How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bridesmaid?
Budgeting for a wedding is no easy task. Some of the biggest expenses include the venue, the entertainment, and the flowers. But what about the bridal party? No, we’re not talking about bridesmaid dresses, gifts, or accommodations. We’re talking about hiring bridesmaids to stand by your side on your special day and – in some cases – every day leading up to the ceremony.
Hiring a bridesmaid is becoming a common occurrence among brides who want less drama and more hands-on support. But how much does it cost to hire a bridesmaid, and how can you guarantee that you get what you pay for?
We’re here to answer these questions and more! Keep reading to learn how much a hired bridesmaid costs and tips for working it into your budget.
What is a Hired Bridesmaid?
As the name suggests, hiring a bridesmaid means paying someone to be a stand-in at your wedding. In many cases, hired bridesmaids perform all the same tasks as a traditional bridesmaid, from attending the bachelorette party and bridal shower to having their hair and make-up done on the morning of the big day. They might even write and give a speech, help carry the bride’s train, and keep your overzealous Uncle Sal from making a scene.
Some hired bridesmaids work undercover, using an alias and fake backstory of how they know the happy couple. This is common among brides who don’t want their family and friends to know there’s a stranger among them. Some brides have no qualms about revealing their hired help. After all, people hire all types of vendors and professionals for a wedding, like a DJ, photographer, and officiant – so why not a bridesmaid?
Professional bridesmaids have experience with all of the important wedding day details. They’re skilled at walking down the aisle, posing for photos, and mingling with guests. Basic duties include these things, as well as wearing the chosen dress, being escorted by a groomsman down the aisle, and attending the reception. Anything beyond these basic tasks will likely cost more. For many brides, hiring a bridesmaid is a worthwhile investment if it means their special day goes as planned.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Bridesmaid?
There’s no set price for how much it costs to hire a bridesmaid. Because this practice is relatively new (yet wildly popular), the average cost and income are still unknown. However, reports suggest that hired bridesmaids make anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 per wedding. More hands-on services that include wedding planning, attending multiple events before the big day, or traveling long distances could fetch as much as $5,000, with one professional bridesmaid claiming to have made $10,000 on a single event. Some hired bridesmaids charge by the hour, with the average rate ranging from $100 to $200.
When asking how much does it cost to hire a bridesmaid, you need to consider several factors. These include things like the person’s experience, how involved they are in the wedding and wedding planning, the event’s location, and if there’s a backstory involved. Hiring a bridesmaid to attend a destination wedding will cost more than if the event is local. Asking the bridesmaid to create an elaborate ruse about how they know you might also increase the price.
Some hired bridesmaids have a flat fee but offer upgrades and additional services. For example, they might charge $100 for speech writing or $200 for help organizing the bachelorette party in addition to their hourly rate. Having the bridesmaid attend events before the wedding ceremony will also cost more – i.e., the bridal shower, dress shopping, and rehearsal dinner. The bridesmaid’s level of experience may also impact the final cost. Although most bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, shoes, and accessories, these costs will be yours to cover when hiring a professional.
Here are some general pricing packages pulled from several bridesmaid-to-hire websites. You’’ notice that the fees and rates vary significantly, depending on the level of service but also, the bridesmaid’s experience.
- 8 hours of wedding support and three pre-wedding meetings: $2,000 (plus $750 for a destination wedding)
- Email support for speech writing, dealing with pushing in-laws, or first-time bridesmaid tips: $15
- Customized wedding timeline for all participants and phone/email support: $100
- Wedding coordination and planning help: $300
- All of the above-mentioned services, plus attending the wedding as a bridesmaid: $700
- Bridesmaid at the wedding and attendance at all pre-wedding events: $2,000 – $2,500
- Speech writing: $100 – $350
- Bridal party and/or bachelorette planning: $500
According to ZipRecruiter, hired bridesmaids can charge as little as $21 an hour, but there’s no other evidence to support this figure.
