Who Pays for the Wedding?

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

1. Personal stationery
2. Wedding ring for groom
3. Wedding gift for groom
4. Gifts for attendants
5. Physical examination

The Groom Pays For

1. Bride’s rings
2. Honeymoon
3. Formalwear and accessories
4. Wedding gift for bride
5. Bridal bouquet and going-away corsage
6. Boutonnieres for all men in wedding party
7. Mothers’ corsages
8. Physical examination / blood test
9. Gifts for best man, ushers
10. Gloves, ties or ascots for men in wedding party
11. Marriage license
12. Lodging for out-of-town attendants
13. Fee for clergy or judge

The Bride’s Family Pays For

1. Wedding gift for newlyweds
2. Entire reception
3. Rental of sanctuary or chapel
4. Bride’s wedding attire and trousseau
5. Invitations, announcements & postage
6. Engagement and wedding photographs
7. Organist, soloist and sexton fees
8. Aisle carpets and/or canopy, and any additional decorating costs
9. Bridesmaids’ bouquets
10. Flowers for reception
11. Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
12. Security and insurance gifts
13. Wedding coordinator’s fee
14. Wedding cake
15. Parking costs
16. Coat check fees
17. Gratuities for bartenders and waiters

The Groom’s Family Pays For

1. Traveling expenses and hotel bills
2. Wedding clothes
3. Rehearsal dinner
4. Wedding gift for the newlyweds
5. Shipment of wedding gifts to bridal couple’s new home

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