Monetary Responsibilities

For many families it's no longer financially feasible for the bride's family to pay all the bills. So who pays for the wedding? Today, the couple often contributes all or a great deal toward the wedding costs. More often than not, the groom's family offers to pick up some of the expenses as well. Sometimes aunts, uncles, and grandparents offer their own financial assistance. As a starting point, here is the traditional breakdown of monetary responsibilities:

Groom

• Her ring and gift
• The marriage license
• going away flowers
• Corsages for both mothers
• Boutonnieres for male members of the wedding party
• Gifts for your attendants
• Accommodations for your attendants from out of town
• Your physical exam/medical test
• Fee for the wedding officiant
• The honeymoon In some areas of the country , it's also traditional for you to pay for:

• Rental of gloves, ascots, and ties for your attendants
• Alcoholic beverages on the wedding day
  Bride
• Your ring and gift
• Her personal stationery
• Bridesmaid's luncheon
• Bridesmaid's gifts
• Accommodations for her attendants from out of town
• Her physical examination and medical tests

Bride's Parents

• Ceremony site rental
• Reception site rental
• Food/catering
• Flowers
• Bridesmaid's bouquets
• Aisle carpet
• Cake
• Beverages
• Decorations
• Photographer
• Bride's attire and trousseau
• Musicians
• Canopy
• Security
• Wedding invitations and announcements-including postage and other fees .Tips for bartenders, waitresses, and waiters
• Transportation of bridal party from bride's home to ceremony and reception
• Their own clothes
• Gift to the bride and groom

Groom's Parents

• Host the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding
• Their lodging and travel expenses
• Gift to the bride and groom
• Their own wedding clothes
• In most cases, they're welcome to assume additional expenses if they wish to do so.
• Male and Female. Their wedding clothes and travel expenses

Attendants

• Their gifts to the Bride and Groom

Although a wedding funded by a combination of people allows you to have a nicer celebration, you may find yourself with too many people trying to run the show. There are three important rules to remember about wedding planning and financial contributions

• Paying all, or even the largest portion of the expenses does not automatically give that person total control of everything that happens that day. The things that you and your bride prefer take precedence. The bride's family are the traditional hosts of the wedding celebration, no matter how much they contribute financially. That position of honor should not be denied them, and their input should be valued.
• No one should be expected to give more than they can afford. If the bride's parents can't pay for the wedding you want to have, then either pay for it yourselves or change your plans. The whole money issue should be
  , handled with sensitivity; the poor shouldn't be shunted aside and told they have no input.
• You owe gratitude to anyone who contributes to the wedding, as well as the courtesy of listening to their ideas. You don't have to act on them if you don't wish too, but be sure that's clearly understood if you accept their financial assistance. Don't offer the impression that you'll be doing what they suggested-then surprise them with something else. If you disagree, explain your reasons, and make sure they can accept your decisions. Take a firm stand on what's important, although it wouldn't hurt to compromise on minor points.