How to Share Wedding Expenses

A wedding can be one of the most expensive events that a couple experiences together. Deciding how to share the wedding expenses among the engaged couple and their families doesn't have to be a stressful situation, and sharing the expenses is a way to begin your marriage in a financially responsible way. Read on to learn how to share wedding expenses.

Instructions

1. Schedule a time to talk with each other and your families. You need to know how much you can personally contribute to the wedding and how much your partner can contribute. Depending on your age, you may be expected to pay for all or most of your wedding. The engaged couple must talk with their families to find out if the family can contribute to the wedding and the amount they can contribute.

2. Set a budget. You need to have a budget to work with before you start discussing who is going to pay for what. Your must plan your wedding to fit the budget that is available. Some families have a set amount that they can contribute where other families have expendable income for the event.

3. Find out who wants to be responsible for specific expenses. The groom may want to pay for the honeymoon while his parents might want to pay for the wedding. You need to honor requests for specific items without turning over control of the wedding plans.

4. Use etiquette guides. Traditionally the bride and her family pay for the majority of the wedding. However, etiquette guides offer a guideline for financial responsibility that is split between the bride, the groom, their families and the wedding attendants. The major wedding expenses that the groom and his family should pay for are the bride's engagement ring and wedding ring, the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon. The wedding party should plan to pay for their transportation to and from their home town to the wedding, their wedding attire and parties for the bride and groom if so desired. You can find etiquette guides online at Online Weddings.

5. Know your wedding party's expectations. While a wedding should be planned according to the wants of the bride of the groom, you need to consider other people's expectations. If your wedding party is paying for their own wedding attire, you need to be respectful of how much each person is able to spend. You need to be careful not to alienate the people involved by selecting expenses that disregard the budget.

Resources

• Online Weddings for More Tips