These days, the cost of the wedding seems to lie in the hands of the bride and groom. That being said, there are still a lot of families out there who are more traditional and like to partake in paying for the wedding.

When it comes to the traditional way of sorting out marriage costs, it is usually the bride’s family who is responsible for coughing up the most cash.  Of course, this list can be modified to your own needs and your family’s needs, but these are the traditional roles that each side of the family plays when it comes to expenses.

The Bride’s Family

If you are the father of the bride, you best hope that you have your check book locked and loaded.  Here are the things you can expect to find on your next credit card bill:

• Any rental items are paid for by the bride’s family
• Accommodations are sorted out by the bride’s family
• Bridesmaids wedding gifts
• Ceremony decorations, church fees (if applicable), and flowers
• Entertainment (DJ, harpist, choir, organist, etc.)
• Wedding favors
• Tips for services rendered
• Grooms wedding gift and wedding ring
• Guest book
• Any invitations and thank you cards (including the postage)
• Lingerie costs (as uncomfortable as that may make your father…)
• Photographer fees
• Programs
• Reception costs
• Wedding planner fees
• Wedding dress, veil and accessories

The Groom’s Family

The groom’s family gets off a bit easier than the bride’s family.  Here’s what you are responsible for:

• Accessories for all of the men in the wedding
• Alcoholic beverages
• The bride’s wedding gift and wedding ring
• Flowers (bouquet and boutonnieres)
• Gifts for the groomsmen
• Honeymoon expenses
• Transportation
• Marriage license and officiant’s fee
• Rehearsal dinner costs
• Groom’s wedding attire

Now all because this is the traditional way of paying for things, this doesn’t mean that your family will be keen on the idea of paying for your wedding.  If you need help with paying for your wedding, approach the subject delicately if your family members have not already offered to help pay the expenses.  Sit them down at a meal you have prepared and explain that you want to treat those from both sides of the family to a good time, but you don’t have the funds to do so.  Some families will immediately put a lock on their wallet and tell you to stay away, but some may be open to the idea and help you pay for an item here or there.  Hey, it’s worth a shot, right?

More importantly, you need to be sure that you have an appropriate budget created so that your wedding expenses will be covered.  What ever you have in the bank at the time you begin paying for services rendered is how much you have.  Do not go over budget or you will be spending months, if not years, trying to pay that balance off.