Wedding Family Matters: What Do the Groom’s Parents Pay For in a Wedding?

Q:

What do the parents of the groom pay for? My son is getting married in August, and I’m not sure what my husband and I should cover.

A:

Traditionally, the parents of the groom take care of a few of the expenses including: the marriage license, officiant’s fee, corsages, boutonnieres, the bride’s bouquet, groomsmen gifts, liquor, and the reception DJ, band or other musical entertainment. And the bride’s parents pay for everything else. Then again, today’s guidelines of who pays for what are very flexible — many times, the parents of the bride and groom will split the wedding expenses in half, or sometimes into thirds, depending on whether the couple pitches in. In the end, the amount of money you contribute depends upon your financial situation and how much you’re willing to contribute.