The Wedding Budget: Who pays?
Every couple knows that one of the first tasks to accomplish when planning a wedding is to set a budget. This usually means uncomfortable talks with both sets of parents about how much they are or are not willing to contribute as well as figuring out how much the couple can contribute as well. A lot of budgets are determined by what station in life the couple is at. A young couple likely does not have the funds or ability to raise the funds for an extravagant wedding; however, they may have parents that are willing to pay. A couple that is older and more established or a couple where one or both people is getting remarried may be more likely to pay for the wedding themselves. If you bought a wedding planner like most brides, it likely has a section on who traditionally pays for each aspect of the wedding and honeymoon. It would be nice if everyone still followed this today, but in more and more cases, couples are paying for weddings themselves.
The cost of weddings is getting higher and higher. Are we all trying so hard to keep up with the Jones’ that we are enabling wedding vendors to drive up their prices? Look at some facts. Check out a reception site and look at the difference in costs for a wedding and for a different type of party or maybe even a conference. The same thing goes for DJ’s, flowers, and photographers. With the cost of weddings so high, how can we expect our parents to foot the entire bill?
So tell us all about your budget. How have you been able to divide the costs? Has there been controversy or fighting over the money and what you want at your wedding? Do you have any tips on saving money? We want to know all about your budgeting technique and how it is working out or not working out for you!
August 16th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
The very first thing Mike and I did was talk to our parents. My mother asked if my father would be paying for half so I had to go to him first. He set an amount that he would pay and I went back to my mother. She agreed to match the amount my father put in. Next, we talked to Mike’s parents who also agreed to give a certain amount.
I will be honest and say that our budgeting system was way off. I wish I knew then what I know now about budgeting for a wedding. We didn’t allocate the money properly. We had to skimp on some things in order to have others. In the end it all worked out, but I suggest that all brides seriously consider where their money is going and what is important to have at their wedding and what they may be able to go without.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Hi Heaather,
I am currently writing a program for a wedding budget calculator and will post it as soon as it is finished. Thanks for the post!
Lori
I Do! Wedding Favors
August 19th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I think it is wrong to expect our parents to pay for our weddings. As adults, my fiance and I have carefully calculated costs and paid every penny ourselves. Expecting your parents to pay is old fashioned and quickly becoming a burden!
August 19th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I agree! Thanks for the post!
Lori
I Do! Wedding Favors
September 14th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Pay for it yourself. It does show your responsible enough to get married if you can afford to pay for it yourself. Save, it makes you stronger.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:11 pm
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June 16th, 2008 at 9:12 am
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