What Does the Cost of Hiring a Bridesmaid Cover?
As you’ve probably figured out, the cost to hire a bridesmaid depends mostly on the services you need and how much support you want. Some brides just need a stand-in to even out the bridal party, while others want a borrowed bestie for the day and all the pre-wedding shenanigans.
Basic Hired Bridesmaid Services
- Stand in at the wedding and walk down the aisle
- Attend the wedding reception
- Take pictures both before and during the wedding
- Create a backstory of how they know the bride or couple
- Help the bride choose her dress
- Emotional support
- Assistance on the day off
- Reducing drama and helping keep the peace
Extra Hired Bridesmaid Services
- Travel to a destination wedding
- Help planning and attending the bridal shower and/or bachelorette party
- Speech writing and delivery
- Help to assemble centerpieces
- Attending or planning other pre-wedding events
Reasons to Hire a Bridesmaid
With the average wedding costing around $30,000, some people might wonder if hiring a bridesmaid is really worth the money. If you ask brides who have, the resounding answer is yes!
The term bridezilla didn’t come from just anywhere. With 94% of brides-to-be admitting they experience extreme stress during the planning process, hiring a bridesmaid to help with some of the pre-wedding planning and making sure the big day runs smoothly is priceless. So, instead of worrying about how much it costs to hire a bridesmaid, let’s look at what you’ll be getting (in addition to peace of mind).
A Borrowed Bestie
Not everyone has a large group of best friends to stand by their side on their wedding day – or even a few. Hiring a bridesmaid may be the perfect solution if you need a borrowed bestie for the day whose top priority is your happiness.
Most professional bridesmaids have experience being the perfect addition to your big day. They know all the right things to do and all the faux pas to avoid. For example, they can help keep the ceremony moving forward on time, get the guests dancing and involved, and encourage attendees to sign the guest book. With no real emotional investment, a hired bridesmaid is there to do a job – make your wedding day perfect!
Less Drama
Speaking of no emotional connection, drama is common among bridal parties. Whether someone’s feelings are hurt for not being included or your cousins don’t get along, the last thing you need is more stress on your big day. That’s where the cost of hiring a bridesmaid is priceless! Say goodbye to catfights and temper tantrums by hiring a bridesmaid dedicated to making your day perfect.
Help with Planning and Organizing
Wedding planners can get costly. If you’re going to invest in extra support, why not hire a bridesmaid who doubles as a planner, too? Many professional bridesmaids offer hands-on help with the planning process and execution the day of. Services include everything from helping choose the centerpieces, flowers, and decor to attending food tastings, planning the bridal party, and dress shopping. When you hire a professional bridesmaid with years of experience as the ideal wedding assistant, you can rest assured that they’ll be by your side every step of the way – literally!
A Speech Writer
Nearly 75% of people fear public speaking. Unfortunately, toasts and speeches are standard at most weddings. One way to reduce the stress of speaking in front of hundreds of people is to have a hired bridesmaid help write the speech or deliver it for you! This is a common service professional bridesmaids offer, whether or not they attend the wedding. Hired bridesmaids know all the right things to say when delivering a speech that’s equal parts moving and entertaining.
A Beautiful Bridesmaid to Balance the Bridal Party
Most bridal parties have an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Not only does this make for beautiful and balanced pictures, but it also allows for an even number of couples walking down the aisle. For brides who want everything picture-perfect (literally), hiring a bridesmaid can help balance things out.
The Cost to Hire a Bridesmaid is Priceless
Most brides would agree that hiring a bridesmaid for their big day is well worth the investment. Even with some professional bridesmaids charging upwards of $2,000, the peace of mind and emotional support they bring is truly priceless. From pre-wedding planning to ensuring things run smoothly during the ceremony and reception, every bride needs a professional bridesmaid in their back pocket.
Whether you’re searching for a bridesmaid or want to become one, we can help!
