I know the bride always used to pay for the bridesmaids dresses, but at the last five weddings I've been to I got told that the bridesmaids were required to pay for their dresses themselves. Is it rude to tell them to pay, or is it the norm these days? I would love to buy it for them, but it would help so much if it were acceptable for them to each pay for her own dress. Of course, if they do, I'll give them freedom to choose any style they like.