Modern society has allowed for more flexibility with some strict marital traditions. One of the most practical of these modified traditions is the distribution of the wedding expenses.
Today, if the bride's family is unable to provide the traditional portion of the wedding expenses, it is not unusual for the groom's family or the couple to assume a larger role in the responsibility of finances. Since the average age of the marrying couple has risen, financial responsibility has shifted from the family to the couples themselves. The proper rationale in deciding who pays for what portion is currently very basic.
Whoever is most willing and able usually assumes the greatest responsibility.
Even with the modification of traditions, the majority of marital financial arrangements is still divided according to tradition and the following is a summary of the traditional division of responsibilities.
Bride
- Personal stationery
- Wedding ring for groom
- Wedding gift for groom
- Gifts for attendants
- Lodging for out-of-town attendants (optional)
- Physical examination
- Bride's rings
- Honeymoon
- Formalwear and accessories
- Wedding gift for bride
- Bridal bouquet and going-away corsage
- Boutonnieres for all men in wedding party
- Mothers' corsages
- Physical examination / blood test
- Gifts for best man, ushers
- Gloves, ties or ascots for men in wedding party
- Marriage license
- Lodging for out-of-town attendants (optional)
- Fee for clergy or judge
- Wedding gift for newlyweds
- Entire reception
- Rental of sanctuary or chapel
- Bride's wedding attire and trousseau
- Invitations, announcements & postage
- Engagement and wedding photographs
- Organist, soloist and sexton fees
- Aisle carpets and/or canopy, and any additional decorating costs
- Bridesmaids' bouquets
- Flowers for reception
- Transportation for bridal party to ceremony and reception
- Security and insurance gifts
- Wedding coordinator's fee
- Wedding cake
- Parking costs
- Coat check fees
- Gratuities for bartenders and waiters
- Traveling expenses and hotel bills
- Wedding clothes
- Rehearsal dinner (optional)
- Wedding gift for the newlyweds
- Shipment of wedding gifts to bridal couple's new home
