Who Pays for What?

Traditionally, here´s who pays for what.

Bride and family pay for church, synagogue, sexton, organist, etc.; bride´s dress, veil, accessories, and lingerie; arrangements for church and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls; all wedding photos and video; bridesmaids´ luncheon; shower; all all professional services, including food, drink, decorations, and music; groom´s ring; invitations, announcements, and wedding programs; and transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception.

Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant´s fee; groom´s outfit; bride´s bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers; complete honeymoon; the rehearsal dinner; bachelors´ dinner; and both of the bride´s rings.

That said, no one really goes by those guidelines anymore. Many couples pay for some of the wedding themselves, or figure out the costs and divide it in half, since it´s not fair for one family to carry the bulk of the burden.