Who Pays for the Wedding?

Who Pays for the Wedding?

As a wedding professional with years of experience in the industry, I am excited to share with you some friendly advice and tips to help you navigate this important aspect of wedding planning.

Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, but nowadays, it is not uncommon for couples to pay for their own wedding or for both families to contribute. According to a survey by The Knot, the bride's family pays for the wedding 44% of the time, the couple pays for it themselves 42% of the time, and the groom's family pays for it 13% of the time. Let’s discuss who is expected to pay for what and provide tips for navigating these conversations with your families.

Lauren Bloom Photography

Accepting Financial Help from Others for Your Wedding

If your family or parents are contributing to your wedding budget, it's important to have conversations early on about what they are willing and able to contribute. Some families may have specific expectations or traditions that they want to follow, while others may be more flexible. It's important to have open and honest conversations about what is expected and what you are comfortable with. In this section, we will provide examples of conversations and questions that couples should consider when accepting financial help from others.

What is the budget?

It's important to understand how much money is being contributed and what that money is expected to cover. You and your partner should have a clear understanding of the budget before you start making any decisions.

What are the expectations?

Are there specific traditions or expectations that your families want to follow? For example, is there a particular type of venue or catering that is expected? Discussing these expectations early on can help you avoid any misunderstandings or surprises later.

What decisions do we get to make?

Even i​f your family(s) is contributing financially, you and your partner should still have the final say on all wedding decisions. Make sure that you are clear on what decisions you get to make and what decisions need to be made in consultation with your families.

Are there any strings attached?

Sometimes financial help comes with strings attached, such as wanting to invite additional guests or having a say in the wedding planning process. It's important to be clear on what those strings are before accepting any financial help.

How will the money be transferred?

Make sure that you and your families are clear on how the money will be transferred and when. This can help you avoid any misunderstandings or delays in payment.

How involved will they be in the planning process?

If your families are contributing financially, they may want to be more involved in the planning process. It's important to discuss how involved they want to be and what role they will play in the planning process.

What happens if we go over budget?

It's important to discuss what happens if you go over budget. Will your families be able to contribute more money, or will you need to adjust your plans to stay within the budget?
By having these conversations and addressing these questions early on, you and your partner can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your wedding planning process runs smoothly.

Paying for the Wedding Completely Yourselves

If you and your partner are paying for the wedding completely yourselves, it's important to set a budget early on and stick to it. According to a survey by WeddingWire, the average wedding cost in 2020 was $19,000. In this section, we will provide tips on how to save money on your wedding, including prioritizing what's important to you, negotiating with vendors, and considering alternative options for your wedding venue and decor.
Thank you for tuning in to our podcast episode on wedding budgets and who pays for the wedding. Remember, setting a budget early on and having open and honest conversations with your families and partner is key to ensuring a stress-free wedding planning process. Best of luck to all of our listeners on your wedding planning journey!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast for more helpful tips and advice on wedding planning. Don't forget to follow us on social media for even more inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the wedding industry.

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Written by Behind the Party Podcast 
​Episode: LISTEN HERE