Wedding Planning: Splitting the Tab

Wedding Etiquette 101

A traditional breakdown of your big day’s expenses shared by the family and the bridal party

Debra McClinton

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Everyone loves a wedding, and when you’re planning your nuptials, those closest to you are happy to be part of the big occasion. Family and friends participating in the wedding know that it comes with a bit of financial responsibility. Below is a traditional breakdown of expenses shared by the family and the bridal party. However, modern wedding protocol calls for the bride and the groom not to 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.

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)