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Wedding Expenses - who pays for what

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Following is a list of who has traditionally paid for various wedding expenses. Use this as a guide, but do what is best for your family. Expenses could be paid for all by one family, or by the couple, or evenly split, or traditionally, as follows.

Bride and her family:

  • bridal accessories
  • bridal consultant
  • bridal headpiece
  • bridal veil
  • ceremony site rental
  • flowers for ceremony
  • flowers for the reception
  • gifts for bridesmaids
  • gifts for the groom
  • groom’s wedding ring
  • invitations, announcements, enclosures
  • musicians
  • photographer
  • reception drink
  • reception food
  • reception site rental
  • stationery for thank you notes
  • transportation from ceremony to reception
  • wedding cake
  • Wedding dress

Groom and his family:

  • Boutonnieres for men
  • Bride’s bouquet
  • Brides engagement and wedding rings
  • Corsages for grandmothers
  • Corsages for mothers
  • Formal wear for groom
  • Gift for the bride
  • Honeymoon
  • Marriage license
  • Officiant’s fee
  • Rehearsal dinner


Wedding party:

  • Accessories for that day
  • Gift for the bride or groom
  • Transportation if coming from out of town
  • Wedding attire (dress, formal wear)