American wedding traditions: who pays for what
'06.01.2022'
Source: Brides.com
This question can be a real stumbling block for families who are going to organize a wonderful and memorable holiday for their children. Portal Brides.com talks about how best to distribute financial obligations at a traditional American wedding.
It should immediately be said that there are no official rules governing the financial responsibility of the bride and groom. Traditionally, the bride's family incurs more expenses, but last year's survey showed that modern couples more often spend money together on the wedding of their dreams - 73% of grooms and brides pay for weddings themselves, not putting everything on parents. It is very desirable to discuss the costs first of all to families, gathered together in a friendly atmosphere. But if your parents want to adhere to traditions, there are some very clear distinctions. Experts on etiquette tell who pays for what in accordance with the traditional customs of the American wedding.
Wedding dress and groom's suit
Despite the fact that today it is rarely so, half a century ago, the bride’s family paid a lot of expenses: a wedding dress and shoes, accessories and cosmetic procedures, including hair styling and professional makeup. You can let your beloved grandmother buy a beautiful veil. Most likely, you will want to pay for your outfit yourself - and this is completely normal. The suit of the groom is paid by his family or himself.
Wedding Planner
This is quite a serious part of the expenses, relating, as a rule, to the family of the bride and to herself. Pay attention to such modern trends as online planners and mobile applications: it is quite possible that you will want to prepare for the wedding yourself and plan everything without the intervention of outsiders.
Wedding and Wedding Rings
Historically, an American wedding implies that the groom acquires himself as an engagement ring when he offers the bride to the future, as well as a wedding ring that he puts on the bride's finger at the ceremony. The bride pays for the wedding ring on her own.
Ceremony and parties
By tradition, the bride and / or her family pay the cost of the ceremony and parties, including music for both occasions, as well as rent and services for guests. The groom and / or his family should take care of the marriage certificate and tips to attendants. The wedding dinner rehearsal is paid for by the groom's family — a place, food, drinks, decorations, entertainment, and invitations. The bride's family pays for a bachelorette party, and the groom's family pays for a bachelor party. In both these cases, the bride and groom themselves, as a rule, do not participate in payment, but nowadays you can easily take the costs or part of them. Brides' gifts to her bridesmaids and fiancés are usually paid by her herself, as well as gifts from the fiancé to her witness and bride.
Invitations and decorations
Invitations and all related stationery, with the exception of invitations to rehearse a wedding dinner, are usually paid for by the bride or her family. Fortunately, hashtags and messages on the Internet are still free. In most cases, the decorations become the care of the bride and / or her family — decorations for the ceremony, reception, bridesmaids and other wedding helpers. The groom and / or his family take over the purchase of the bridal bouquet, as well as boutonnieres and other decorations for family members. If you do not want flowers, or you are allergic, you can do without them.
Transportation / Accommodation
The groom and his family will cover the cost of housing and transportation if he and the bride are holding a wedding far from home. The bride and her family provide housing for all bridesmaids and their transportation services. The groom and his family do the same for the groom's friends and family. If you decide to organize a large bus to transport family members and guests, you can pay for it together.
Photo and video shooting
As a rule, this part of the expenses is borne by the bride and / or her family, but you can always negotiate with your families if there are professional photographers in the family of the groom or among his friends or he just wants to take over the payment for such services.
Honeymoon
Traditionally, the honeymoon is planned by the groom and / or his family, but nowadays some couples organize a “honeymoon fund” at the reception, where all guests can leave a certain amount of money. In this case, after the rest, it is necessary to thank those who took financial part in it.
