Since I paid for all my bridesmaids' dresses (and I am not expecting them to get their hair, makeup, or nails done) is it ok for me to ask them to buy their shoes? I originally wanted to pick a pair for them that was under $50, but I found a great pair that matches their dresses perfectly. They are made by Guess, nude-colored, and peep-toe styled pumps. They are $69.99.
I showed the pair to 2 of my bridesmaids, one of them said, "If they are only $69.99 they must not be comfortable" (she has an expensive shoe collection) and the other bridesmaid said, "It was so nice of you to pay for our dresses! The least we can do is buy these shoes."
To me, $69 is a chunk of money, so I'm wondering if I should I pay for half? Pick a different shoe? Please don't suggest letting them wear their own shoes, because I have already decided that I want all the shoes to match. :)
Thanks, Bees!
@ChampagneBlushWedding: It seems to me that neither of them have a problem with actually paying (whether or not they like them is another story) so I think you're ok.
normally, i would say $69 is a lot of money for bridesmaid shoes. but i guess if you paid for their dresses and they don't mind, then go for it.
Given that they haven't paid for anything else, I think it's absolutely ok to ask them to buy specific shoes. And $70 is a totally fair price for shoes.
I agree that if I were a BM in a wedding and the bride bought my dress, and there wasn't some other sort of excessive cost involved, I would have no problem paying that for shoes. I've paid more for a dress and shoes that I haven't worn again.
I think it's less about price and more about comfort. I am the crankiest person alive when my feet hurt, and don't have the easiest time finding shoes that are comfy and pretty, so I would much rather a bride told me what dress to wear than what shoes to wear. Is there a particular reason why you want the BMs to all wear the same shoe?
Ooooo...I don't know, I am a nazi about what I put on my feet...and maybe I'm psychotic, but $69 for a pair of shoes that I'm going to be photographed in sounds a little low end....after all, we're talking SHOES people!
That is a LOT of money for something they may never wear again. But since you are paying for everything else, I could see it being okay.
I wouldn't have been happy with it, but because you are paying for so much, I'd be fine.
@Nona99: Haha. 
They are nude-colored Guess pumps, what are your thoughts on those?
@RoyalLime: They are nude pumps, so I would hope that they wear them again!
I think it's fine to ask them to pay for them. My girls' shoes are aorund $60 and I'm picking up the cost, but they paid over $200 for their dresses, not to mention travel expenses, etc. It's the least I could do since I can afford it. They all expected to pay for them though and all offered to but I refused.
I'd be pretty annoyed. I don't like other people picking out my shoes and I don't think I'd ever wear nude sling backs again. Might as well just shove $70 into the back of my closet.
@ChampagneBlushWedding: They sound worth every penny! $70 is really not bad, especially for something neutral that can be reworn. For a wedding I was in, the bride asked us to get any nude shoe we liked, so I could have gone to Payless for $20 shoes but I wanted something nice in nude so I spent $120 - you don't need to cheap out, especially be abuse they aren't dyed peacock teal or anything :)
@ChampagneBlushWedding: I would just be considerate about the comfort level. Have them try on the shoe first. I know for myself Guess shoes absolutely don't work for my feet. They make me miserable.
If you want simple nude pumps, and not something more elaborate, it might not be worth it to dictate one specific shoe. If you just say nude, pump with such and such a toe, I bet you they could all go out and pretty much get the same shoe. You would just have to specify the shade of nude, (ie. warm or cool).
@fishbone: Sling backs? No one said anything about sling backs...
I think the cost is totally fine since you paid for the dresses. But, do all of your ladies wear heels? I wear heels that high, but not all of my BMs do.... so might be something to think about. You don't want anyone twisting an ankle on the walk down the aisle!
@ChampagneBlushWedding: Well at least they are neutral. I don't own a pair, so I wouldn't wear them :)
@ChampagneBlushWedding: Im like you here, 69.99 sounds like alot for a shoe, i dont mornally spend alot on shoes, unless theyre boots, and they had to be absolutaly to die for. My wedding shoes arnt even going to cost that much. BUT if i was a bridesmaid, and the bride had paid for the dresses and asked me to buy my shoes then Id have no problem with it. even if the shoe was more expensif than that.
