Wedding etiquette often revolves around financial matters. In the past, the bride's family was typically responsible for most of the wedding expenses. The groom's family was usually only responsible for the rehearsal dinner, while the groom himself was expected to pay for the honeymoon, the bride's rings, and other small costs. Traditionally, the bride's family was responsible for the wedding reception (including the venue, food, and drinks), while the groom paid for the honeymoon.
From invitations and stationery (with the exception of rehearsal dinner invitations) to accommodations for bridesmaids, there are many wedding expenses that were once expected of the bride's family. The groom was expected to pay for the marriage license and officiant fees, as well as buy his partner's bouquet, engagement and wedding rings, and a gift. He should also purchase boutonnieres and gifts for his groomsmen. Today, couples are more likely to have their own careers and incomes, so they often choose to bear all of the wedding expenses themselves.
However, it is still common for parents (or the parents of your future spouse) to offer to pay for part or all of the wedding. It is also not uncommon for both families to contribute financially or even split all costs evenly between them. Destination weddings were once expected to be paid for by the bride's family, but now it is more common for couples to pay for them themselves or share costs with their parents. Having a practical understanding of who is traditionally expected to pay for each aspect of a wedding will help everyone involved come to an agreement on how to handle wedding expenses.
