When it comes to planning a wedding, one of the most important questions to answer is who pays for the wedding dress? Traditionally, it has been the bride's family that covers much of the wedding expenses, from the dress to the ceremony. But in today's modern world, there are many different ways to approach this question. In this article, we'll explore who traditionally pays for the wedding dress and other associated costs, as well as how modern couples are approaching these expenses. We'll also provide a comprehensive guide to help you plan your wedding budget and decide who pays for what. Often, the bride's mother helps her pay for her dress and accessories.
The groom must bear any costs associated with his suit. When planning for these costs, remember to include shoes, jewelry, and a veil if you plan to wear one.
Here are some items of your wedding budget that traditionally cover the bride's family:
- Wedding planning expenses
- The bride's attire
- All flower arrangements
- Transportation on the day of the wedding
- Photo and video fees
- Travel and accommodation of the officiant if coming from out of town
- The lodging of the bridesmaids (if you have offered to help with this expense)
- All the expenses of the reception
The groom's family may contribute to some of these expenses as well. For example, they may pay for the wedding venue, vendors, and some products and services related to the day. Wedding invitations and associated stationery (except invitations to the rehearsal dinner) should be taken into account in bridesmaids' accommodation arrangements. The bridal look includes the dress, necessary accessories, and couple's hairstyle and makeup.
You or your grandmother may be footing the bill for your dress these days. The bride's family pays for the reception, wedding planner, and bride's bachelorette party. Although traditionally it is expected that the bride's parents will pay for the engagement party, any member of the family or friend can organize this event. Honeymoons were traditionally planned and paid for by the groom and his family. But nowadays, couples often plan their own honeymoon or split the costs between them. If budget allows, it is also common for brides to repay their bridesmaids' dresses as a gift. The groom pays for his own wedding attire (whether bought or rented), although it is not uncommon for his family to contribute to this expense.
Ultimately, how you decide who pays for what is up to you, your partner, and your families. We've included a wedding budget calculator to help you know how much money you'll need for various expenses related to your celebration. When it comes to a special day like a wedding, Vogue Ballroom has proven to be an iconic venue and event center in Melbourne with a highly valued track record. Before you can figure out how much you can pay for your big day (and use WeddingWire's free budget tool to stay organized), you'll need to decide who pays for what. While it is not mandatory for either side of the family to pay certain expenses such as engagement parties or rehearsal dinners, having a practical knowledge of what a wedding bill usually looks like will help everyone resolve this complicated matter. Although these traditions aren't necessary at weddings today, it is interesting to understand what was previously expected of each side of the family. Being realistic from the start of wedding planning is also important in order to stay on top of your budget and avoid overspending (or going into debt) for your big day.
