Etiquette for Wedding Payments

Weddings are expensive events, and costs can be divided between family members.

Modern weddings can be expensive affairs. They typically include at least one bridal shower, a rehearsal dinner, the actual wedding, wedding reception and honeymoon. When you add up the costs for food, flowers, party hosting, clothing, venue rental and other fees, the price tag is serious. Many people follow etiquette rules that divide up some of the payment responsibilities.

Pre-Wedding Events

Engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and bachelor parties typically fall into the pre-wedding events category. According to The Knot, the bride and groom’s families pay for the engagement party, but if there is more than one, the bride’s family pays for the first one. The maid of honor and bridesmaids typically pay for the bachelorette party and bridal shower, while the best man and groomsmen pay for the bachelor party. Many couples also have friends that pay for and host other wedding shower events before the wedding, such as liquor and lingerie couples’ parties.

Rehearsal Dinner

It is the groom and his family’s responsibility to plan and pay for the wedding rehearsal dinner. This includes paying and arranging for all the invitations, the venue rental fees, the food and drinks.

Wedding

The bride and her family are responsible for paying for the wedding arrangements, according to traditional etiquette rules. This includes both the ceremony and reception venue rental fees, invitations, flower decorations, and photography and video services. The bride and her family are also typically responsible for the reception, which includes the cake, food, decorations and music. The bride pays for the bridesmaid bouquets, flower girl corsages and grandmothers’ corsages, while the groom pays for the bridal bouquet, mothers’ corsages and groomsmen boutonnieres, according to Our Marriage.

Honeymoon

The groom and his family usually pay for the honeymoon. This includes transportation, the hotel and all the activities on the honeymoon. The groom usually pays for the limousine service at the end of the reception as well.

Other Expenses

The bride and her family are responsible for paying for her wedding gown and accessories, while the groom and his family must pay for his tuxedo or suit. The attendants, both the bridesmaids and groomsmen, pay for their own dresses, suits or rentals. If there are out-of-town guests, the bride and her family are traditionally responsible for paying for their accommodations.

References

• Wedding Clip Art: Wedding: Who Pays for What?
• Our Marriage: Who Pays for What?
• The Knot: Wedding Budget: Who Pays for What