Wedding Budget Etiquette - Who Pays for What?

Learn which side of the family is typically responsible for which wedding costs and the tradtional wedding budget etiquette.

Tradition states that the bride’s parents are responsible for fronting the bill for the wedding reception; these days, the bride’s parents, groom’s parents, and the couple themselves all contribute to the wedding pool.  That said, it helps to come to the budgeting table prepped with the traditional list of which side pays for what.  These conventional “rules” can then be adjusted according to your financial situations: 

Wedding Costs Paid by the Bride and/or Bride’s Parents:

• Ceremony rental fee
• Bride’s dress and accessories
• Ceremony flowers and décor
• Bouquets for bridesmaids and flower girl
• Photography and videography
• Engagement party
• Bridesmaids’ luncheon
• All vendor services for reception, including food, beverages, décor, and entertainment
• Groom’s ring
• Invitations and stationery
• Transportation for bridal party to and from ceremony and reception

Wedding Costs Paid by the Groom and/or Groom’s Parents:

• Marriage license and officiant’s fee
• Groom’s attire
• Bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres for ushers, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers
• Honeymoon travel
• Rehearsal dinner
• Bachelors’ dinner
• Both of the bride’s rings

Costs Incurred by the Wedding Attendants:

• Their own attire, including shoes and accessories
• Bridal party hosts bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Groom’s party hosts the bachelor party