Traditional Wedding Financial Resposibilities

If you are starting to plan your wedding, you should have a budget set up well in advance. You also need to determine who pays for what. Every situation is a little bit different, but you and your future spouse should have an open conversation with your parents about your expectations and make adjustments accordingly. Not discussing a wedding’s costs can cause confusion and even arguments later on, especially when the bills arrive.

In general, it is important for the bride and groom’s families to come to terms with the wedding budget. Families may need to cap the number of guests who are invited, and the bride and groom may need to scale back on flower arrangements. The following lists can give you some rules to go by and to adjust as necessary:

What the Bride’s Family Traditonally Pays For

The engagement party
Engagement and wedding photography
Videography
Wedding invitations, announcements and postage
Bride’s dress and other wedding attire
Fees for the ceremony site and other ceremony costs, such as musicians or singers
Ceremony accessories, such as aisle runners
Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
Entire cost of reception, including food, drinks, cake, music and decorations
Bouquets and corsages for the bride’s attendants, including the flower girl
Flowers
Their own wedding attire
A gift to the couple


What the Groom’s Family Traditionally Pays For

The rehearsal dinner
Their own wedding attire
Their own travel costs and housing
Wedding gift to the couple
What the Bride Pays For
A gift for the groom
The groom’s wedding ring
Her own hairstylist and makeup artist
Housing for out-of-town attendants
Presents for her attendants
Personal stationery and thank-you notes or cards
Wedding guest book, cake knife, ring bearer pillow and other accessories

What Either the Bride or Her Family Pay For

Bridal consultant services
Boutonnières for the fathers and grandfathers
Valet parking or parking attendants
Security arrangements
A party for the bridesmaids

What the Groom Traditionally Pays For

The bride’s engagement ring
The bride’s wedding ring
The honeymoon
A wedding gift for the bride
His own wedding attire
Marriage license and any other legal fees
Officiant’s fee
The bride’s bouquet
Flowers for both mothers
Boutonnières for himself and the male attendants
Corsage for the bride’s going-away outfit
Corsages for grandmothers and other honored female guests, such as godmothers or special aunts
Housing for his out-of-town attendants
Bachelor party if no one else pays for it

What the Bride’s Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants Pay For

Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
Their own attire and accessories
A shower and/or luncheon for the bride
Their own travel expenses

What the Groom’s Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants Pay For

Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
Their own wedding attire
Their own travel expenses
The bachelor party

What the Out-of-Town Guests Pay For

Their own transportation and lodging
A gift for the couple