Wedding Etiquette - Who Pays for What

A wedding is one of the most important events in a person's life. So, making a big deal out of it and celebrating it in a unique way is what everyone wants. However, a lavish wedding can cost the couple and their families, a huge amount of money. So it only makes sense to properly plan and decide who should be paying for what.

Gone are the days when the entire wedding was the burden of just the parents of the bride or groom. Today, wedding expenses are split four ways: the bride, groom, bride's family and groom's family. It is a more practical approach to the whole wedding 'affair', and in the end benefits all four parties.

Note: Given below is a generally accepted idea of who pays for what at a wedding.

• Groom's wedding ring
• Gifts for the bridesmaids and the groom
• Accommodation of outstation guests
• Her hair and makeup person
• The 'going-away' dress
• Her medical test
• Gifts for attendants

• Bride's wedding ring
• Medical test
• Best man and usher suits (buy or rent)
• Venue of the wedding night
• Transport for himself and his best man
• The fees for the ceremony
• Gifts for the bride, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, ushers, attendants, ring bearers, flower girl, etc.

• The Honeymoon
• Accessories for the attendants
• The fees of the person officiating the ceremony
• The bride's flowers
• Boutonnières for the best man and the groomsmen
• Corsages for the bridesmaids, and other women in the wedding party
• His suit
• The marriage license

• The reception party
• The wedding invites
• The floral arrangements at the wedding
• The wedding dress
• The outfits of the bridesmaids

• Photographer
• Transport for the bride's family
• The wedding cake
• Music or entertainment at the wedding
• The caterers
• Wedding decorations
• Their own attire
• Wedding present
• Accommodation for family (if necessary)
• Gratuities

• The rehearsal dinner
• Their own outfits
• Wedding presents

Being straightforward about the expenses to be taken care of during a wedding is the approach. The division of costs given above is totally subjective, and can vary based on your preference.