Traditional Wedding Expenses of the Groom and His Family

Traditionally, the groom and his family pay for a segment of wedding expenses: usually costs related to the groom's role in the ceremony. Nowadays, wedding expenses can be split in a variety of ways. Effective communication is the key.

Traditionally...

• Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
• Groom's attire
• Ties and gloves for groom’s attendants, if worn and not part of their clothing rental package
• Accommodations for groom's attendants
• Accommodations for groom's parents and siblings
• Bachelor dinner if groom wishes to give one
• All costs of the rehearsal dinner
• Officiant’s fee or donation
• Transportation and lodging expenses for officiant if from out of town and invited to officiate by the groom’s family
• Marriage license fee
• Transportation for groom and best man to ceremony
• Flowers:
  • Bride’s bouquet (only in those regions where it is a local custom for the groom to pay for it)
  • Boutonnieres for groom’s attendants
  • Bride’s going away corsage, if wearing one
  • Corsages for immediate members of both families, unless the bride has included them in her florist's order
• Groom’s gift to his bride
• Groom’s gifts to his attendants
• Expenses of the honeymoon

Nowadays…

Up to 70 percent of weddings are paid for by the couple themselves, or by some combination which may include the couple, the bride’s parents, and the groom’s parents. If the costs are being shared, communication is the key to keeping harmony. Any discussion about money should be both dignified and candid. And, if you are receiving financial help, be willing to compromise on some of your wedding wishes. Your wedding is a special day, but it is only one of many special days in your marriage and life together. Make a realistic budget and stick to it.