It’s hard to know who should pay for what in a wedding when there are tons of different traditional rules that tell us what the groom’s family should pay for and what the bride’s family should pay for. It’s enough to make any bride go a little crazy! Fortunately, those traditional rules are just that—tradition. […]
It’s hard to know who should pay for what in a wedding when there are tons of different traditional rules that tell us what the groom’s family should pay for and what the bride’s family should pay for. It’s enough to make any bride go a little crazy!
Fortunately, those traditional rules are just that—tradition. Although they represent the standard way to pay for things in a wedding, you and your partner can choose to fund your wedding however you wish.
For example, you may like the idea of splitting the costs 50/50, or maybe your parents aren’t as comfortable financially as your partner’s family, so your partner’s family is more capable of helping out with the expenses.
By all means, if circumstances such as these impact the way you intend on paying for your wedding, then feel free to make your own rules. After all, what matters is that it is being paid for, right? The details aren’t important.
So, Who Should Pay for What in a Wedding?
Still, if both you and your partner’s family are financially capable of paying for the wedding according to traditional responsibilities, here are some of the most common rules of thumb for who should pay for what in a wedding.
The Bride’s Family:
Gown, veil, and accessories
Floral arrangements
Photography and videography
Reception services
Church, ceremony spot, or synagogue
Transportation and invites
Catering
Music
Decor
The Groom’s Family:
All-inclusive honeymoon
Rehearsal dinner tab and rehearsal dinner event location
Bride’s engagement and wedding ring (including any size changes, alterations, or custom design)
Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage, as well as corsages for women in the bridal party
Boutonnieres for the fathers, grandfathers, and groomsmen
Marriage license and officiant fee
Groom’s tux, clothing accessories, and honeymoon attire
It also helps to keep in mind those items and services that neither the bride nor the groom are typically responsible for, such as the bridal party’s attire and accessories, hair appointments, or fitting appointments.
Unless you and your partner are very comfortable financially and would like to take care of these things for your bridal party, they are expected to take financial responsibility for them on their own. Keep these basic traditions in mind when deciding who should pay for what in a wedding.
