How do I let my bridesmaids know that they have to pay for their own bridesmaid dresses? Two of them have never been in a wedding before, and I’m not sure if they’ll think I’m being rude.
A:
Don’t worry! You’re obviously not in danger of being rude if you’re worrying about this. The easiest way to let them know is to be open about it. Bring your maids dress shopping with you, and when you’re looking at a particular dress, it’s okay to say to the group, “Do you girls think this one is going to be too expensive for you?” If one of the newbie maids blanches, either you or one of the girls who’s been down this road before can explain that it’s the norm for bridesmaids to pay their own way when it comes to dresses (and often accessories). If you are genuinely concerned that being in your wedding might be a financial burden for one or more of your maids, so long as you’re sensitive to it, you should be fine — look for dresses that are relatively inexpensive, or choose a color you like and have them select their own dresses, spending as much as they see fit.
