Expert reveals: What bridesmaids should pay for at a wedding

Being a member of the bridal party can set you back an extortionate amount. Photo / Getty Images

Anyone who has been asked to be a friend's bridesmaid will know it's a huge honour - but one that can also come with a hefty price tag.

From hens' dos and new shoes to lavish gifts for the happy couple, being a member of the bridal party can set you back an extortionate amount.

From shoes and dresses to accessories and makeup, it's often difficult to navigate what exactly the bridesmaids should be contributing towards their role.

To help baffled bridesmaids, Alyssa Brown, an events planner and expert at popular online wedding portal, Martha Stewart Weddings, has shared her definitive guide to bridesmaid expenses and expectations.

WHAT THE BRIDESMAIDS PAY FOR

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• Shoes: The bridesmaids are expected to provide their own shoes as they will be keeping them for future wear. Sometimes the bride might request that each bridesmaid buys a pair in a similar colour scheme.

• Accessories: Bridesmaids can select what pieces they'd like to wear - but may need to run these by the bride. If the bride wants her party to all be in matching pieces, she may gift her maids matching pieces.

• A wedding gift: Bridesmaids are often expected to purchase a rather lavish wedding gift for the bride so can often club together.

• The bride's costs at the hens' do: It is customary for bridesmaids - as well as other hens' do guests - to cover the bride's expenses at the do. If the hens' party is abroad then it's expected that the guests will pay for one evening's expenses rather than the whole trip.

OPTIONAL COSTS

Optional costs that the bride may cover include hair and makeup, hotel accommodations, bridesmaids' dresses, and a lunch or pre-wedding dinner for her bridesmaids.

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WHAT THE BRIDE PAYS FOR

• The hair and makeup: If the bride wants her party to have their hair and makeup done all together and has the budget to cover it, she will do so. However, if a bridesmaid personally wants her hair and makeup done but it hasn't been factored into the cost by the bride, the maid will have to cover it herself.

• The flower bouquets: The bride should always pay for their maids flowers as they will have been hand-selected by the bride to match her scheme.

• Transportation: The bride always covers the transport costs for her bridesmaids as they often all travel together in a hired car.