[Eleni_J]

Hi all, I need opinions on a situation I've found myself in.

Background: Bride to be is a relative of mine. Myself and one of bride's friends will be bridesmaids. Two other friends, assuming they would be asked to be bridesmaids, started planning the hens party some time ago but have not made any solid plans and have not booked anything yet. Bride broke the news that they wouldn't be bridesmaids, they were disappointed but asked if they could still plan the party- yes- all good.

Now, the party planning girls are asking us to cough up for the whole cost of the (already planned) party, because we are bridesmaids of course and it's just the 'done thing'. So, WDYT? Bridesmaids pay, party planners pay or split the bill 4 ways??

[:-monkeymum-:]

IMO for a Hens Night cost should be divided by all coming plus a bit extra to "cover" the Bride.

I don't think Bridesmaids or 1 or 2 people should cover all cost, especially as Bridesmaids are expected to pay for alot of things ie dress/shoes just to be apart of the Brides day.

What has already been planned ?

[*mylittleprince*]

I wouldn't pay for someone else had planned for unless it was within my budget and reasonable. Otherwise look at other options, it doesn't always have to cost a lot of money. A simple dinner where each person pays for themselves and you and the other bridesmaid split the bill for the bride is an option.

[Mercurial]

Any hens party I've attended everyone has paid their own way - adding a small amount extra to cover the bride's night.

Why would the bridesmaids pay for everyone?

[2-beautiful-boys]

Depends on what/where the party is and how much. Mine started at a restaurant for dinner and say for example it was $30 a head, all people attending paid $35 a head to cover my dinner and drinks.

If it's an expensive party like overnight somewhere I don't think it is fair for the bridesmaids to pay themselves.

I paid for my bridesmaids dresses/hair/makeup for my wedding because I don't think it should cost someone a fortune to be a bridesmaid. It's not their wedding!

This post has been edited by 2-beautiful-boys: 29/03/2012, 05:45 PM

[emiboo]

With my hen's night, the bill was split across all of the guests, but then we only had dinner and went to karaoke lol. We didn't do anything expensive, so each person only had to pay maybe $3 extra to cover my dinner and karaoke. Bridesmaid had to pay for a few extra things like cheap decorations and feather boas and plastic tiaras.

How much is the final bill expected to cost?

[zande]

Any hens party I've attended everyone has paid their own way - adding a small amount extra to cover the bride's night.

Why would the bridesmaids pay for everyone?

This.

[seeingstraight]

Everyone paied there own way at my hens night. Well except for the stripper my mum, sister and a few others put in for that!

Every hens night I have been on I have paied my own way also.

[Eleni_J]

**UPDATE** More details:

The plan is to hold the party at one of their houses, high tea followed by drinks etc. They already plan on charging guests to attend but had a significant shortfall in funds which they want us to make up.

[carolinej]

I thought that everyone attending split most of the cost, and organisers pay the remainder.