Here comes the ‘bridesmate’
Gone are the days of the traditional bridesmaid, as new research* from VoucherCodes.co.uk reveals the endless squeeze on finances has forced brides to cut back on the cost of their wedding. Over a third of brides (38 per cent) are now sacrificing having bridesmaids altogether and replacing them with ‘bridesmates’ – a friend who covers the tasks and costs involved in being a bridesmaid, without the fancy title.
Even those brides-to-be who refuse to give up their bridesmaids admit they’ve been forced to slash their budget; with the average spend per dress dropping from £363 in 2010 to £134.27 in 2013, and flowers from £102 to £61.55**. Only one in five (19 per cent) will still buy everything for their bridesmaids.
One in five brides (19 per cent) claim they’ll cover the cost of the dress but will ask their friends to pay for their own shoes and accessories, while eight per cent suggest their ‘bridesmates’ buy and wear co-ordinating outfits instead of a traditional bridesmaid dress.
Despite this, only five per cent of those surveyed are willing to relinquish control to their friends over choice of dress, causing tension amongst more than a quarter (29 per cent) of ‘bridesmates’ who say they would need the final say on the outfit they were being forced to buy, and over a third (35 per cent) who worry about spending more than they can afford. One in five (20 per cent) reluctant ‘bridemates’ even admit they would be annoyed if they had to buy their own outfit and still carry out all the traditional bridesmaid duties like planning the hen party.
Where a ‘bridesmate’ just won’t do, many women are simply reducing the number of bridesmaids in total to keep costs down. The research shows one in six (18 per cent) wives-to-be were forced to have fewer bridesmaids than they wished for to keep the costs down, with one in eight (15 per cent) admitting they can only afford one or two bridesmaids – compared with the average of three in 2010.
Whatever call the bride-to-be makes it’s going to be a tough one with one in seven (17 per cent) women admitting they’d be disappointed if they weren’t asked to take on the special role for their friend.
Helen Evans, site Editor of VoucherCodes.co.uk told Weddings Know-How Magazine: “Weddings are traditionally an expensive affair so it’s only natural that brides are trying to find ways to trim down their budgets in the face of the recession. That said, where the bride makes savings, costs to the ‘bridesmate’ increase which can put dangerous pressure on friendships as well as finances so it’s important to find a compromise that avoids offending anyone or putting them under financial pressure. With careful planning and research, ‘bridesmates’ can use deals and discounts to make sure they help their friend have the day they dreamed of without breaking the bank.”
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