wow, my best friend is getting married in march, she was just telling me last night that they plan to hire the guest house next door (sleeps 24ppl) and are also paying for motel rooms for other family members to stay in (they have about 3 8ppl rooms)

tho, they can very much afford to do this, and they are paying for all the costs associated with the bridal party..

i always thought it would be ok to ask your bridesmades to pay for their dress - or go halves, and not expect a present from them... same goes for the best man.. i guess some peopple are just different!!