It’s that time of the year – wedding season! I will be doing a few posts over the next few months to welcome wedding season and share some tips on how to get through. My first topic is all about how to budget for being in a bridal party. Many people don’t realize all of the expenses that come along with it. Of course, you are happy for your friend or relative and you are so excited to be part of their special day. Unfortunately, costs can quickly add up. Here are some ways to navigate all of the budgeting and expenses that will add up during this time.
Engagement Party
Some people choose to forgo this event, and many request that no presents are to be brought. Unfortunately, if you are in the bridal party, there is usually an event of some kind to celebrate the happy couple and that means a few things. Usually, a gift would be given as a small token of congratulations, and it also means accounting for any kind of travel and appropriate attire. I would recommend budgeting $100 for this type of event, to ensure you have ‘covered your bases.’
Bridal Shower
This event is pretty much a guarantee, as most brides and their families & bridal parties choose to host a shower. If you are helping to pay for the event, you’ll definitely need to set aside some cash. Other than that, it’s important to budget for a gift and usually a dress or outfit appropriate for the style of celebration being hosted. I would recommend budgeting at least $150 for the shower, if you are not helping to cover costs. If you are, ensure that you speak with the rest of the bridal party and decide what the responsibilities will be.
Bachelorette Party
This is where it starts to get costly. Some brides and their bridal party may opt for a more low-key evening, while others choose to go all-out. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few costs associated with either style of event. Food, drinks, attire, entertainment and even gifts are all important elements to budget for. If you are attending, or hosting, a destination bachelorette, you will also need to account for flights or transportation, accommodations and meals for the duration of the trip. For a low-key evening, set aside at least $250-$300. For a travel-required party, budget at least $500 or more. Make sure you speak up when the topic comes up, because it’s important that everyone is comfortable with the budget.
The Wedding
Finally, the big day and the big costs! Bridesmaid dress, shoes, hair, makeup and a gift are all common costs associated with this element of being in a bridal party. Plus a gift for the happy couple, and commonly, many people book accommodations for after the big event. Again, some events will also require travel costs or even time off work, so ensure to account for this as well. A safe budget for this would be around $1000, all things considered.
Of course, all of these numbers are just recommendations from my time in the industry. No event or situation is the same, and every bride is different. Throughout the process, make sure you are speaking up if you are uncomfortable or cannot make a certain expense work. Most brides are happy to be flexible, because they want their bridal party to be happy on their big day too!
