Bridesmaids dresses - who should pay?

[Unique]

Is it ok to give a colour or theme and let/have the bridesmaids pick their own dresses? It seems more common now but I still feel a bit awkward! I’m tempted to pay for them but partner thinks we shouldn’t (tight budget and it’s all so £££!). We’ve got them flowers but won’t do bridesmaid hair/make up either.

I was recently a bridesmaid and we picked our own dresses but it was fairly casual and the expectation was wear something you already own, or buy something you’d wear again.

 

[Savant]

Personally I think if you want to pick a colour or theme then you have to pay. It doesn’t seem fair to ask someone who is doing you a favour to pay for it.

 

[Glam]

I think the bride should pay, and do hair and make-up.

 

[MontyVerdi]

I'd buy their dresses.

 

[Wolfpa]

If you want them all to look similar you should pay. If you are happy for them to wear whatever they want it is fine for them to pay