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Expenses for your wedding add up quickly. Meet early to discuss and determine realistic budgets and who will be responsible for which expenses so there are no misunderstandings or hard feelings later. The following list indicates the traditional division of expenses.
Normally the bride’s family pays for the largest share of the expenses. With the average age of couples getting married on the rise, financial responsibility has shifted from the parents to the couple themselves. The bride’s parents should have the opportunity to graciously decline offers of financial help. The question of who pays for what normally comes down to who is most willing and able to pay. When you are planning your budget, remember to be courteous, realistic, and communicate with everyone involved.
BRIDE
Wedding ring for the groom.
Wedding gift for the groom.
Gifts for the bridal attendants.
Personal stationery.
Accommodations for her out-of-town attendants (optional).
Attendants’ dresses (optional).
BRIDE’S FAMILY
Engagement party (optional).
Bridal consultant.
Cost of ceremony (location, musicians, rentals, flowers, and decorations).
Entire cost of reception (food, beverage, gratuities, wedding cake, rental fee, rental items, decorations, music, and flowers).
Wedding gift for the couple.
Bride’s wedding attire and accessories.
Bridesmaids’ bouquets.
Flower girl bouquet or basket.
Wedding invitations, save the date cards, announcements, enclosures, and mailing costs.
Wedding programs.
Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and the reception site.
Engagement, wedding, and reception photographs.
Bridesmaids’ luncheon.
Gratuities for those directing traffic, valet parking, and checking coats.
Personal wedding attire.
Rehearsal dinner (optional).
GROOM
Engagement and wedding rings for the bride.
Wedding gift for the bride.
Marriage license.
Gifts for the best man and groomsmen.
Groom’s wedding attire.
Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage.
Mothers’ and grandmothers’ corsages.
Boutonnieres for all men in the wedding party.
Accommodations for his out-of-town attendants (optional).
Groomsmen wedding attire (optional).
Attendants’ gloves, ties, ascots, and vests (optional).
Fee for the ceremony officiant.
Honeymoon.
Bachelor dinner (optional).
GROOM’S FAMILY
Personal wedding attire.
Travel and hotel expenses they incur.
Wedding gift for couple.
Bachelor’s dinner (optional).
Rehearsal dinner.
GUESTS
Traveling expenses.
Wedding gift for the couple.
WEDDING PARTY ATTENDANTS
Wedding attire for themselves.
Any traveling expenses.
Wedding gift for the couple.
Showers given by maid of honor or bridesmaids.
Bachelor party given by best man or groomsmen.
BRIDE AND GROOM
Gifts of appreciation for parents or others who helped with the wedding.
Expenses of items desired which have exceeded the original budget.
Kim M. Horn, MWP
Master Wedding Planner | 1 of 75 in the World
2016 Couples’ Choice Wedding Planner | WeddingWire
Publisher ArizonaBridalSource.com
Sponsor ArizonaBridalShow.com
June 7, 2020 & January 9-10, 2021
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