Does a flower girl buy her own dress

[eeyoreforever]

My dd is going to be a flower girl in her cousins wedding. I have absolutely no experience with this. Do you normally buy your own dress? My niece has picked one out that she wants her to wear and it cost quite a bit more than I would normally pay for a dress. I'm not sure my dd would ever wear it again. I just hate wasting money like that, but on the other hand, I don't want to offend anyone if we are expected to pay for it. What is the proper thing to do?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Pay for the dress. It's part of the deal when you agree to take part in the wedding.

Both of my DDs were flower girls for my niece, so I sympathize with you about the cost.

 

[Duchie]

I believe most wedding participants are expected to cover their own costs. That includes groomsmen, bridesmaids, and flower girls. At least, that's the way it's been with every wedding I've ever been involved with.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Yes, they do. My DD is in SIL's wedding this August. She is going to be the Flower Girl also. I don't expect to pay more than $150. I'm sure she won't wear it again except maybe as dress-up clothes. You will also have to buy shoes, tights, hair accs., and get her hair styled (most likely.) The Bride should provide the basket.

DH and I are also both in the wedding. And I am throwing the Bridal Shower. Good thing I like my SIL!

 

[TigerBear]

I think it might depend on cultural/regional differences. In my white, Texas family each person in the wedding party is responsible for buying his/her own attire. However, I recently was in a wedding where the groom is of Vietnamese descent. He insisted on paying for all the bridesmaid dresses and tuxes for the groomsmen & ring barer (?). I'll be interested in hearing the answers to this question....

 

[CBRorBust]

Yup. You pay for the dress. I'm guessing it's going to be around $100 right?

Plus don't forget about her hair, shoes, etc. That may also be more $$$.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Plus you will probably have to pay to have it altered.

 

[luv2nascar]

it's such a rip off
I'm never being in a another wedding again
Money for dresses, shoes, hair styles, tuxes, shower gift, wedding gift, when does it end

In my experience you're stuck paying for the dress and it will be expensive

 

[peg2001]

It really depends. Traditionally, I think the participants are expected to pay for their own dresses. However, it is sometimes based on who can best afford it.

When my brother got married, I was a poor college student. I paid for my air ticket to fly across the country but he and his fiance paid for my bridesmaid dress and accessories. It was a drop in the bucket for them and would have been a true hardship for me.

My DD was a flowergirl for another of my brothers when she was 3. My sister took her shopping and bought an expensive dress for the occasion, just because she wanted to.

Peggy

 

[kadaten]

Normally, yes, each participant pays for their own attire and accessories.

However, I wanted my 2 nieces to by my flower girls and their family was not well off at all....they never thought so, but to most people they were poor. But I really wanted them to be in the wedding, so I bought their dresses and hair bows. They already had white shoes and socks from Easter. To make it a little more practical, and because I didn't love the "mini-bride" look of most of the flower girl dresses I saw, I picked a nice white linen dress from the Gap. It was simple, beautiful, and best of all...they loved it, and their mom loved that it was something they could wear again and again!

Good luck....weddings do get expensive. Don't forget about tights, hair bows, hairdo, etc....it adds up!

 

[caitycaity]

yep, you pay for your own dress (and hair, and accessories, and....).

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by luv2nascar
it's such a rip off
I'm never being in a another wedding again
Money for dresses, shoes, hair styles, tuxes, shower gift, wedding gift, when does it end

In my experience you're stuck paying for the dress and it will be expensive

LOL!

I swore that I was never going to be in another wedding (except maybe my Brothers, but he says he will elope. ) Then SIL asked me to be in her wedding last month because FutureBIL's Sister is pregnant and her due date is the weding day! Of course I said yes and I don't mind, except I hate being in front of a bunch of people.

I do feel honored that she would ask me instead of one of her friends.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

If your DD is the right size and the Bride wouldn't mind, you might try a childrens resale shop or even one of the 1st Communion dresses when they go on sale. That would not be as expensive as going to the traditional Bridal Salon. The little girls always look so pretty all dressed up. I hope you enjoy the day!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yes, you do pay for your own attire unless they offer.

For my wedding, my MIL made my flowergirl dress. It didn't cost more than $30 in material and pattern, and was easy. If you are comfortable with the bride enough, ask her about possibly having it made if you can sew or know someone who would be willing to... Or ask her if you can look around a bit to see if you can find a dress that looks similar to the one she chose at a lower price. You can also look into renting the gown. THis is what my SIL did for her wedding... they still ended up paying like $40, but she wanted this really elaborate gown for her daughter to wear... it ran about $150 in the store.

Plus, its Easter season and the stores are chocked full of beautiful gowns that usually go on sale =)

More than likely, she'll never wear it again. I have yet to re-wear bridal party attire again. Just the price you pay =(

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by luv2nascar
it's such a rip off
I'm never being in a another wedding again
Money for dresses, shoes, hair styles, tuxes, shower gift, wedding gift, when does it end

In my experience you're stuck paying for the dress and it will be expensive

Boy do I agree with ya here! And not only are you paying for the dress,shoes, hair,shower gift and wedding gift the maid of honor and bridesmaids are expected to throw the bridal shower so add on hundreds more for that! I will be happy to never be in another wedding again! Heck I would be happy to never be INVITED to another wedding again for that matter....everyone elope LOL!!

 

[Fire14]

My mother bought my niece's flower girl dress, actually we got her a 1st communion dress but no one knew any different.

 

[mickeyboat]

A friend of mine got a dress for her daughter on ebay.

Denae

 

[Ranatra]

Yes, as a rule you usually pay for the dress.
I paid for the dress for my DD's flowergirl.
DD and I picked out the dress and knew it would be a hardship for the parents as they are both still in college and they are both in the wedding. It's DD's future BIL and SIL and niece.

 

[tkyes]

Talk to the bride and then go look for dresses in department stores.

The stores have their Easter dresses out right now and so many of them look like flower girl dresses.

Our flower girls dress was only $17 and it was adorable.

I'm sure the bride will be understanding. There really is no reason to pay so much for a dress for a little girl when there are so many other options out there.

Good luck! Keep us updated!

Tamie

 

[torismom]

My dd and 2 of my dn will be in my counsin's wedding. The flower girl dress was 165.00 in the bridal store and I found the same dress on ebay. I used buy it now and paid 35.00 each. Big difference.

I am in the wedding, ds and dd are plus I am hosting the family shower. I needed to try and save where I could.

Yes, you are resposible for your dresses