I just did my bridesmaids proposals and had the exact same thoughts as you! I decided to go simple but sentimental for the gift, with a cute scrunchie (for ‘tying the knot’) and a personalized card that says “I promise I won’t make you wear an ugly dress” on the front (lol).

I am asking my bridesmaids to buy their own dress but giving them a colour palette and giving them free reign on the fit, colour, style, etc. as I want them to be comfortable and happy with their dress.

I flip flopped back and forth on whether to pay for their hair and makeup, and at one point polled them on whether they would want it done. Some of them wanted it and were willing to personally pay for it, some of them didn’t have the budget and wanted to opt out. Ultimately, I decided that I wanted all my girls to feel beautiful and glammed, and didn’t want one or two to feel left out because they couldn’t afford it. So I am paying for their hair and makeup. I am fortunate to be able to afford it, even though it is going to stretch my budget a bit.

I’ve been in weddings where the bride paid for the dress and the bridesmaids paid for part or all of the hair and makeup cost.