WONDERFUL DAY TO YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! I hope this meme made you laugh as much as it made me laugh.
Last time we chatted about choosing the groom’s crew and the bride’s tribe! These are those special people that you would like closest to you during the planning process of your wedding and then standing by your side on the big day.
Part two of this is one of the frequently asked questions I receive a lot….WHO PAYS FOR WHAT? Weddings, in general, can be pretty costly to plan and to be a part of, so it is important to be clear on what each side is responsible for. There was one wedding I was asked to be a part of recently. At the end of the letter asking me to be her bridesmaid, she listed the approximate expenses. So when I said yes to being her bridesmaid, I knew exactly how much I was expected to contribute. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this.
Now, let’s jump right into it!
WHAT THE SQUAD TAKES CARE OF
– Travel and accommodations
As part of the squad, you are responsible for getting yourself to the city or town the wedding is taking place. Once there, you are also responsible for your own accommodations all of the nights with the exception of the night before the wedding.
– Wedding attire (i.e. dresses, suits, shoes, etc.)
Wedding shoes can be worn over and over again, so the squad should be responsible for purchasing their own shoes. Suits generally can be worn a few times as well. Bridemaids dresses, not so much. Couples, if you can afford to cover at least the attire of your squad, that would be great! Think about it this way, they are buying this outfit just for your big day. If this isn’t part of your budget, that’s okay. Just be sure to let the guys and gals of your squad know this as they are agreeing to be a part of your big day
– Bachelor Party or Bachelorette Party
Not all brides and grooms want a bachelor or bachelorette party BUT if it’s is something they want, the final turn up is to be put together by the squad.
– For the Bridesmaids- Bridal Shower
The maid of honor is generally responsible for leading the bridal shower planning. Remaining bridesmaids and even friends of the bride that aren’t bridesmaids, please don’t leave her hanging! Help a sis out.
– Present or Presence
All of the items listed above can quickly add up to a hefty price tag, so please couples please do not expect gifts from your squad.
Dear Future Bridesmaid or Groomsman, if you can bless the couple with a gift it would be a beautiful gesture. Maybe talk to the rest of the bridesmaids/groomsmen and get the couple a group gift! Another nice way to bless the couple is by offering to pay for an aspect of the wedding (i.e. cake, makeup for bride, etc).
WHAT THE COUPLE TAKES CARE OF
– Wedding Day Transportation
I won’t talk much on this one. If you want your squad to roll in a limo or party bus, then please budget for this.
– Accommodations the Night Before the Wedding
If you are requiring that your squad stay in a hotel or Air BNB with you for the wedding, you should cover this cost.
– Hair and Makeup for Bridesmaids
This is one of those items that can be a little tricky. If you are requiring a specific hairstyle or that a specific makeup artist glam up your squad, then you should budget to cover this expense. If they are free to do whatever hairstyle they want, then that’s their own responsibility. If you have a large bridal party this can easily add up, so it’s okay to ask bridesmaids to cover this expense. Once again, let the ladies know EARLY so they can budget accordingly.
– Accessories!
Any accessories the squad is expected to carry or wear including boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets, etc. should be covered by the couple
The above is my personal opinion! The most important thing is to make your future squad aware of your expectations BEFORE they agree to be a part of your squad. There is nothing worse than random expenses popping up during the process.
Thank you for continuing to be an amazing audience! Follow me on all platforms and please share, share, share! Lastly, let me know what we should chat about next! I appreciate all of you!
Toodles for now, SugarBees! <3
