Photo: Dove and Sparrow
Purchasing a bridesmaid dress almost always becomes a point of contention in the wedding planning process. They can get pricey, and while letting your bridesmaids pick the fit and fabric of her choosing is all the rage at the moment, the bride is still ultimately in charge of the bridal party's wardrobe. Whether the dress you like is too expensive for some of your girls, or the styles they want don't fit with your vision, it's always some sort of compromise. But, what if, you want to be extra generous and buy the gowns for your girls? Our etiquette experts weigh in on this sweet gesture.
I'm throwing a small wedding with three of my closest friends as bridesmaids. Two of my girls are well off, while one isn't. I would like to purchase their bridesmaid dresses for them, but is that inappropriate?
Of course it isn't inappropriate! You're bridesmaids' financial situations aside, if you're able and willing to buy all of their dresses (as opposed to just the one who can't afford it), it's a really lovely gesture. Just make sure when you're about to pull out your credit card to let them know that this is a gift rather than saying something like "I've got it." From a more cynical point of view, too, if you're buying the dresses as the gift you have more of a right to make style calls. Regardless, you should take into account their feelings, and we're sure they'll be very grateful for your generosity.