Who pays for what according to wedding etiquette today is a question I get asked a lot. I am breaking down the expenses the bride and her family covers and the expenses the groom and his family covers. In the past the cost of the wedding was the sole responsibility of the bride’s parents, but today only about 30 percent of weddings are paid for solely by the bride’s parents. These days it’s common for both the bride’s and groom’s families to share the costs of the wedding or for the bride and the groom to pay for all or part of the expenses themselves. Most couples getting married today are older and independent and are already established in their careers.
So, who pays for what when it comes to tradition?
Traditional Expenses of the Bride and Her Family:
- Venues
- Bride’s wedding gown and accessories
- Invitations and other stationery
- Wedding Planner
- Flowers
- Catering and Bar
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Transportation of the bridal party
- Musicians
- Wedding favors
- Wedding cake and groom’s cake
- Groom’s wedding band
- Bride’s gift to groom
- Bride’s gift to her attendants
- Gift for parents
Traditional Expenses of the Groom and His Family:
- Bride’s engagement and wedding ring
- Groom’s attire
- All costs of rehearsal dinner (invitations, venue, catering, flowers, etc.)
- Officiants fee or donation
- Lodging and travel expenses for officiant if from another town
- Marriage license
- Bride’s bouquet
- Groomsmen and Ushers boutonnieres
- Mother’s and Grandmother’s corsage or nosegay
- Getaway Vehicle/Transportation that picks up bride and groom from the reception
- Wedding night accommodations
- Groom’s gift to the bride
- Groom’s gift to his attendants
- Expenses of honeymoon
Our Guide for Parents of the Groom is a great guide that informs the parents of the groom what all they are expected to do (and not do). Click here to learn more!
xo, Terrica
