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It is common for some brides to ask their bridesmaids and groomsmen to pay for their own dresses and suits. It can be an awkward conversation to have, but will usual be greeted with understanding.
The easiest way to let them know is to be honest about the costs of the wedding mounting up, explain that you really want them to be part of your special day, but you can't afford to pay for each dress and suit. If you're struggling to break the news to them, when out dress shopping, say something like "Do you think you girls can afford this dress" to drop hints that you won't be footing the bill.
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It's important to cross this bridge early. There are some that won't be able to afford their outfit (in which case you may want to pay if you really want them involved), or they may just not want to be a part of the wedding if they have to pay for their dress/suit themselves. By resolving any problems in good time, you can find others who would be willing to take their place. You are also giving him/her plenty of time to save for their outfit before it is due to be paid for.
As your wedding party will be paying for their own outfit, it is important that they have plenty of involvement in choosing the perfect dress or suit. One, because of cost - it has to be something they can afford, and two because they are more likely to care about the design of the dress if they are paying for it. You could point out that they could wear certain dresses again, or suggest having it taken up after the wedding as the perfect party dress to sweeten the deal.
It's important to not let this linger for too long, break the news early and resolve any problems in good time to ensure smooth planning without any hiccups.
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