It's been too long ago for me and times may have changed, but what is proper for the bride's family to pay for and the groom's family to pay for as far as the wedding goes. Also, my daughter claims they want to pay for everything themselves - I say no way - PLEASE HELP a dad who has no clue.
2006-08-04 13:35:46 · 23 answers · asked by michael c 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Who Pays for What in a Wedding?
There are a variety of interpretations on who pays for what, and wedding expenses today are often shared among parties, with those best equipped to pay for them stepping in as required. But here's a general outline of who traditionally pays for what in a wedding.
Bride Pays For:
Wedding ring for Groom
Wedding gift for Groom
Bride's attendants gifts
Wedding gown, headpiece and accessories (alternately paid for by Bride's Family)
Wedding planning consultant
Bridesmaids luncheon
Lodging for out of town guests (they pay for their own travel expenses)
Groom Pays For:
Engagement and wedding rings for Bride
Wedding gift for Bride
Groom's attendants gifts
Marriage license
Officiant's fee
Groom's attire
Boutonnieres for Groom's attendants
Transportation / Limosine (alternately paid for by Bride's Family)
Honeymoon
Bride's bouquet (alternately included with florals, paid for by Bride's Family)
Mothers corsages (alternately included with florals, paid for by Bride's Family)
Boutonnieres for Groom, Groomsmen and Ushers
Bride's Family Pays For:
Wedding Invitations and Announcements
Wedding Programs
Wedding breakfast
Bridal lunch
Wedding gown, headpiece and accessories (alternately paid for by Bride)
Ceremony Decorations (altar baskets, arches, candleabrahs, kneeling benches and any rented items)
Church Fee
Transportation / Limosine (alternately paid for by Groom)
Wedding reception
Flowers for ceremony, reception, bridal bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquet, corsages and boutonnieres for family (alternately, bridal bouquet, mothers corsages paid for by Groom)
Photography
Videography
Musical Entertainment
Groom's Family Pays For:
Rehearsal dinner
Boutonnieres and corsages for immediate family members
Groom's Cake
Attendants Pay For:
Rental or purchase of wedding attire
Travel expenses to and from wedding city
Wedding gift for the wedding couple
Bridal Shower
Bachelor and bachelorette Parties
2006-08-04 13:39:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to old fasioned custom, the bride's parents pay for the whole deal. As times, changed - the parents of the groom would offer to pay for the booze or the rehearsal dinner or both. It seems like today almost anything goes. It might be helpful to have all interest parties sit down and discuss how they might contribute. If the bride and groom are older and have been living on their own, they will probably be happiest to plan their own wedding. Perhaps a nice check from papa will help them put their plans into action. Best Wishes to the bride and groom.
One final point - weddings can get out of hand - don't let anyone go into debt to fund a wedding - better to make it smaller or less fancy that for anyone to end up paying for it years later....
2006-08-04 14:41:53 · answer #2 · answered by Clockwork Grape 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Times definitely have changed. I know it was tradition for the family of the bride to pay. I think that reflected a different mindset, though. It was kind of like, "You're taking our daughter off our hands and we realize you'll have to support her for the rest of her life..." Also, people tended to get married younger, so the young couple usually didn't have a dime. Nowadays many couples wait until they're a little older to marry and very well might have the financial resources. I personally think it's completely outdated to assume the parents' brides should pay for everything. I also think the bride and groom should not EXPECT their parents to pay...if their parents can help in any way, that's great, but it should not be expected. Especially if the couple chooses to have an elaborate wedding. I'd say it's up to the parents. If you feel the need to help, I guess give them a check for whatever amount you can live with and think is apprporiate. If they choose not to use it toward the wedding or honeymoon, if they're a normal couple, they can definitely use it toward a down payment for a house, or to start a savings account, etc.
2006-08-04 13:43:31 · answer #3 · answered by Kiki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding and and reception. The grooms family pays for the rehearsal dinner and flowers.
The groom should pay for the honeymoon, or the bride and groom together.
Let your daughter be financially responsible if she and her husband can afford it. People do things differently now, many couples pay for their own celebrations.
I've seen so much money blown on these one day celebrations. Why not make it simple and instead give a chunk toward a down payment on a house? Seems more practical to me.
2006-08-04 18:15:13 · answer #4 · answered by Nancy R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of traditional ideals say that the bride's parents pay for the ceremony. Since this is 2006, I think you should confer with the other parents involved and see if they would like to share some cost of the wedding, as well as the prospective bride and groom. Just because it has been done one way, does not mean that you cannot find your own way to do this. Good Luck.
2006-08-04 13:42:17 · answer #5 · answered by dcg42bowler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh boy. It's cmplicated. You might want to get a few books from the library on the subject.
Traditionally the bride's family pays for the wedding and reception. The groom's family pays for the rehersal dinner and honeymoon. The groom pays the officiant. When it comes to the wedding party's attire it gets fuzzy. Some say the bride's parents pay, oher want to split the groomsmen and bridesmaids between families. Others ask the wedding party to pay their own costs.
Good luck.
2006-08-04 13:41:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dad of the bride pays for the wedding and the dad of the groom pays for the wedding rehearsal dinner and honeymoon.
2006-08-04 13:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by Stacy C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Will its the brides family who picks up the tab. But if the grooms parent wants to pay. Then you have to play buy their rules. Hey why cause a fuss go dutch. Ask them if you could help out with the cost. Its very nice of them to do this.
2006-08-04 14:01:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally the parents of the bride paid for the wedding and the parents of the groom paid for the rehearsal. Today, the money comes from many sources.
2006-08-04 14:21:33 · answer #9 · answered by Bullwinkle Moose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't remember off hand, but there was a really great movie with Ernest Borgnine and Bette Davis about the poor parents of a bride struggling to arrange the wedding to please the wealthy parents of the groom. I'm sure you could find it on a movie site on the Web.
2006-08-04 13:46:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the following contained in the US, the bride's mom and father regularly pay for the reception/catering, the gown and likely the DJ. something of the marriage prices should be paid 50/50 by technique of the groom and the bride.
2016-10-15 11:07:13 · answer #11 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