Traditionally it is given by the bridesmaids, friends, mother and / or mother-in-law of the bride. If you feel strongly about it, perhaps chat to your bridesmaid(s)and ask if there is anything that you can contribute. It can sometimes be very tough if you only have one bridesmaid and she feels she needs to shoulder the entire thing on her own financially

Hi Last year I was Made of Honour for my future sister in law nearer to the time when the bachelorette party was suppose to happen myself and the bride and the bridesmaid decided we going to CUBANA and have our evening their we will be paying for the first 2 round and the platters and to our surprise for the rest of the evening everyine then contributed to everything except the bride we took care of her food and drinks and whatever she needed for the evening. We all ended up having a great time we all pitched in to make it a great evening so I think you can ask the people attending the close family and her friend to help with your function the day of you doing everything is over and by everyone being involved it just makes everyone more excited and bond more in this.

If you're not expecting anything over the top, then it's fine for your girls to have a little party in your honour, that doesn't cost anyone anything except their own food and drinks (and yours is covered of course). However, if you're wanting something lavish to celebrate your forthcoming, life long (hopefully) commitment, then you should fork out for it yourself. Simple...

What is the protocol for asking people to pay for themselves, do you include this in the invitation, I am going to be giving one for my friend soon and I am seriously worried that I am expected to carry the full bill for 30 people as I cannot afford this, or do i pay for the food and each gets their own drinks?

Bella, I think its fine if you see to the food and everyone else see to their own drinks. Thats what we do when we have bachelorettes.

I do not think the bride / groom should contribute to their own parties - unless they "expect" something that is in the extremely expensive realm. Otherwise, in order to make things easier for the bridesmaids, they should ask each person to contribute R100.00 for their food/drinks - or even pay for their own drinks, depending on what you are planning - and keep any gifts small - or not do gifts at all - a nice party should be a good enough gift when you consider guests will be forking out for wedding gifts as well.