The Wedding, here is a traditional breakdown of expenses shared by the family and the bridal party. However, given modern wedding protocol, the bride and the groom need not be so hung up on who should pay for what. Consider the personal and financial situations of your family, friends, and bridal party. You may want to pick up some of the costs, such as paying for the bridesmaids’ shoes if you want to be sure they all wear the same kitten heels, or hosting the engagement party if you want it larger than what the groom’s parents can afford.
The Wedding – think about who can pay for what
The Wedding – think about who can pay for what
Bride
Couple’s personal stationery and thank-you notes
Wedding programs and guest book
Gifts for bridesmaids and flower girl
Lodging for bridesmaids
Groom
Bride’s engagement ring
Marriage license
Officiant’s fee
Rental or purchase of his formal wear
Gifts for the groomsmen and ring bearer
Lodging for groomsmen
Bride and Groom
The wedding bands
The honeymoon (in traditional families, this is still considered the groom’s expense)
Bride’s Family
Engagement and wedding pictures
Wedding invitations
Wedding planner
Bridal attire
Ceremony fees (including rental of synagogue or chapel, chuppah, aisle carpets, and other decorating items)
Flowers (arrangements for ceremony and reception, as well as all bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres)
Reception (site fees, caterer, food, bar, gratuities, decorations)
Music (ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception)
Bridesmaids’ luncheon
Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
Groom’s Family
Rehearsal dinner (or any other expense they elect, such as all beverage and liquor service, limousines, music for the reception, or photography and/or videography)
Bridesmaids
Bridal shower
Bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes
Bachelorette party
Any traveling expenses
Groomsmen
Bachelor party
Rental of formal wear
Any traveling expenses
Flower Girl’s and Ring Bearer’s Parents
Attire for flower girl and ring bearer
Guests
Traveling and lodging expenses (even if you’re having a destination wedding, guests pay their own way)
