When it comes to planning a wedding, there are many expenses that need to be taken into account. Etiquette dictates which side pays for which events and items, and who is responsible for each task related to the wedding. If the mother of the groom and his family and friends do not live near where the bachelorette party will be held, she can organize a shower in honor of her future daughter-in-law. Many brides and grooms show their appreciation for their wedding party by giving them a gift on the wedding day or before the weekend festivities begin.
If there will be a table dedicated to parents at the wedding reception, both sets of parents should sit at that table and the officiant and their spouse, if invited to stay at the reception. It is not mandatory for the bride's family to pay for the engagement party and for the groom's parents to pay the bill for the rehearsal dinner, but it is customary. So even if the groom's parents don't pay for most of the wedding, they still have expenses that can add up quickly. If the couple decides to add any to their ceremony and describe them in the wedding program, the groom's parents should review the description to ensure its accuracy. The groom's parents should ask friends and family members who have recently planned a wedding for recommendations, especially if the wedding will be held in their hometown and the couple doesn't live there. In some cases, parents will offer to cover their traditional expenses or pay for parts of the wedding.
Traditionally, the bride and her family are responsible for paying all wedding planning expenses, the bride's attire, all flower arrangements, transportation on the wedding day, photo and video fees, travel and accommodation for the officiant if coming from out of town, lodging for bridesmaids (if you have offered to help with this expense) and all reception expenses. Nowadays, most people believe that the couple should pay for their own wedding, especially if they have lived alone for some time. A third of parents surveyed in a WeddingWire survey said they spent more on their children's wedding than they had initially budgeted for. Contributions should be negotiated according to will and capacity, but traditionally it is expected that groom's parents will cover certain expenses such as rehearsal dinner costs, lodging costs for out-of-town groomsmen, and any other costs associated with hosting guests from out of town. Some couples may decide to pay for most of the wedding instead of having their parents pay for it.
Starting so early may not be realistic for families with other goals and expenses competing for their salary. So, as you can see, who pays for what can traditionally be done or everything can depend on what the couple and their parents decide they want to do. It is important to remember that no matter who pays what at a wedding, it is ultimately up to each family to decide what works best for them.
