Paying for the Wedding: Gray Area!!

With the current economic condition, people do not have a lot of spare change. Traditionally, the bride's family is supposed to deal with all the cost of the wedding. However, traditional lines have been blurred. 75% of couples who get married live together before the wedding. They usually have their own income source. So when it comes to paying for a $20,000 or more wedding, what should be the determining factor in who pays what?

The Knot offers this breakdown.

Ceremony

• Bride and family pay for church or synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.
• Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant's fee.

Clothes

• Bride and family pay for bride's dress, veil, accessories, and trousseau (read: lingerie and honeymoon clothes).
• Groom and family pay for groom's outfit.
• All attendants pay for their own clothing (including shoes).

Flowers

• Bride and family pay for arrangements for church (including huppah if a Jewish wedding ceremony) and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls.
• Groom and family pay for bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers.

Honeymoon

• Groom and family pay for complete honeymoon.

Photography

• Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and video.

Prewedding Parties

• Bride or groom's family plans and hosts engagement party; if there is more than one, bride's family hosts the first one.
• Groom's family plans and hosts the rehearsal dinner.
• Bride plans and hosts bridesmaids' luncheon.
• Groom hosts and plans bachelors' dinner.
• Maid of honor and bridesmaids host shower.
• Best man and ushers host bachelor party.
• Friends may throw additional engagement parties or showers.

Reception

• Bride and family pay for all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music.

Rings

• Bride and/or her family pay for groom's ring.
• Groom and/or his family pay for both of the bride's rings.

Stationery

• Bride and family pay for invitations, announcements, and wedding programs.

Transportation

• Bride and family pay for wedding transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.

This is just a suggestion. In no way does it have to be followed. I wanted to post this to show what was traditional. Money is always a sensitive issue with families. The best advice is to have an honest talk with your significant other, their family, and your family.