Reading these stories makes me FURIOUS. I am getting married in December and I am paying for the bridesmaid dresses, makeup, hair, accommodation etc. I am also helping them organise my hen's show and contributing financially to that as well. I will never understand people that CHOOSE to get married and expect everyone to fork out so much money and time without a second thought. It is YOUR day and if you want something you should be paying for it not expecting everyone else to. I don't understand how people just expect all this and not feel horrible. People need to factor this is when planning for a wedding and if you can't afford to have a big bridal party etc then you shouldn't be having one. My partner and I are having 60 people at our wedding, paying for 80 percent of it ourselves and factored in bridal party costs into our savings plan. People are ridiculous and need to realise it is ONE day.