[Quick question] Does the braid have to pay for the bridesmaid’s dress or not ?

If the marriage ceremony is organized enough to want matching bridesmaid dresses, I think they should provide them (i.e. pay for them, and their fitting, etc).

Otherwise, if it's a more informal ceremony where things aren't necessarily matching, then I could see asking the bridesmaids to wear a dress, but leaving the choice of what type/look up to them. Then I wouldn't expect the cost to be provided

If the bride chooses the dress, the bride pays. If the bridesmaids choose, they pay, in my opinion.

Usually. I was bridesmaid at my sister's wedding and she paid for the dresses. It's customary.

Isn't that it how works normally? The couple and their familes are the ones choosing everything including clothes for participats like bridesmaids so paying for that is their job.

Would they hire catering at the wedding and expect the guests to pay for their own food?

Quote from anat4ever

If the bride chooses the dress, the bride pays. If the bridesmaids choose, they pay, in my opinion.

I agree. If the bride is going to specifically require a certain dress, particularly without regard to other people's tastes or budget, then they pay. But if the bride says something more like "wear purple, any shade" then it's okay to have the bridal party pick and pay for their own dress.

Like most things, it's all about communication. Just don't put someone in a spot of making them agree to be in your bridal party or whatever and then spring on them that you're expecting thousands of dollars in expenses for them to pick up.

Im not paying for a clothes that I didnt even get to choose

different aspects for different cultures I guess...

at the end of the day it boils down to finances and communication

maybe the bride and their family aren't very well off

maybe the bride should at least have that conversation with their bridesmaids to discuss the plan of payment/non-payment/type of dresses etc