Normally I would say that is too much since taste in shows is very personal there is still a good chance they will never wear them again. But since you paid for the dress that is a different story. Most bridesmaids have to shell out a lot more than that for a dress they'll never wear again. Since you saved them that cost I don't see anything wrong with it.
ETA: I would just show them all the shoe (in person or photo) just to make sure they're all okay with the heel height. After seeing that photo I can say that if they don't wear heels often or are used to lower heels they might not be able to walk in those.
If you paid for the dresses, I'd be perfectly fine buying $70 shoes. If it's not comfortable, at worse I wear them once for your wedding and donate them. I mean, realistically, people only wear the bm dress which usually cost more than that just once, so the shoes are cheaper and still saves everyone money.
I would see your Nude Guess Peep Toe and raise you a Fendi Fendista....if your going to do it, do it right...but that's just me, after all, I LOVE SHOES!
I think it's fine. I don't consider $69 to be too much for shoes plus that shoe could easily be worn again. Have you checked Zappos to see if that shoe is avil there? They are sometimes cheaper and have free shipping and returns.
@Nona99: Those are AMAZING!!!!! I wish I could ask the girls to buy those, haha. 
I think that's fine, especially since they're shoes that could be worn again very easily!
@weddingbound: Yes I checked Zappos and other online shoe websites, but DSW is the only store that carries them. 
I also looked on Zappos' website for other nude pumps but would like to try them on before I made my girls wear them! Plus, I brought a swatch of the color of the bridesmaid dress with me so that I can match the dress with the shoe. It's crazy that there are SO many different shades of nude!
@ChampagneBlushWedding: ok i'm changing my response after seeing the picture of those shoes. Those look so uncomfortable. As a BM I would have no problem spending the money but I would have a major problem wearing those. A lot of people don't do well in platform shoes.
Pumps, sling backs, whatever, I wouldn't wear nude shoes again, no matter the style.
I think it's totally fine to ask them to buy the shoes. You're paying for the dress and the shoes are neutral and could be worn again.
That's more than I usually spend on a shoe, but if you paid for the dress and they knew they were spending about $50 on the shoes it's not so bad. Plus they would probably wear them again.
If you get a lot of push back, you could also just ask them to find something in that style and purchase their own choice. I think the patent nude peep toe has to be common enough to find in anyone's style and price range.
I think those are totally cute! Theyre definitely something that your bridesmaids can wear again... and if you already bought their dresses (very generous of you!) then I think the $69 price tag is good!
$69 is a lot of money, but since you paid for their dresses it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask them to buy their shoes. If one has a problem, maybe offer to help or find a similar style that is less expensive. They can definitely wear those shoes again, or turn around and sell them.
well, they either pay for a $100-200+ bridesmaid dress that they may or may not ever wear again or $70 for shoes they may or may not ever wear again. if i were one of your bridesmaids i'd say thats a bargain!
@ChampagneBlushWedding: i wouldn't have an issue paying, but i am so shoe sensitive I would prefer to be allowed to pick my own shoe with certain requirements. I was in a wedding where the bride told us the colour and general style of shoe and we all picked our own. Some girls had 4+ inches, one had flats etc but they still coordinated and looked great together
@Nona99: i always see those at Nordstrom and Saks. I love them!
I wouldnt mind spending the $69 especially since you already bought the dress.
If they like them, don't have a problem walking in them, don't mind paying for them...go for it.
Honestly I wouldn't because as a person who can't walk in heels with that height/skinny heel. I would fall and rebreak the ankle that has already been broken once. I wouldn't have an issue with the price the heel on it yes.
Yeah, I agree with everyone else - you've paid for the dress, so asking them to buy $70 shoes is no big deal. The dress undoubtedly cost way more and many brides ask their bridesmaids to purchase both a dress and shoes.
I also agree with @Meowkers: about having your girls try on the shoes to make sure they're comfortable for them, though. Those shoes look like they hurt (I have picky feet - my tallest heels are 3" and don't get much time outside of my closet). I would be fine paying the money, but I would not be happy about the pain I would have to endure all day.
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