Who Pays for Which Wedding Expenses

Who Pays for Which Wedding Expenses

With a temple wedding, many expenses can be passed over. Like alcohol at the reception or a venue. I would always recommend a temple wedding, even if it means no trip to San Diego. 

Traditionally these expenses get split a little differently than this list, however given our family's financial situation here's how the expenses were split when I got married.  You can use these as a guide and then make your own adjustments.

Bride's Family		Groom's Family
Invitations sent to her people		Invitations sent to his people and all postage
Wedding dress and accessories		Tux rental (JC Penny's has ones you can buy now)
Bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets		Corsages or Boutonnières
Photographer (super important!!)		Luncheon (happened in Utah)
Reception (happened in Washington) Decorations Appetizers Drinks Plates and silverware		Open House (happened in Boise) Food Decorations Location rental Plates and silverware
The cake		The marriage license
His ring*		Her ring*
Transportation and lodging for her family	Transportation and lodging for his family
	The honeymoon (we went to France)

*My hubby and I put our wedding rings on a payment plan and then paid them off while married.

Bridesmaids	Groomsmen
Dresses and accessories	Tux and tie
Wedding gift for the couple	Wedding gift for the couple
Transportation and lodging for self	Transportation and lodging for self
Bridal shower	Bachelor party

The best way to plan is to begin with your fixed costs, invitations and rings, subtract that total from your available funds and see what amount you have to work with.  Then you can budget the dress and the reception.  Also, make a list of people you're going to invite before you order the invitations (we didn't -- whoops!)