Wedding Expenses: Who Pays for What

There are no absolute guidelines regarding who pays for what. The following list states the traditional expense breakdown. However, this is something that needs to be decided upon by both the bride’s and the groom’s families.

Bride and her family

Wedding dress, headpiece/veil, and accessories
Announcements/invitations, thank you cards, and postage
Cost of reception: hall rental, food, flowers, decorations, entertainment, etc.
Groom’s wedding band
Physical exam
Gifts for groom and bride’s attendants
Photography
Wedding video
Attendants’ bouquets
Wedding consultant’s fee
Guest book
Mother’s dress

Possibly
Bridesmaids’ dresses
Accommodations for bride’s out-of-town guests

Groom and his family

Wedding breakfast/brunch/dinner
Groom’s tuxedo
Bride’s ring
Honeymoon
Marriage license
Boutonnieres for attendants
Gifts for bride and groom’s attendants
Bride’s bouquet
Corsages for mothers and grandmothers
Physical exam
Mother’s dress
Tuxedos for fathers

Possibly
Tuxedos for attendants
Accommodations for the groom’s out-of-town guests

Note: If you plan to have additional receptions/open houses, the host party is responsible for the costs. For example, if the bride is from Texas and the groom is from Illinois, you may be planning two receptions. If this is the case the bride’s family is only responsible for the one in Texas. The groom’s family is the host for the reception in Illinois, and therefore is responsible for the cost.

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