Popping out the big question generally means the popping out of other questions as well – like, who pays for what dear? Traditionally, the bride’s family will have to pay for the bulk of the expenses. However, things have changed over the last 5 decades or so. Everything could be split into 2, or more could be shouldered by the groom and his family. This means lifting up a bit of the financial burden on the bride’s family, especially now that the times somehow harsh.
THE TRADITIONAL SCENARIO:
Bride’s Family
- Reception costs: food, music, decorations, rental fees and entertainment
- Ceremony Costs
- Flowers for wedding Ceremony and Reception
- The bride’s wedding dress and accessories
- Invitations, announcements, programs, and mailing costs
- Favors
- Photography
- Transportation their own attire and travel expenses
Groom’s Family
- The rehearsal dinner, including food, invitations, decorations and entertainment
- Their own attire and travel expenses
- A wedding present
The Bride
- The groom’s wedding ring
- A wedding gift for the groom
- Her hair, makeup, beauty treatments
- Gifts for her attendants
- Accommodation for any out-of-town bridesmaid
The Groom
- The marriage license
- The bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring
- The honeymoon
- A wedding gift for the bride
- The bride’s bouquet
- Gifts for his attendants
- Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers
- Boutonnières for men in the wedding party
- Accommodation for any out-of-town groomsmen F
- Fee for the officiant
Other Expenditures
- Bachelor Party - Best Man/Groom’s Attendants
- Wedding attire for best man/groomsmen/ringbearer – themselves
- Gift for the bride and groom – wedding attendants and guests
- Bridal shower – bridal attendants
- Travel expensese to the wedding – out-of-town attendant or family member
Things have changed over the years as mentioned above. If the parents of both parties don’t have enough resources and the couple are of the right age (most especially now that the bride and groom nowadays are older) and in stable jobs, they can do away with their respective families spending for their wedding.
For the tipping, the newlywed can split the expenses. Someone will pay for the wedding caterer while the other one will pay the hostess, photographers, etc. But this is only done is the service done is extra nice, if they have gone out of their way and have been extremely nice to the couple on their wedding day.
You wouldn’t tip the limo driver who drove along bumps while you were trying to have your lipstick retouched, right? Still, this is an accustomed tradition. Before you do any tipping, be sure it is not yet included in the bill. For the ceremony officials, $100 is the norm gratuity. If they have to cover a distance to get to your wedding, an extra fee will be appreaciated.
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