In today’s society there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to who pays for what at weddings. Generally, it comes down to who can afford to pay for what wedding services.
But for those of you curious as to the “official” list of wedding costs, here is a general guideline as to how it has traditionally been accepted as to who pays for which wedding services:
The Bride Pays For
- Personal stationery
- Wedding ring for groom
- Wedding gift for groom
- Gifts for attendants
- Physical examination
The Groom Pays For
- Bride’s rings
- Honeymoon
- Formalwear and accessories
- Wedding gift for bride
- Bridal bouquet and going-away corsage
- Boutonnieres for all men in wedding party
- Mothers’ corsages
- Physical examination / blood test
- Gifts for best man, ushers
- Gloves, ties or ascots for men in wedding party
- Marriage license
- Lodging for out-of-town attendants
- Fee for clergy or judge
The Bride’s Family Pays For
- Wedding gift for newlyweds
- Entire reception
- Rental of sanctuary or chapel
- Bride’s wedding attire and trousseau
- Invitations, announcements & postage
- Engagement and wedding photographs
- Organist, soloist and sexton fees
- Aisle carpets and/or canopy, and any additional decorating costs
- Bridesmaids’ bouquets
- Flowers for reception
- Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
- Security and insurance gifts
- Wedding coordinator’s fee
- Wedding cake
- Parking costs
- Coat check fees
- Gratuities for bartenders and waiters
The Groom’s Family Pays For
- Traveling expenses and hotel bills
- Wedding clothes
- Rehearsal dinner
- Wedding gift for the newlyweds
- Shipment of wedding gifts to bridal couple’s new home
