Wedding Budget: Who Pays for What

Nowadays weddings are paid for in a variety of ways -- mom and dad, bride and groom. While there isn't a right way or a wrong way, here is what tradition says.
Bride and Groom
  • Gifts for your parents
  • Other items that aren't covered in the budget
Bride
  • Groom's wedding ring
  • A wedding gift for the groom
  • Gifts for bridal attendants
Groom
  • Bride's engagement and wedding rings
  • Gift for bride
  • Marriage license
  • Officiant's fee
  • Bride's bouquet
  • Mothers' corsages
  • Boutonnieres for attendants and fathers
  • Honeymoon expenses
  • Gifts for groom's attendants
  • His attire
Bride's Family
  • Ceremony costs
  • Entire reception cost (food, beverages, entertainment, rental items, decorations, and wedding cake)
  • Bride's wedding attire and accessories
  • A wedding gift for the couple
  • Invitation and announcements
  • Bridesmaids' bouquets
  • Transportation for the bridal party from home, to bride's home, to the site ceremony
  • Photography
  • Personal wedding attire
  • Floral decorations
Groom's Family
  • Rehearsal dinner party
  • Personal wedding attire
  • Travel and accommodations for groom's family
  • Wedding gift for the bride and groom
  • Special items they may wish to purchase: toasting goblets, ring pillow, etc.
  • Any general expense they may wish to contribute
Attendants
  • Their own attire
  • Travel expenses for themselves
  • Wedding gift for the bride and groom
  • A bridal shower thrown by maid of honor and bridesmaids
  • Groomsmen host the bachelor party

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