I get tons of questions asking me who pays for what regarding the wedding. Does the bride pay for this? Can I pay for that? Can I ask someone to pay for this? Is it ok that the bride's family isn't paying for the wedding? Though a small novella would answer all of these questions, here is a simple checklist to let you know the traditional roles in paying for the wedding. Thank you, Emily Post.
Who Pays For What? — Traditional Expenses of The Bride or Bride's Family
- The wedding consultant (wedding planner or wedding coordinator)
- Wedding invitations, enclosure cards, announcements (all wedding stationery)
- Wedding flowers which includes the bridesmaids bouquets, wedding bouquets, and any floral decorations for the ceremony and reception.
- Wedding photographer and photographs
- Wedding videographer and video
- Any music used during the ceremony and reception
- The entire reception (yup, this is the bride's responsibility in full)
- Bridesmaids gifts and attendants gifts
- The groom's wedding ring
- Carpet for the aisle, rental of awnings, etc.
- Cost of soloists and other wedding ceremony musicians/entertainment
- A traffic officer if necessary
- The bridal party's transportation to the reception
- Transportation and lodging for officiant if invited by the bride's family
- Any accommodations (lodging, fees) for the bridesmaids and attendants
- Sexton fees
Who Pays For What? — Wedding Expenses of The Groom or Groom's Family
- The marriage license
- Grooms gift to his bride
- Gifts for groomsmen, ushers, etc.
- Formal wear accessories for groomsmen if not part of the clothing rental package
- In some regions, the bridal bouquet
- The bride's going-away corsage
- Boutonnieres for the groomsmen, ushers, etc.
- Officiant's fee or donation (this is always a groom's fee and is different than accommodations)
- Transportation for groom and best man to and from the ceremony
- The honeymoon package and expenses(yup, bride gets the reception, groom gets the honeymoon)
- The rehearsal dinner
- Accommodations for groomsmen, ushers, etc.
- Bachelor dinner if one is being held
- Transportation and lodging for groom's immediate family
- Corsages for immediate members of both families unless bride includes these in her wedding flowers package
- The bride's engagement ring and wedding ring
Who Pays For What? — Wedding Expenses of the Bridesmaids or Honor Attendants
- Apparel and all accessories
- Transportation to and from the city where the wedding is being held
- Contribution to a group gift from the bridesmaids to the bride if being given
- An individual gift to the couple if given (being in the wedding may be considered one)
- A shower or luncheon for the bride if held
Who Pays For What? — Traditional Expenses of the Best Man or Ushers
- Individual wedding attire rental
- Transportation to and from the city where the wedding is being held
- Contribution to a group gift from the groomsmen to the groom
- An individual gift to the couple if given
- A bachelor dinner or luncheon if held
Who Pays For What? — Traditional Expenses of Out Of Town Guests
- Transportation to and from the wedding
- Lodging expenses
- Wedding gift
This may seem like a lot to absorb at one time. Don't worry about it! Print this list off and keep it for later. I hope this is helpful when you're creating the budget for your wedding. It's always nice to know who pays for what!
[…] It's obviously a big gesture for your sister's in-laws to offer to pay for any of the wedding, especially a big part like the wedding photographer. Without offending them, there are easy ways to accept their gesture without compromising wedding etiquette. If your sister is a stickler for tradition, suggest that she discuss other traditional wedding payment roles with her in-laws. For example, traditionally the groom and groom's family are responsible for the rehearsal dinner, honeymoon (groom usually pays for this), boutonnieres for the groomsmen, the bride's bouquet and other things like this. If you'd like more ideas, visit this blog about wedding expenses (who pays for what). […]