Should My Bridesmaids Pay For Their Own Flowers?
Do Bridesmaids Pay for Their Own Flowers?
No. The bride or her family normally pays for the bridesmaids’ bouquets. But the bridesmaids are expected to pay for their dress, shoes, accessories, wedding shower, bachelorette party, shower or wedding gift, and pre-wedding attire.
What Other Bridesmaid Expenses Do Brides Pay For?
Besides the flowers, there are other costs that the bride usually covers.
Wedding Hair and Makeup
This bridesmaid expense depends on your wedding budget. But if you want your bridesmaids to have their hair and makeup professionally done and your budget allows, you can cover the bill as a gift. If you have no hair and makeup preference, the responsibility falls to your bridesmaids.
Wedding Transportation
Bridesmaids usually don’t have to worry about the wedding transportation (hotel, ceremony, and reception). The bride and her family are traditionally responsible for this one.
Accommodations the Night Before the Wedding
You should cover the costs if you plan to spend the night before your wedding with the bridesmaids in a shared hotel suite. They might already split rooms with plus-ones throughout their stay, so they should not pay for this other room.
Food
Besides the food at the wedding reception, the bride (or the couple) should cover the rehearsal dinner. Don’t make your bridesmaids pay for their own coffee and breakfast in the morning while getting ready in your bridal suite.
How Much Should a Bridesmaid Bouquet Be?
According to Something Borrowed Blooms, the average cost for a bridesmaid’s bouquet is $65-$70. But if you want a cost-saving option, you can rent your bridesmaids’ flowers. Silk wedding flowers are a popular alternative to fresh blooms.
Do Bridesmaids Usually Carry Bouquets?
Bridesmaids usually carry the bridal bouquet’s smaller versions. Since they are among the most photographed group of the day, ensure their flowers look picture-perfect.
Do Bride and Bridesmaid Bouquets Have to Match?
No. The bridesmaids’ bouquets don’t have to match your bouquet. They can be different colors. You can try a bridal bouquet in one color palette and your bridesmaids’ bouquets in a complementary palette.
The bouquets can have different flower varieties. For example, if you have a bridal bouquet with garden roses and peonies, your bridesmaids can carry hyacinths and tulips in the same color palette.
You can also play with the shapes. Your bridal bouquet can have an unstructured or cascading shape, while the bridesmaids can get small rounded nosegays.
This idea also applies to wedding dresses. Flowers don’t need to match your bridesmaids’ dresses. You can think of varying shades of your wedding color palette to complement their dresses. For instance, blush pink dresses with greens, darker pinks, soft pinks, and soft whites.
What Bridesmaids Should Carry Instead of Flowers
You can try some alternatives if you don’t want to follow the wedding tradition wherein bridesmaids carry bouquets.
- Arm garland
- Beaded feathers
- Bridal clutch
- Wreaths
- Lanterns (for evening ceremonies or winter nuptials)
- Pinwheels (for casual outdoor weddings)
- Embroidery hoop
- Heart balloons
- Dream catcher
- Ribbon wands
Make bridesmaids’ bouquets part of your budget as you plan your dream wedding. Remember, these flowers can have an aesthetic impact on your wedding’s visual appeal.
References:
- https://www.theknot.com/content/what-bridesmaids-pay-for#
- https://worksbysarahjane.com/2019-2-13-what-do-bridesmaids-actually-pay-fornbsp/#
- https://www.brides.com/story/what-your-bridal-party-should-pay-for-bachelorette-bridal-shower-
- https://www.flowersbyjanie.com/blog-post/bridesmaid-bouquet-inspiration#
- https://vogueballroom.com.au/what-can-brides-bridesmaids-carry-besides-flowers/
