Who pays for what?

There are no absolute rules about who pays for what.
However, it is still helpful to know who traditionally assumes the various expenses


The Bride
· Wedding ring for the groom
· A wedding gift for the groom
· Presents for the bridal attendants
· Bridesmaids' luncheon
· Personal stationery
· Physical examination/blood test
· Accommodations for her out-of-town attendants (optional)
· Attendants' dresses (optional)
· Gift for parents (optional)

The Groom

· The bride's rings
· A wedding gift for the bride
· The marriage license
· Gifts for the best man and ushers
· Flowers: bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, corsages for   mothers and boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party
· Accommodations for out-of-town ushers or best man.
· Blood test
· Fee for the officiant
· Transportation to airport
· The honeymoon
· Bachelor dinner (optional)
· Groomsmen's attire (optional)
· Gloves, ties or ascots for the men in the wedding party (optional)
· Lodging for out-of-town attendants (optional)
· Gift for parents (optional)

The Bride's Family

· First engagement party (optional)
· The wedding invitations, announcements, thank-you notes, programs and mailing costs
· The fee for engagement and wedding photographs
· Bride's wedding attire/trousseau
· Bridesmaids' bouquets
· Ceremony: rental of sanctuary, fees for organist, soloist or choir, and sexton (sometimes included in charge for premises) aisle carpets and/or canopy and any other additional costs for decorations
· Transportation for bridal party to the wedding ceremony and from ceremony to reception
· Gratuities to those directing traffic as well as parking costs and coat-check fees
· The entire cost of the reception: food, wedding cake, beverages, gratuities for the bartenders and waiters, decorations, music, flowers (flower girl, church, reception), photographer and/or videographer
· Parents' wedding attire
· Security and insurance for gifts
· A wedding gift for the couple
· Welcome buffet or cocktail party for out-of-town guests (optional)

The Groom's Family

· Engagement party (following party given by bride's parents)
· Any traveling expenses and hotel bills they incur
· Groom's personal stationery, thank-you notes
· Groom's wedding attire
· Parents' wedding attire
· The rehearsal dinner
· Wedding gift for the couple
· Shipment of wedding gifts to the couple's new home
· Welcome buffet or cocktail party for out-of-town guests (optional)

The Guests

· Traveling expenses
· Wedding gift for the couple

Bride's Attendants

· Bridal shower
· Bridesmaid's dress, shoes & hosiery
· Travel expenses
· Wedding gift for the couple

Groom's Attendants

· Bachelor party
· Formalwear rental
· Travel expenses
· Wedding gift for the couple

Back to Engagement & Wedding Index

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This page was created on February 27th, 2000
 

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