Who pays for what in a wedding?
Figuring out who pays for what in a wedding can be a large undertaking. Determining what’s fair while keeping the family happy is a touchy subject in today’s modern wedding.
Each wedding is unique and special due to the circumstances that surround it and each of the families’ financial health. There are no guidelines that are set in stone, merely tradition that has been passed on.
Here is a traditional breakdown of who pays for what in a wedding. Keep in mind that these are merely suggestions based on tradition and may altered or modified to conform with the financial interests of each family.
The Bride:
- Groom’s wedding ring
- Attendant gifts
- Accommodations
- Groom’s wedding gift
The Groom:
- Bride’s engagement and wedding ring
- Honeymoon
- Bride’s wedding gift
- Marriage license
- Groomsmen’s gifts
- Wedding bouquet
- Corsages
- Boutonnieres
- Marriage officiant fee
Bride’s Family:
- Wedding reception
- Invitations
- Announcements
- Flowers
- Thank you cards
- Napkins
- Ceremony
- Photography
- Videography
- Ring bearer, bridesmaids and flower girl
Groom’s Family:
- Wedding clothing
- Travel expenses
- Rehearsal dinner
January 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
This is all bull crap. It is now 50/50! Honestly in today’s economy and we’re in the 20th century, not the 18th & 19th century! I’ve talked to many people that have gotten married and it’s all been 50/50.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
[...] This is not the 18th or 19th century, and traditional wedding customs have shifted to a more modern …. Thank goodness for that! Despite your best efforts, weddings, receptions and honeymoons can easily become very expensive, and no one should feel obligated to accept a financial burden of paying more than what is reasonable or what you feel comfortable paying, if anything. [...]
December 27th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
We are planning a destination wedding in Cancun for our daughter and not sure if we should pay for all of the hotels for the guest or if we can apply a discount on the rooms. If guest want to spend a long weekend or an entire week what is appropriate?