Wedding etiquette for who pays for what
As you start planning you special day and adding
up all the costs, you may begin to wonder who is going to be able
to pay for all that? Well, rest assured that unless you absolutely
have to do things on your own, wedding etiquette for who pays for
what divides the responsibilities among both the couple and their
families if all are willing.
The bride’s family is usually responsible
for the wedding ceremony itself according to traditional wedding
etiquette for who pays for what. This would include the items and
activities that take place during the ceremony.
The bridal gown, flowers, reception, invitations,
announcements, favors, pictures, limo, and venue fees all fall to
the bride’s parents. They should also cover their own expenses
such as travel, clothing, and lodging if needed.
Wedding etiquette for who pays for what leaves
other things up to the groom’s family. Traditionally, they
will take care of the expenses for the rehearsal dinner, which includes
the invitations, venue fees for the dinner, flowers, entertainment,
and a wedding gift for the new couple.
The only thing they cover for the reception is
the groom’s cake if there is one. The bride and groom don’t
get off totally free. They too have expenses according to wedding
etiquette for who pays what.
The bride, of course, pays for her new husband’s wedding
ring if he is going to wear one. Most of the time, she will pick
a band that closely matches her wedding set. She also buys a gift
for the groom and her attendants.
If she has her hair professionally arranged, she
covers that expense along with any skin treatments or other beauty
consultations. If she has attendants from out-of-town that need
help with lodging, it is appropriate for her to help that expense,
although they pay for their own travel expenses.
If the bride decides to have a bridesmaid luncheon,
she should cover that cost. The groom should pay for the bride’s
wedding set and a gift for her. He traditionally pays for the marriage
license and honeymoon if it sticks to wedding etiquette for who
pays for what.
Other incidentals that the groom is responsible
for include the bride’s bouquet, gifts and boutonnières
for his attendants, corsages for the grandmothers and mothers, and
whatever fee is due to the person officiating the ceremony, as well
as his own attire.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen are responsible for
their wedding clothing. They should pay for their own travel. The
bridesmaids would buy a gift for the bride and host a shower and
bacherlorette party at their expense. The groomsmen, likewise, would
buy the groom a gift and pay for his bachelor party.
In this ever non-traditional world, however, many
times the roles are reversed or re-divided depending on individual
needs. The couple may decide to cover all costs for themselves.
They can also ask the parents to contribute a
portion up to a third of the total costs without breaking etiquette
rules for who pays for what. They should expect the parents to invite
a third of the guests, however, if they decide to divide the costs
in this manner.
Whichever way you decide to have the costs paid,
you should try to make your wedding budget reasonable so that you
don’t start your marriage in debt. If you want an elaborate
wedding that doesn’t fit in your budget, you should save or
try to find economical substitutions that will look just as nice.
You should never expect the two sets of parents
to spend extravagantly if they can’t afford that even if it
is your special day. Follow the plan of etiquette that best fits
for who can pay for what in your wedding.
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