In addition to all of the coordinating, one of the biggest stresses involved in planning a wedding is the cost. From beginning to end after all the rings, parties, food, and fun someone is left paying the bill.

Weddings typically cost tens of thousands of dollars with the average being close to thirty thousand. All those little (and not so little) expenses along the way add up. Keeping track of what you spend and planning ahead can help prevent a last minute cancelation of those ice sculptures you always wanted due to a lack of funds.

Below we have included a link to our Budget Calculator to help you log, organize, and keep on track with you budget. Work with this calculator or use it as a guide.

 

Who pays for what now?

Traditionally, the bride’s family takes responsibility for funding most of the wedding. The groom’s parents, although generally thought of as “safe” from the staggering costs of a wedding, are responsible for a few things, mainly the band or DJ and the liquor. Traditional costs also include some small fees such as the marriage license and the Officiant’s fee in addition to the flowers the bridal party wears or carries (including the bridal bouquet.)

Although tradition states it’s the bride’s parents footing most of the bill for the wedding, this is often not the case in modern times. Currently the trend has been to share the expenses among both families, sometimes with the bride and groom contributing. With couples marrying later, they sometimes choose to sponsor the wedding themselves.

Copyright 2008 by MJI Interactive