Planning a Wedding: Who Pays for What - The Bride, The Groom, and The Families

The excitement that follows an engagement can quickly turn to panic once the couple begins to list the upcoming wedding expenses. Modern weddings are expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid high wedding costs. Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the bulk of the wedding expense. The bride's parents may have planned early, and created a "wedding savings account." Some engaged couples pay for their own wedding and reception, in which bank loans or credit cards are maxed to the limit. Then again, both sets of parents may agree to split the costs. Weddings are special days for the bride and groom. In hindsight, it is only fair for both families to pay for equal expenses. While this may sound like a perfect arrangement, equal dividing of wedding expenses rarely occurs. The groom and his family may take care of certain expenses, but the bride and her family pay for the larger part. If planning a wedding, and unsure of how to split the expense, consider this breakdown of modern day wedding expenses.

The Bride and Groom: Who Pays for What?

Even though the engaged couples are the guest of honor, this does not excuse them from certain expenses. The bride and groom are customarily required to purchase wedding bands for each other. To heighten anticipation, the couple may choose to keep the ring selection a secret. Prior to buying the ring, the couple might visit a jewelry retailer together, and each picks two or three rings. On a later date, the bride and groom should return separately, and buy a ring from the other's wish list. The couple is expected to pay for the wedding bands themselves.

To show appreciation for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the bride and groom should buy gifts for the attendants. Wedding attendants handle many of the "behind the scene" tasks. They might assist with wedding invitations, compile addresses, plan the bridal shower, etc. Furthermore, bridesmaids and groomsmen must purchase bridesmaid dresses and rent tuxedos, which could create a financial burden.

The wedding expenses paid by the groom exceed the bride's expenses. Other expenses incurred by the bride may include the wedding bouquet and bridesmaid flowers. On the other hand, the groom is also responsible for paying the ceremony fees and the honeymoon costs. Ceremony fees include any monies paid to rent a church or wedding chapel, marriage license fees, and fees paid to a wedding officiate

The Bride's Family: Who Pays for What?

Planning a wedding for a daughter is exciting, but financially draining. The expenses paid by the bride's family include the engagement party. The engagement party is optional, and many families opt to skip this celebration. Of course, there are ways to keep the engagement party simple. Invite a few close friends and relatives, and provide guests with finger foods, coffee, and cake. Another optional expense paid by the bride's family is the newspaper announcement.

The bride's family is responsible for the wedding reception, cake, wedding gown, reception flowers, photographer, and invitations. Ironically, these six expenses are the costliest. To assist, the bride, groom, or the groom's family may offer to take on an additional expense. Perhaps the bride could pay for her own dress, or the groom and his family could pay for the photographer or wedding invitations.

The Groom's Family: Who Pays for What?

The groom's family has the easiest role in planning the wedding. The night before the ceremony, rehearsal dinners are common. This might consist of a small gathering for the wedding party and out-of-town relatives immediately following the rehearsal. If the bride and groom choose to host a rehearsal party, the groom's family is responsible for this expense. If held at the groom's home, the groom's parents may prepare the meal, or have the event catered.