The cost of a wedding in 2025 is skyrocketing, with industry experts predicting the price of an average wedding to hit $36-thousand this year. Being a bridesmaid is also more expensive than ever today because they’re not just paying for a dress and a spray tan, they’re chipping in for wedding weekends, bridal showers, destination bachelorette parties, and a growing list of pre-wedding events.
So, how much does it cost to be a bridesmaid in 2025? It’s not cheap no matter what, but the total cost depends on what kind of wedding it is, whether it’s an intimate micro wedding or a tropical destination wedding or a formal black-tie affair. Wedding experts recommend budgeting anywhere from $600 on the low end for a casual local wedding to $22-hundred for a destination wedding.
Cost of Being a Bridesmaid at a Local Wedding
Even without big travel expenses, bridesmaids still have to cover:
- Their dress - Around $150, but designer styles can cost a lot more
- Shoes, jewelry and accessories - Around $100 to $150, depending on the look
- Hair and makeup - If not covered by the bride, professional styling can run $250+
- Gifts - A bridal shower gift ($50 to $75) and a wedding gift ($150 to $200)
- Extras - Alterations, pre-wedding outings, post-wedding brunches
- Estimated total - $600 to $900, but if the bachelorette party is a destination trip, add another $500 to $1,000
Cost of Being a Bridesmaid at a Destination Wedding
Include all the local wedding costs, plus travel expenses:
- Flights and hotel - $500 to $15-hundred, depending on the location
- Additional outfits - For welcome parties, excursions and farewell brunches
- Dining and activities - Those meals and entertainment aren’t free
- Estimated total - $15-hundred to $3-thousand (and that doesn’t include a bachelorette party getaway)
Source: Brides