Wedding Day Traditions: Who Pays?

We've had so many conversations over the years with Brides about traditions and how they feel about them. Of course, some traditions will always stay in today's age, and some will be broken, but we wanted to discuss something we've been asked about often: who pays for what part of a wedding. Keep in mind; there are no rules. Everyone will have their take on traditions and whether they want to follow them, but we wanted to give a bit of detail on who pays for which part of a wedding day, traditionally speaking.

What does the Bride's family pay for?

The wedding dress and accessories are paid for by the Bride and her family. The reason for this was quite normal many, many years ago. Still, it incomprehensible in most parts of today's world: the Bride was essentially sold off as property or chattel to the groom/his family, and the Bride would become a 'financial burden' on the groom in life so the parents of the Bride would, as part of paying a dowry, pay for the wedding dress/the majority of the wedding day in the hopes that the groom would take the Bride.

Other things the Bride/Brides family pay for:

• the groom's ring
• Wedding photography and videography
• The reception and the services used such as food/catering
• All wedding party transportation
• Flowers and decorations
• Wedding stationery invites and wedding programs

What does the groom's family pay for?

Due to how many of these traditions started, the groom's family doesn't shoulder the burden, especially planning-wise. The groom/groom's family will usually pay for the honeymoon, traditionally speaking, of course, as well as the Bride's bouquet, the alcohol and entertainment at the reception, both of the Bride's rings, and the groom's outfit. The groom or his family also usually covered the marriage license and the wedding officiant.

With all that said, we're finding it more and more common for traditions to be changed up with or broken in favor of new ones. These days, you're more likely to find the Bride and groom will just pay for everything together or at least the majority of everything on a wedding day. Ultimately, it's up to each couple and what, if any, traditions they are passionate about carrying forward and how they go about that.

Have you got any traditions you want to stick to, or do you plan on creating your own? Let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear your ideas and opinions!