Who Traditionally Pays for What in a Wedding

 

 

Working out a budget for your wedding is one of the first things that should be done once a date is set. Will you have a formal or casual ceremony? Will it be  modern or traditional? Who pays for what? Unlike in the past, the rules aren't so rigid anymore. The burden of paying for the wedding doesn't solely rely on the father of the bride. Many couples are paying for weddings on their own or splitting the bill 50/50 with both sets of parents. There are no longer any hard rules as to who pays for what but below is a guideline for a traditional wedding breakdown if you choose to go that route.

Attire

• The cost of the wedding dress is handled by the bride and her family. They're also expected to pay for the veil, accessories and the rest of the wedding attire including outfits for the shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon.
• The wedding party is expected to pay for their own outfits: the bridesmaids pay for their dresses and the groomsmen pay for their suits.
• The groom's family covers the cost of the groom's outfit including shoes, socks and any other accessories.

Ceremony

• Traditionally, the bride and her family cover all fees related to the church as well as any music needed for the ceremony.
• The groom and his family pay for the officiant fee as well as the marriage license.

DJ

• The groom and his family handle the fee for the DJ or entertainment.

Flowers and Decorations

• Flowers at the ceremony and reception as well as bouquets and corsages for the bridesmaids are paid for by the bride and her family. They also cover the cost for any decor.
• The groom and his family pay for the bride's flower bouquet, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers and boutonnieres for the groomsmen.

Food & Drinks

• The groom and his family pay for the drinks and alcohol.
• The bride and her family handle the wedding cake fee as well as dinner and desserts.

Gifts

• The bride pays for gifts to the bridesmaids and for an optional gift to the groom.
• The groom will get a gift for his groomsmen as well as an optional gift for the bride.
• The bride and groom pay for the bombonieres for guests or family as they are gifts for sharing your special day.
• Guests are expected to get gifts for the bride and groom.

Honeymoon

• The groom and his family pays for the full honeymoon.

Photography

• The photographer and videographer are paid for by the bride and her family.

Pre-wedding parties

• The bride's family traditionally covers the cost of the engagement party.
• The groom's family typically covers the cost for the rehearsal dinner.
• The maid of honour and bridesmaids are expected to host the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
• The best man and groomsmen are expected to host the bachelor party.

Reception

• The bride and her family are expected to cover any costs to rent the wedding hall as well as any other rentals needed for the reception.

Rings

• The bride traditionally buys the groom's ring.
• The groom buys the bride's wedding and engagement rings.

Stationery

• The bride and her family cover the cost of invitations, menus, programs or announcements.

Transportation

• The bride and her family cover any transportation cost for the reception and ceremony with the exception of any separate transportation needed for the groom and his wedding party.
• Out-of-town guests are expected to cover their own transportation costs to get to the wedding.