Even though most couples don’t follow the unwritten traditional rules of who pays for what at their wedding, we still have some couples who will like to know what the traditional rules are.
Like every topic, the engaged couples must be able to discuss who is taking what cost, in order to avoid issues when the wedding plan begins.
So, here is a breakdown of who traditionally pays for what in a wedding.
1. Bridal Shower
The maid of honour or the sister, or whoever is organizing the party pays for this, with the support from the other bride’s friends.
2. Invites
The bride’s family handle the invites traditionally, as they are always the team who wants to make a good impression on the guests.
3. Wedding Outfits
Presently, everyone pays for their outfits; but traditionally, the bride’s parent pay t=for the bride’s outfit, and in some culture, the groom is expected to pay for both the bride and the bride’s parents outfits.
4. Rings
The groom is expected to pay for the bride’s rings while the bride pays for the groom’s ring. The essence of this was to show commitment. However, nowadays, the couple pulls resources together to buy their rings.
5. Flowers/Bouquet
The bride’s family pays for all the flower arrangement at the ceremony, and the bridal team bouquet. While the groom and his family pay for his bride’s bouquet, both parents’ bouquets and boutonnieres for his groomsmen.
6. Legalities
The groom is expected to take up every cost associated with the legal wedding. From the officiant fees, marriage license to any other cost incurred on the day.
7. Wedding ceremony
The bride’s family are traditionally expected to host, and as such required to take up EVERY cost concerning the ceremony. The groom only shows up with the requirements of the traditional list sent to him and would not worry about any other detail.
8. Transportation & Accommodation
The bride’s family is expected to handle accommodation for immediate family members and officiants, while the groom’s family will handle accommodation for their immediate members and groomsmen.
And the bride’s family is expected to pay for all wedding transportation cost of both families and that of the officiant.
9. Honeymoon
The groom is expected to handle all honeymoon cost, as a way to show he is able to provide for his family.
Remember that nothing is cast in stone, and you and your spouse must be able to discuss what to do as regards the wedding cost without putting pressure on yourselves, or your extended family members.