DC Wedding Planning - Who pays for the wedding?

When it comes to planning their DC wedding, couples have a lot of questions. As an award-winning Wedding DJ Washington DC serving the district and Northern VA, our passion is helping couples have the best experience possible and being an asset in all facets of wedding planning. 

This article is one in a series of articles intended to answer the top 50 questions couples have when planning their DC wedding.

Who pays for the DC Wedding?

Traditionally the bride's parents were responsible for paying for the entire wedding celebration. It is important to understand the expectations of the groom in those days was quite different than it is today. At that time, the groom was solely responsible for not only purchasing the house but to support his wife financially from that day onward.

Things have changed a lot since then and expectations for paying for the DC wedding have changed as well.

Today, most people believe the couple should pay for their own wedding—especially if they have lived on their own for some time. Of course, parents often want to pitch in. Contributions should be negotiated according to willingness and ability, but the traditional divisions on the following slides will offer some more guidance on who pays for what at a wedding.

Who historically has paid for each aspect of a DC Wedding?

Whether your parents (or your future spouse's parents) are generously offering to pay for part or all of the wedding expenses, it is helpful to understand who traditionally has paid for each aspect of the wedding celebration.

While it is certainly not mandatory for the bride's family to pay for the engagement party and the groom's parents to foot the bill for the rehearsal dinner, knowing how a wedding bill is typically split will help everyone better navigate these waters.

Here is what you need to know about how a traditional DC wedding budget breaks down, plus tips to help you decide who will pay for what.

Who pays for the engagement party?

Traditionally, the bride's parents will pay for and throw an engagement party for their daughter and her husband-to-be. An engagement party can be a wonderful way to get future wedding guests together to establish a rapport before the event.

What does the bride's family pay for, traditionally?

Traditionally, the bride and her family are responsible for paying for:

• All wedding planning expenses.

• The bride's attire.

• All floral arrangements.

• Wedding day transportation.

• Photography and videography fees.

• Lodging for the bridesmaids (if you have offered to help with this expense).

• The reception.

The bride personally pays for:

• The wedding flowers and gifts for her attendants.

• The groom's ring, and a present for him.

What does the groom's family pay for, traditionally?

Traditionally, the groom's family is responsible for:

• Corsages and boutonnieres for immediate members of both families.

• Lodging of the groom's attendants (if you have offered to help pay for this expense).

• The rehearsal dinner.

• The groom’s parents often help with the reception expenses by purchasing the alcohol or covering all the floral costs.

The groom is traditionally expected to pay for:

• Marriage licenses.

• The officiant's fees and buy.

• The wedding bouquet.

• The bride’s engagement and wedding rings and a gift.

• He should also purchase boutonnieres and gifts for his groomsmen.

• The honeymoon expenses are classically his, as the head of his new household.