When setting your wedding budget, start by asking what
amount, if any, your parents are willing to contribute. They may
wish to cover some, if not all, of the services and items on your
list. Modern tradition still observes the following financial
allocations:
Traditional expenses of groom and/or groom’s parents
The groom’s parents (and/or
groom) are responsible for the cost of the bride’s and bridesmaids’
bouquets, all corsages for the ladies and boutonnieres for the
gentlemen. The groom bears the expense of the marriage license and
officiant’s fee, but not the church or ceremony location charges.
The groom or his parents pay for expenses associated with
transportation of the bride and groom to the ceremony and
reception, and transportation to the wedding night room.
The entire cost of the honeymoon and the bride’s ring is
the responsibility of the groom and/or groom’s parents, as well as
any gifts given to the bride. Accommodations for the groomsmen,
whether arriving from out-of-town, or if a destination wedding is
planned, are also the responsibility of the groom. The groom pays
the cost of rental or purchase of his
tuxedo.
Always an optional expense for the groom’s family, it is
commonly expected that the groom’s parents are financially
responsible for the rehearsal dinner. Depending on circumstances,
the groom and groom’s parents can also offer assistance for a
next-day brunch, or they can choose to pay for particular wedding
items, such as the photography, champagne or cake.
Traditional expenses of the bride’s family
The bride’s family is responsible for all other expenses,
which include the engagement party and the rehearsal dinner (if the
groom’s parents do not pay). They will cover the entire cost of the
reception, including the site rental, catering fees, beverages,
wedding cake, all other flowers and decorations for the site. The
bride’s dress, invitations, music for the ceremony and reception,
cost of the church or ceremony site, photography and/or
videography, wedding coordinator, party favors, guest
transportation (if needed), and a trousseau for the bride also come
under the responsibility of the bride’s family. They are also
responsible for the cost of rooms for the bridesmaids at
destination weddings, or for the rooms of women in the bridal party
who are arriving from out-of-town.
Of course, times have changed and many brides are
professional women who, along with their groom, contribute
considerably to the expenses of the wedding. Some are capable of
and desire to pay for their own weddings, splitting costs with
their future spouse.
Other expenses
Bridesmaids are responsible for the cost of their dresses,
any alterations and accessories. They also pay
for shower and wedding gifts, as well as the expense of hosting or
co-hosting the bridal shower(s) and bachelorette party.
Groomsmen are responsible for renting their tuxedos, any
alterations and accessories. They also pay for
wedding gifts, and hosting or co-hosting a bachelor (or coed
bachelor/ bachelorette) party.
Discuss the budget of your wedding up front with everyone
who might participate in covering the expenses. Doing so will help
you make the most of a realistic budget so you can have the touches
you feel are important to your celebration of marriage.
“Stress Free, Leave the Details to Me,” is the tried and true philosophy of Robbin Montero, California Wine Country wedding planning expert and owner of A Dream Wedding. Robbin is the premier wedding planner in the Northern California Wine Country, transforming any vision into the perfectly designed wedding creation. Robbin and her weddings have been featured in The Knot, Brides, Elite Magazine, Your Wedding Day and Vine Napa/Sonoma magazines, and ImportantOccasions.com. Travel & Leisure magazine calls Robbin, “The expert wedding planner in the California Wine Country.” www.a-dreamwedding.com
©2009 Robbin Montero
707-579-5886
This article cannot be reprinted without Robbin Montero’s expressed written permission.
