Who Pays for What?

Breaking Down of Traditional Wedding Costs

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to weddings is “Who pays for what?”
More and more often, established couples are able to pay for their own wedding, but there are still instances
when a newly engaged couple needs the help of their families.

One way that more contemporary weddings are being paid for is by dividing the cost equally between the bride's and groom's families. This is a widespread and fair way to cover wedding expenses.

However, in spite of changing trends in wedding cost sharing, many families still prefer to go the traditional route when planning for wedding costs. But traditionally, which family pays for what parts?

Here is a traditional breakdown of expenses for the bride's and groom's families.

Bride's Family

• The bride's gown and accessories are at her family's expense.
• The reception expenses including the location rental, food, and beverages are the bride's family's responsibility.
• All stationary, invitations and postal cost as well as the cost of the bridesmaids' bouquets, all flowers arrangements, decorations for the ceremony and reception are paid for by the bride's family's.
• Ceremony and reception music, photography, and all transportation and parking are also a cost that the bride's family is traditionally responsible for when planning the wedding budget .

Groom's Family

• The groom's family purchases the bride's rings and wedding gift, as well as the marriage license and officiant's fee.
• The bride's bouquet and corsage, the corsages for the mothers and grandmothers and boutonnières for the groom's family are at the groom's family's expense.
• Ties, gloves and gifts for the groomsmen are also a groom's side expense.
• His family hosts and pays for the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.

It can be difficult to keep track of which family pays for what part of the wedding. The following table offers a simple breakdown of the wedding expenses for the bride and groom's family. Use it as quick reference when you need to quickly explain parts of your wedding budget.


Wedding Gown, Headpiece & Accessories--------------The Bride's Family

Wedding Ring for Bride---------------------------------------The Groom
Wedding Ring for Groom-------------------------------------The Bride

Wedding Gift for Groom---------------------------------------The Bride
Wedding Gift for Bride-----------------------------------------The Groom
Bridesmaid Gifts------------------------------------------------The Bride
Groomsmen/Usher Gifts---------------------------------------The Groom

Bride's Bouquet-------------------------------------------------The Groom
Bridesmaid Bouquets------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Mother's Corsages----------------------------------------------The Groom
Grandmother Corsages----------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Groom's Boutonniere-------------------------------------------The Groom
Groomsmen Boutonnieres------------------------------------The Groom
Usher's Boutonnieres-------------------------------------------The Groom
Ceremony/Reception Flowers--------------------------------The Bride's Family

Altar Baskets/Arches--------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Canopy/Carpet-----------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Kneeling Bench/Candleabras-----------------------------------The Bride's Family
Rented Items for Wedding--------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Rented Items for Reception-------------------------------------The Bride's Family

Invitations/Announcements--------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Wedding Programs-------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Napkins/Matches/Printed Items---------------------------------The Bride's Family

Marriage License-------------------------------------------------The Groom
Medical Visit for Bride-------------------------------------------The Bride
Medical Visit for Groom-----------------------------------------The Groom

Church Fee--------------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Clergyman/Officiant Fee---------------------------------------The Groom
Musician/Soloist--------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Church Janitor-----------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Reception Hall Fee----------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Catered Reception/Professional Services----------------The Bride's Family

Wedding Photography-----------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Video Photography---------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Orchestra/Band/DJ----------------------------------------------The Bride's Family

Wedding Cake--------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Wedding Favors-------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Groom's Cake---------------------------------------------------The Groom's Family
Rice Bags--------------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family

Rehearsal Dinner------------------------------------------------The Grooms Family
Bridesmaid Luncheon------------------------------------------The Bride
Bachelor Party---------------------------------------------------Best Man/Groom's Attendants
Wedding Breakfast---------------------------------------------The Bride's Family
Bridal Brunch-----------------------------------------------------The Bride's Family

Bridesmaid's Gowns---------------------------------------------Bridesmaids
Maid of Honor Gown---------------------------------------------Maid of Honor
Matron of Honor Gown------------------------------------------Matron of Honor
Best Man Formal Wear-----------------------------------------Best Man
Usher's Formal Wear---------------------------------------------Ushers
Groomsmen's Formal Wear-----------------------------------Groomsmen
Gloves/Ties/Ascots for Attendants---------------------------The Groom

Father of Bride Formal Wear-------------------------------------Bride's Family
Father of Groom Formal Wear-----------------------------------Groom's Family
Children's Formal Wear--------------------------------------------The Children's Parents

Limousine Service-------------------------------------------------The Groom
Honeymoon Arrangements--------------------------------------The Groom
Travel Expenses to the Wedding-----------------------------The Out-of-town Attendant or Family Member
Accommodations for out-of town Guests-------------------The Bride
Gifts for the Couple-------------------------------------------------Guests, Attendants and Family

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