re expected to spend as part of the bride’s tribe. She could be your college roommate, your cousin, or your childhood best friend. Whatever your relationship, it’s brought you here: to the wedding party.
First Comes Love. Then Comes the Bachelorette Trip.
Weddings today usually involve much more than just the ceremony and reception. There are bridal showers, bachelorette trips, rehearsal dinners, dress fittings, and complicated day-of schedules that can begin hours before the ceremony itself.
When you sign on to being a bridesmaid, you might also be signing on to a pretty big hit to your wallet. While experts in the business say the exact cost really depends on where you are, it might be more accurate to say that the cost really comes down to the bride, her vision for the day, and what she expects from her bridal party.
Will You Say, ‘I Do’?
If your bride is getting hitched at City Hall and having an intimate meal afterward with a few close friends, you probably won’t break the bank. But if the happy couple is having an overseas destination wedding, or a trendy black-tie affair, The Knot estimates you might expect to spend $3,000 to $5,000, which is more than some couples spend on their happy day altogether.
If you’re taking part in a local wedding, costs are considerably cheaper. Your dress is often the biggest expense, averaging $128, according to The Knot. You might also need to factor in a gift for the couple, a bachelorette night out (or weekend, depending on the bride), alterations for your dress, accessories, and hair and makeup, which aren’t always covered by the party footing the bill for the day–though sometimes they may be.
For a simpler wedding, your typical total will run around $1,200. Going into the role with your eyes wide open helps, but hopefully, you already know your bride and her tastes. Is she a minimalist, the small-affair type, or does she want a wedding the likes of which have never been seen?
A Day You’ll Never Forget
Many a relationship has been strained over the stressful process of wedding planning, but not every bond has to be tested. You might not be in the position to spend thousands of dollars in preparation for a single day, but ideally, your bride should be well aware of that before asking you. It’s easy to say yes in the moment. Then come the travel expenses, time off work, time away from pets or children, and the emotional demands of being part of someone else’s big day.
Whether your bride is marrying on the shores of Lake Como or in a church gymnasium, you want to be there for her, and you should! Sometimes that means stepping away from the bridal party if you must.
Once upon a time, the bridesmaid served a very real and practical purpose: protecting the bride from rival suitors and, according to some traditions, from curses and other malevolent forces. The bridesmaid served as the bride’s protector before her knight could swoop in to take over. Over time, those responsibilities have changed. Today, you’re far more likely to protect the bride from needy family members, makeup emergencies, or guests who show up in white. But the symbolism remains the same: you’re there to support her as she enters a new chapter in your life, and hopefully one day, she’ll return the favor.
In our social media and consumer-obsessed culture, it’s easy to forget the purpose your role serves when conversations about matching outfits, wedding favors, and bachelorette weekends quickly take over. Your presence makes her day all the more special, which is just as important as a price tag to keep in mind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth is a writer from the Heart of Dixie. A city girl at heart, she lives with her three chickens, two kids, and husband on the outskirts of her beloved hometown. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, singing, homeschooling, or thrifting.
