Not only does the bride's family take care of the wedding day attire and accessories, but they also cover the bride's wardrobe for all the events leading up to the wedding. This includes the shower, beach party, rehearsal dinner and honeymoon. Traditionally, the bride and her family are responsible for paying all wedding planning expenses, the bride's attire, 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 offered to help with this expense) and all reception expenses. The bride personally pays for her wedding flowers and gifts for her attendees, the groom's ring and a gift for him. Before any planning can begin, there needs to be a budget.
This is a responsibility that the mother of the bride traditionally helps with, whether she pays everything, contributes a fixed amount or has her daughter and her future spouse pay the bills. Additionally, it is customary for the bride's parents to send (and pay for) engagement announcements to local newspapers. The groom's family is responsible for corsages and boudonnieres for immediate members of both families, accommodation of the groom's assistants (if offered to help pay for this expense) and sometimes costs of the rehearsal dinner. The mother of the bride may also be present while her daughter gets ready on the wedding morning. She may also help with selecting wedding gifts to have at the reception.
Other responsibilities include helping with organizing weddings, bachelorette party and costs of receiving the ceremony (music, gifts to guests, rentals etc.). The groom is expected to pay for the marriage license and officiant fees, buy his partner's bouquet as well as his engagement and wedding rings and a gift; he should also buy boutonnieres and gifts for his groomsmen. The mother of the bride is responsible for many expenses from invitations and stationery (with exception of rehearsal dinner invitations) to accommodations for bridesmaids. She also plays a role in developing the wedding and must participate in rehearsals and dinners that follow. Contributions should be negotiated according to will and capacity but traditional divisions will provide more guidance on who pays what at a wedding.
While it is traditional for the bride's family to pay most of the bill, modern couples may choose to spend their own savings on their special day. LGBTQ couples in the United States usually pay for their own weddings entirely out of pocket.
