by Can Tran

Created on: December 30, 2010   Last Updated: December 31, 2010

Wedding etiquette, in regards in who should pay for what, varies from one culture to another. In modern times, especially due to the shaky global economy, wedding etiquette could very well change. Today, the costs of everything associated with the wedding is usually done half and half between the bride and the groom. For the most part, things are very well changing a whole lot. Still, wedding etiquette will usually differ from one culture to another.

In the case of Western weddings, American and European, it is usually split between the bride and groom's families. They are charged with paying for certain items for the most part.

The bride's family usually pays for the following: bridesmaid bouquets, grandmother corsages, ceremony flowers, altar baskets, carpeting/canopy covers, rental items for wedding/reception, invitations, wedding programs, napkins, church fee, musicians, church janitors, reception hall fee, professional services (catering, etc), wedding photos, videos, entertainment, wedding cake, rice bags, wedding breakfast, bridal lunch, and clothes for father of the bride.

The groom's family usually pays for the following: groom's cake, clothes for father of the groom, and the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally, the groom's family does not usually have to pay for much. Most of the costs and duties are handed down to the bride's family.

The bride herself usually pays for the following: groom's wedding ring, wedding gift for the groom, bridesmaid gifts, medical visit for the bride, bridesmaid luncheon, and accommodations for guests coming from out of town.

The groom himself usually pays for the following: engagement ring, bride's wedding ring, wedding gift for the groom, gifts for groomsmen/ushers, bride's bouquet, mother's corsages, groom's boutonniere, groomsmen boutonnieres, usher's boutonnieres, marriage license, medical visit for the groom, clergymen fee, accessories for attendants, limousine service, and honeymoon arrangements. While the groom's family does not usually have to pay for much, the groom himself has to pay for a lot of the traditional wedding services.

However, there is more. The maid of honor is tasked with paying for the bride's wedding shower while the best man is tasked with paying for the groom's bachelor party. Maid of honor, matron of honor, ushers, and so forth have to pay for their own outfits. Guests have to pay for their own travel arrangements.

This is usually the traditional wedding etiquette for Western-style weddings.

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