Planning a Wedding, Who Pays for What?

There are so many decisions when planning a wedding, but one of the first decisions you’ll make can also be the most awkward — who pays for the wedding? Worry not! This list will help you through the daunting budget planning phase so you can get back to pinning dreamy floral arrangements and stunning table scapes on Pinterest.

Of course, you should divvy up wedding expenses in whatever way works best for everyone’s financial situations. That being said, here’s a break down of who traditionally pays for what, which can be a really great place to start.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

Let’s start with the wedding ceremony and reception. Traditionally, the bride’s family is the host of the wedding celebration. That means they pay for the majority of these expenses, which include:

• The wedding planner, if you choose to use one
• Invitations
• Venue
• Music
• Food, including the wedding cake
• Guest favors
• Floral arrangements for the ceremony, reception, bridesmaids, and flower girls
• Photography and video expenses
• Any rentals

There are a few items that the groom’s family traditionally helps with, these include:

• Officiant’s fee
• Wedding license
• Bride’s bouquet and any boutonnieres

Who Pays for the Wedding Attire

The wedding attire is split more evenly, depending on the cost of the wedding dress. Here are the expenses the bride’s family traditionally pays for:

• Wedding dress and all beauty treatments like hair and make-up
• Bridesmaids’ dresses. Traditionally, members of the bridal party pay for their own dresses, but it’s also common for the bride’s family to cover this cost.
• Bridesmaids’ gifts
• Groom’s wedding ring

The groom’s family traditionally pays for:

• The groom’s tux
• Groomsmen attire and gifts
• The bride’s engagement ring and wedding band

The Rehearsal Dinner and More

Your special day is not actually limited to one day. Here’s a list of the other parties that may go along with your engagement and who traditionally pays for them:

• The bride’s family pays for, and hosts, an engagement party.
• The bridal shower is traditionally the responsibly of the bride’s family or a close friend.
• The groom’s family is responsible for the rehearsal dinner, which can be anything from a casual dinner to an all out party.
• As the head of the new household, the groom typically pays for the honeymoon.

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