When it comes to weddings, tradition dictates that the bride's family should bear the majority of the expenses. This includes the wedding dress, bridesmaid gifts, wedding planner or coordinator, invitations, flowers, reception, photography, and transportation for the wedding party. The bride's parents are also responsible for hosting the wedding party and hiring a photographer or videographer. If their budget is tight, they can book blocks of hotel rooms instead.
Additionally, they should cover the costs of stationery (except for rehearsal dinner invitations) and accommodations for bridesmaids. Nowadays, couples often share the costs with their parents or pay for the wedding themselves. If they have the capacity to do so, they should consider contributing their own money to pay for their wedding. This collaborative approach makes the planning process more inclusive and economical.
It is also important to remember that this traditional method of hosting makes the bride's parents the de facto hosts of the event. The bride is only expected to pay for her partner's wedding ring and gifts for her bridesmaids. This is why her family usually gets a special spot at the top of a classically composed wedding invitation. Although this rarely applies today, it is interesting to look at all the costs that were once expected of the bride's family.
