chipping in for bridal shower?

hi girls. we're in the midst of planning a bridal shower for a friend of mine. her mom was asking me what an appropriate amount for the bridesmaids to chip in would be. any ideas?

TIA!

i think my sister/moh is asking for $140 from each (there are 4 other girls). that would cover the restaurant alone if every person invited comes. but there are 2 bm's in college, that work part-time who might not be able to contribute that much.

here's my feeling. i hated being asked to shell out $250 by my brother's fi's sister for her upcoming shower. they did not even have a place picked out when they asked me so they couldn'teven tell me where that money was going to...i think if you are going to ask for $ (which is totally acceptable and for the most part expected) you should be able to tell the bm where their $ is going. i left a msg on her sister/moh's voicemail that i could only give $100, that i make $250 in a week (i work in daycare, fulltime student, so i don't make much $) and that with my wedding in july i can't fork over a paycheck for their shower (especially when the bm dress costs $250 w/out alterations...). her sister never called me back, i just got the invite to the shower, i guess they didn't need help planning...whatever.

i think its best to figure out an amount when you know where you are having it and how much money you will need total. then let them know the total, how much you want each person to chip in, and give them the option to chip in less (its expensive to be in a wedding, not everyone has the $$$ for everything). good luck! ~Lacey

hmm...well, i think it really depends on the kid of shower it is- obviously, if its a big shower at a nice restaurant, they are gonna have to put in more than if it was a simple shower at somebodys house ( personally, i think house showers are much nicer- more laid back and personal).
i've been in 2 weddings- the first one, i was asked to put in $200 for my part of the shower and the group gift... the shower was at a nice italian restaurant, about 40 guests, and there were 5 BMs.
in the second wedding i was in, the brides neighbor threw the shower at her house, and covered most of the cost... i think i probably put in $75 for the food i made, the cake, favors, etc... i was lucky on that one
i know for my shower, my mom paid for most of it... again, it was a REALLY simple shower at my aunts house and they had it caterered with finger sandwiches, pasta salads, that kind of thing.... i think the girls each put in $75 towards the food and the group gift
hope that helps