Wedding Budget and Who Pays

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Though you might be planning the happiest day of your life, sometimes negotiating the budget can be less than joyful.  There are so many options these days regarding the breakdown of finances for a wedding, and there is no right or wrong way to go about doing it.  We are here to help you understand the traditional roles of payment, as well as interpret the modern forms of planning that are much more flexible.  

Modern

There are a multitude of different family circumstances these days, leaving the bride and groom with quite a few options.
  • The bride and groom may choose to pay for the wedding costs themselves.
  • The bride and groom may pay for a majority of the costs themselves, with family members contributing towards the factors that they would like to help with (ex: transportation, flowers, etc.) 
  • The two families may offer to contribute a certain amount towards the wedding, with the bride and groom deciding how that money will be spent.

Traditional

Though society has evolved to respect a fair and equal sharing of responsibilities between partners, wedding traditions are still treasured.  It has been customary for the bride's family to pay for most (if not all) of the wedding costs, though there are still traditional wedding components that the bride and groom can pay for together.  

Bride's Family

Bridesmaid Dresses

Cost of Ceremony

Entertainment

Flowers

Invitations

Photography

Reception Food and Drink

Reception Hall

Transportation

Wedding Accessories

Wedding Cakes

Wedding Dress

Wedding Favours

Wedding Shoes

Bride and Groom

Gifts for Bridesmaids

Gifts for Groomsmen

Honeymoon Plans

Wedding Travel Expenses

Groom's Family

Engagement Ring

Groomsmen Attire

Marriage License

Mother's Corsages

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Rings

Related Guides 

We are here to help you plan every aspect of your wedding! 

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