Wedding Responsibilities – Who Pays for What?

Wedding budgets are always a challenge when it comes to planning your wedding reception. One of the most asked questions is who pays for what when it comes to the wedding. We’ve put together a chart to help you figure out who is traditionally responsible for each part of the wedding costs. This chart is by no means a hard and fast rule, but a guide. What it really comes down to is the finances of each of the parties and who is involved. These days, many brides and grooms are financially able to pay for their entire wedding and need little help from their parents or, both families agree to split the cost of the wedding equally. If one family is better off than the other, that family may choose to take on the lion’s share of the cost.

Bride’s Parents (Family):

• The engagement photos, wedding photos and videography
• The engagement party
• The wedding invitations, announcements and associated mailing expenses
• The bride’s wedding wedding dress and accessories
• Ceremony site fees
• Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
• All costs associated with the wedding reception, such as meals, bar, cake cutting, music, decorations etc.
• Bouquets for the bridesmaids and flower girl
• Their wedding gift to the couple

Groom's Parents (Family):

• The rehearsal dinner
• Their travel costs and lodging, if applicable
• Their wedding gift to the couple

The Bride:

• Her wedding gift to the groom
• The groom's wedding band
• Hair and make up
• Accomodations for out of town attendants
• Gifts for her bridesmaids and flower girl
• Thank you notes and personal stationary
• Wedding guest book, cake knife, ring bearer pillow and any other accessories

Other Costs for the Bride or her Family

• Wedding planning or wedding consultant services
• Boutonnieres for the fathers and grandfathers
• Thank you luncheon or tea for bridesmaids(optional)

The Groom:

• The Bride's engagement ring and wedding band
• The honeymoon vacation
• His wedding gift to the bride
• His wedding outfit and accessories
• The marriage license, other legal fees and the officiant's fee
• The Bride's bouquet
• Corsages for the mothers, grandmothers and any other honoured female guests
• Boutonnieres for his groomsmen, ushers and himself
• Accomodations for his out of town attendants

The Bride's Attendants:

• Their gift to the couple
• Their wedding outfit and accessories (dress, shoes etc.)
• A shower for the bride
• Any travel expenses

The Groom's Attendants:

• Their gift to the couple
• Their wedding outfit and accessories (tuxedo rental)
• Any travel expenses
• The bachelor party

Out of Town Guests:

• Their transportation and accomodations to the wedding
• A wedding gift for the couple