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Who Pays for What?

Author: Bridal Guide

The traditional breakdown of who foots various bills.

In past generations, the bride's family paid for the majority of the wedding expenses. The groom's lucky family got off with just the rehearsal dinner, and the groom himself paid for the honeymoon, the bride's rings, and assorted other small expenses.

That was then. Nowadays, with the costs of weddings growing and many couples marrying later when they are more likely to have careers and incomes of their own, more brides and grooms are contributing to, or even picking up entirely, the cost of the wedding. And the parents of many grooms are also contributing more than in the past; a popular option is to have the bride's family, the groom's family, and the couple each contribute one third.

For reference, the following is the traditional breakdown of expenses:

The bride's family paid for:

• All reception costs (site, food, liquor, cake, music, gratuities)
• The wedding invitations, postage and related stationery expenses
• The bride's attire and trousseau
• Photography and videography
• Ceremony and reception flowers
• Rental fee for the ceremony site
• Fees for ceremony musicians
• Transportation of the bridal party on the wedding day

The groom's family paid for:

• The rehearsal dinner

The groom paid for:

• The cost of the marriage license
• The bride's engagement and wedding rings
• The bride's bouquet, corsages for the mothers, and the boutonnieres
• The ceremony officiant's fee
• Small gifts for his groomsmen
• The honeymoon

The bride paid for:

• Small gifts for her bridesmaids

The attendants paid for:

• The cost of their own apparel (dress or tuxedo rental, shoes, accessories)
• Their own travel and hotel expenses
• A bridal shower or bachelor party