Bridal Resources
Traditional Wedding Financial Responsibilities
Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience for many couples. Often times, planning the expenses of a wedding raises many questions. Who is responsible for paying for certain expenses? What is the financial responsibility of the bride and her family? What does the groom’s family pay for?
Although many couples today are faced with the financial burden of planning and paying for their own weddings, many families still offer to pay for the entire event or a portion of the event. This article outlines what the traditional financial responsibilities of each person or family is responsible for. Of course, the wedding couple may choose to ask each family to cover certain expenses that are outside tradition, based on the financial planning of their wedding day. However, this is a guide for any bride or groom to help begin the financial plan of their wedding.
Bride's Family
- The Engagement Party
- The Photography for the engagement photos, wedding photographer, and videography
- Wedding invitations, announcements and postage
- Brides dress and accessories
- Fees for the ceremony site and other ceremony costs such as musicians, singers, etc.
- Ceremony accessories such as the aisle runner, canopy, trellis, tent, etc.
- Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception.
- Entire cost of the reception – food, drinks, cake, music, decorations, etc.
- Bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids, honor attendants, and flower girl (other flowers are covered by the groom but now usually all the flowers are paid for by the same person.)
- A gift for the couple
- Flowers for the ceremony and reception
- Their own wedding attire.
Groom's Family
- Rehearsal dinner
- Their own wedding attire
- Travel costs and housing
- Wedding gift to couple
- Any other costs they may volunteer to pay for
Bride
- A gift for the groom
- The groom’s wedding ring
- Her own hairstylist and make up stylist
- Presents for the attendants
- Personal stationary and thank you notes and cards
- Wedding guest book, cake knife, ring bearer pillow and other accessories
Other traditional finances covered by either the Bride or her Family
- Bridal consultant services
- Wedding planner services
- Boutonnieres for the fathers and grandfathers
- Valet parking or parking attendants
- Security arrangements
- A party for the bridesmaids.
The Groom Traditionally pays for
- The brides engagement ring
- The brides wedding ring
- The honeymoon
- A wedding gift for the bride
- His own wedding attire
- Marriage license and any other legal fees
- Officiates fee
- Flowers for both mothers
The Brides Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants
- Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
- Their own attire and accessories
- A shower and or party for the bride or couple
- A bachelorette party
- Their own travel expenses
Some other responsibilities of the bridal party may include
- Helping with the decorations
- Making wedding favors
- Receiving guests at the reception
- Assisting with the rehearsal dinner
- Assisting the bride with her dress
- Getting anything she needs before going down the aisle like food or drink.
- Being prepared with safety pins, a bottle of water, make-up, bobby pins, hairspray, etc.
The Groom's Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants
- Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
- Their own attire and accessories
- A bachelor party
- Their own travel expenses
Out of Town Guests pay for
- Their own travel expenses
- A gift for the couple
