Who Pays What? Breakdown of Traditional Wedding Payments

In traditional weddings there is a various cost breakdown between the two families. Here is a breakdown of suggested costs and who pays for what in a traditional wedding.

The Bride:

Wedding ring for the groom
Wedding gift for the groom
Presents for the bridal attendants, and flower girl(s)
Personal stationery
Bridesmaids’ luncheon (also includes Maid/Matron of Honor, Flower Girl and Guest Book Attendant)
Accommodations for out-of-town bridal attendants
Physical examination/blood test (if necessary)

The Groom:

The bride’s ring(s)
Wedding gift for the bride
Marriage license
Gifts for the groom attendants (best man, groomsmen, ushers, and ring bearer)
Wedding attire
Flowers: bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage, corsages for mothers, boutonnieres for the groom attendants
Accommodations for out-of-town groom attendants
Physical exam/blood test (if necessary)
Gloves, ties or ascots for groom attendants
Fee for the clergy
The honeymoon
Optional: Casual get-together for groom attendants (if no bachelor party)

Bride’s Family:

Wedding attire (Wedding Dress, Flower girl Dress, ect.)
Reception: food, beverages, wedding cake, gratuities for the bartenders and waiters, decorations, music, flowers, etc.
Wedding gift for the newlyweds
Wedding invitations, announcements, calligraphy, and mailing costs
Bride’s wedding attire/trousseau
Engagement and wedding photography and videography
Ceremony: rental of location, fees for organist, soloist or choir, and sexton, aisle carpet and/or canopy and any other additional costs for flowers and decorations
Personal flowers for attendants, Guest Book attendant, grandparents, etc.
Fees for directing traffic as well as parking costs and coat-check fees
Favors and Accessories
Transportation for bridal party to the wedding ceremony and from ceremony to reception
Wedding Consultant fee
Optional: rehearsal dinner, if the parents of the Groom are not hosting one