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Wedding Budget: Who Pays for What

Wedding etiquette is different from traditions that were established in the past. Traditionally, the bride’s family would pick up the tab but with the average cost of weddings skyrocketing, and more couples getting married later in life, they are sharing in the expenses. Forget the archaic rule that says certain people have to pay for certain things. Keep in mind that informal weddings are usually smaller (and therefore cheaper), and formal weddings tend to be larger (and therefore more expensive). The table below is a guideline to help everyone involved to share the expenses.

Service	Bride & Family	Groom & Family	Wedding Party
Rings	Groom’s wedding ring	Bride’s engagement ring Bride’s wedding ring
Prewedding Parties	Engagement party Bridesmaid luncheon	Rehearsal dinner	Bridal Shower Bachelor Party
Stationery	Invitations, announcements, programs, thank you notes and mailing costs	Groom assists with writing thank you notes	Assist assembling and addressing invitations
Attire	Bride’s gown, veil, accessories Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Groom’s formalwear Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Bridesmaid’s dresses Groomsmen formalwear
Flowers	Ceremony and reception Bouquets for the bridesmaids and flower girls	Bride’s bouquet Corsages for mothers Men’s boutonnieres
Ceremony	Church, rentals, and music fees	Marriage license and officiant fee
Photography & Videography	Engagement and Wedding photos and video		Take extra behind-the-scenes and candid pictures
Transportation	Limo for the Wedding Party to the ceremony and reception	Limo for the Bride and Groom	Wedding Party may drive themselves
Reception	Venue, rentals, food, cake, drink, decorations, favors, and entertainment	Groom’s cake	Bubbles or rice to toss and assist with assembling favors
Honeymoon		Plan and cover all expenses	Travel expenses if a destination wedding
Gifts	Groom and Bridesmaids	Bride and Groomsmen	Bride and Groom