For a June wedding I'm a bridesmaid in, I have paid or will be paying for the following expenses: engagement party gift, bridal shower gift, bachelorette weekend travel/expenses, dress, shoes, wedding gift, hotel/travel expenses.
I have two questions: 1) Recently, the MOH decided to throw an additional party and asked the wedding party to pay for it. I thought that was in poor etiquette to ask the wedding us to pay for such a party when we are already spending money for the traditional wedding expenses.
2) The bride decided to have a bachelorette weekend out of town. I recently came into some unexpected financial debt and want to know what I am expected to pay for over the course of the weekend. I assume one of the nights out (i.e. dinner, drinks, dancing), but do I have to pay for everything for the bride all weekend?
Typically, the MOH will ask the bridesmaids to chip in for parties. However, she cannot expect all of you to agree. All of the bridesmaids have to agree.
The bachelorette party is a party that the bridesmaids host for the bride. The bride can tell the MOH what she wants, but cannot force the issue because all of you are paying for it. So, you can just set a dollar amount that you can afford to contribute and let the MOH know. Again this should be a group decision.
Usually the bridesmaids will pay for the party and the bride's transporation to the event. This is why so many people want to keep the party self contained in some way so they know what their expense will be upfront.
Be very honest about your budgetary limits. This should not break you.
Bachelorette weekend expenses
