We all know weddings can cost an arm and a leg. The average wedding in Australia can cost between $35,000 and $40,000. The most expensive elements of a wedding are generally the two that make it such a fun event: food and alcohol.

However, the high costs that are often forgotten are those that have to be carried by the bridesmaids. Obviously, it’s a huge honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid for someone and the cost shouldn’t detract from this huge day. Yet no one will tell potential bridesmaids that they will be paying a lot of money for this honour.

The average expenses of being a bridesmaid add up to around $1,500. This could be a major struggle for you, especially if you have 3 or 4 of your close friends getting married in a short space of time.That becomes difficult because: a) you have already spent big bucks on other weddings and occasions, b) you are too busy to follow the bridal party around, and c) you obviously do not want to miss out on walking down the isle behind your best friend.

The bottom line is that, if you’re going to be a bridesmaid, just know it is going to get expensive. So future bridesmaids are aware of the costs of the privilege of being in a wedding, here is a breakdown of what costs to expect in your position.

1. The dress

Traditionally, the bride has the privilege of choosing the bridesmaid dresses. Every bridesmaid prays that the bride doesn’t pick an ugly dress for the bridesmaids to stroll down the aisle. Of course, the cost of the dress depends on where you get the dress from, the style, material, length, and so on. On average, the cost is around $100-$150 dollars for an elegant bridesmaid dress.

2. The shoes 

A girl can never have too many shoes, which is why most bridesmaids never complain about buying a brand new pair of heels for the wedding. There are plenty of different types of shoes to buy for a wedding, depending on the bride’s preference and your dress for the event. You could expect to spend at least $60 on shoes, which should be ready to dance around all night.

3. Hair, makeup and nails 

The bride isn’t the only one who has to have perfect hair and nails. As a bridesmaid it’s important that you make sure you are looking your best for the special day – your makeup needs to be looking beautiful and flawless. Typically, the bride and her bridesmaids will get their hair and makeup done together as a pre-wedding bonding activity. Approximately $150 is spent on hair, makeup, and nails for each bridesmaid.

4. Jewellery 

Accessories are one of the best ways to complement an outfit. A popular bridesmaid jewellery choice is a necklace with a matching bracelet. This combination can really add to the look and make it more elegant and glamorous. Jewels or even flowers in the hair are also quite popular within the wedding industry. Again, it depends on what look the bride wants for her bridesmaids. Accessories cost on average $50 for a nice set of jewellery to suit the bridal party.

5. The Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is a very important tradition for many brides. It’s a way for all her close female family and friends to say goodbye to her single life and say hello to her soon-to-be married life. Typically, the guests shower the bride with gifts and the bridesmaids take care of everything else. The maid of honour plays the pivotal role in this tradition because she organises the events leading up to the big day. A bridesmaid will usually spend around $190 on the bridal shower, which includes the bride’s gift, decorations, and catering.

6. The Hens Night

The hens night is the night of fun and games for the bride and her bridal party. It’s usually a night of drinking, dancing, and laughing until the sun comes up. To make sure it is the best night possible for the bride, the bridal party often does their absolute best by hiring a limo, booking a hotel room, and hitting the coolest clubs. Obviously, these costs can add up. The average hens night could cost you around $300.

7. Travel

If your best friend is getting married in another state (or a different area of the same state), then as a bridesmaid, you should be prepared to travel. Depending on where the location of the wedding and your home, the expected cost can be between $300 and $500.

8. Wedding Gift 

Last but certainly not least, the wedding gift. It’s a tradition to give wedding gifts to congratulate the newly married couple on their martial future. Bridesmaids also tend to give a wedding gift as a way of saying thank you to the bride. To make it more affordable, a good idea might be to give a group wedding gift with the rest of the bridal party. Either way, you will be looking at around $150 (depending on the gift).

With that being said, it is an honour to be a part of someone’s wedding and hopefully these costs won’t deter you from this wonderful experience. Just make sure you save your dollars in time for the big day!