Who usually pays for the wedding, the parents of the bride, groom, both or other?
Tradition is it’s the parent’s of the bride who pay for most everything, if it’s a first marriage and the bride is fairly young (like 23 or there about). The groom’s side pays for the men’s clothing, bride’s bouquet, any fees for the wedding ceremony site (not the reception) and the gratuity or fee for the officiant. I can’t remember if they also spring for the rehearsal dinner or not. Weddings are expensive and many people just don’t have the money to throw one, no matter how much they may want to do that for their little girl. It is quite an extravagance. Many couples, especially if they are getting a little older do it all themselves. They opt out of the lavish wedding and reception, in favor of an intimate destination wedding and honeymoon. It’s much more practical and more fun.
I think that the bride and groom should pay for most of it – especially if they have extravagant taste! Both sets of parents should chip in what they can. I certainly dont think that the brides parents should pay for everything – weddings can easily cost $10,000! My partner and I expect to pay for all of ours. Any money we get from our parents would be a bonus. Im not expecting much from his mum – she is dirt poor most of the time and my partner’s dad has been absent his whole life – they’re not in contact. My parents could easily pay for the whole wedding but I dont expect them to and I wouldnt want them to. We’re independant, we can pay for our wedding ourselves…if they want to chip in, that would be up to them.
