By Lei Lydle Founder and Editor Last Updated: 8/10/2004 9:34:54 AM

Although you will find different variations of this list in almost every book or magazine you pick up, I have found that this is the most common and traditional division of wedding expenses.

If you are looking for some new ways to break-up the wedding expenses, read the article entitled "New Options For Wedding Expenses".

Bride

• Wedding ring for the groom.
• Wedding gift for the groom.
• Gifts for the bridal attendants.
• Personal stationery.
• Medical examination and blood test.
• Accommodations for out-of-town attendants.

Groom

• The bride's engagement and wedding rings.
• Wedding gift for the bride.
• Gifts for the best man and ushers.
• Groom's wedding attire.
• Bride's bouquet and going away corsage.
• Boutonnieres for attendants and fathers.
• Medical examination and blood test.
• Marriage license.
• Clergymen's fee.
• Honeymoon expenses.

Bride and Groom Jointly

• Gifts of appreciation for parents or others who helped with the wedding.
• Expenses of items desired which have exceeded original budget allocations.

Bride's Family

• Engagement party.
• Ceremony cost: location, music, rentals, and all related expenses.
• Entire cost of reception: food, beverage, entertainment, rental items, decorations, wedding cake.
• Bride's wedding attire and accessories.
• A wedding gift for the couple.
• Wedding invitations, announcements and mailing costs.
• Bridesmaids' bouquets.
• Bridesmaids' luncheon.
• Photography.
• Personal wedding attire.
• Floral decorations.
• Special items such as ring bearers pillow, toasting goblets, etc.

Groom's Family

• Rehearsal dinner party.
• Personal wedding attire.
• Travel and accommodations for groom's family.
• Wedding gift for the bride and groom.
• Any general expense they wish to contribute.

Attendants

• Wedding attire for themselves.
• Any travel expenses.
• Wedding gift for bride and groom.
• Showers or Bachelor parties.

Comments (4)

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Posted by: Lei Lydle, Editor from on 8/10/2004 9:34:54 AM

PM - Traditionally, the bride's parents pay for the entire reception - including alcohol. Traditionally, the only party the groom's parents pay for is the rehearsal dinner. I keep saying "traditionally" because a lot of people these days only use those traditional rules of etiquette as guidelines and make other arrangements to suit their needs as necessary. Good luck! ~ Lei

Posted by: pm from atlanta, ga on 8/10/2004 2:17:37 AM

i thought alcohol at the reception was the groom's family's expense. Right or Wrong? Wedding Date: 0816

Posted by: groom from on 4/1/2004

To answer the bride's father regarding a reception for the donors to historic landmarks, if the groom is treating the reception like a business opportunity, he should pay accordingly. The real question is how to tactifully raise the issue

Posted by: S Willims from Spokane Washington on 3/23/2004

Good and simple, but I am the brides father. The reception is for 300 guests. There will be 30 people I know. Most of the guest will be people who have donated sum of money to restoration of historic landmarks. The groom is a fund raiser for these landmarks. Who pays for reception? Wedding Date: Late August