"Wedding Money Dance"

Written by, Cheryl Harwell Bailey


As a wedding consultant, I've seen, "The Money Dance," many times. It is prevalent in various cultures. 
It's fun to watch the guests pile money on 
the newlywed's as they "dance." 
They will need all the help they can get in today's economy.


Having enough money for your "Big Day!"is like dancing. It takes coordination, skill, and self control. 
I sincerely hope, I can help you save money and time with some years of old wedding wisdom. 

Simple Wedding Budget

The best defense against overspending is to make a budget for every category of expenditure, from dresses and flowers to music and invitations. Do your best to stick to your goals. If you find yourself going over budget in one category that’s OK,  just try to cut back in another.

If you allow enough time to plan your wedding, you can comparison shop for some services and scout out the best prices. Also, remember that your wedding does not have to be the most expensive to be beautiful and meaningful. The guests come to share your joy.

Who Pays For What?

 There were strict rules about who paid for certain wedding expenses, and those lines were rarely crossed. Wedding traditions, like the rest of society, are more flexible today.

For instance, more mature brides and grooms (especially those who’ve been working for some time) may pay for expenses. This is particularly common in the case of second marriages. The groom’s family may offer to pick up expenses that were formerly paid by the bride’s side of the family.

Traditionally, expenses were divided like this: 

Bride’s Family

* Wedding invitations, announcements and postage.

* Rental expense of canopy or aisle carpet

* Wedding gown and accessories

* Fee for soloist or organist

* Transportation of wedding party to ceremony and reception

* Bride’s trousseau

* Flowers for female attendants

* Flowers for the ceremony site

* All reception expenses: food and drink, musicians, decorations and flowers, gratuities for bartenders and waiters

* Engagement and wedding photography; videotaping expense

* Hotel lodging for out-of-town bridesmaids

* Bride’s medical examinations and blood test

* Bridesmaids’ luncheon

* Groom’s wedding ring

* Bride’s gift to groom

* Bride’s gifts to her attendants

* Bride’s personal stationery

* Guest book for wedding

Groom’s Family 

* Bride’s engagement and wedding rings

* Groom’s medical exam and blood test

* Marriage license

* Clergyman or officiator’s fee

* Flowers: bride’s bouquet and going away corsage, boutonnieres for male members of wedding party, corsages for mothers and grandmothers

* Groom’s attire

* Hotel lodging for out-of-town ushers

* Groom’s gift to bride

* Groom’s gifts to groomsmen

* Travel and lodging expenses for groom’s family

* Rehearsal dinner

* Honeymoon

Attendants

* Wedding attire

* Travel expenses

* Wedding gifts for bride

* Bachelor dinner (if not hosted by groom)

* Bridesmaids’ luncheon or party (if not hosted by bride)

Up for Discussion

* In some areas of the country,  expenses are handled differently than tradition normally dictates. Here are a few examples that may vary from region to region.

* Bachelor Dinner: Usually an expense of the groom, but may be paid for by his groomsmen or a group of male friends.

* Bridesmaids’ Luncheon: Usually an expense of the bride’ but may be paid for by bridesmaids or the bride’s family.

* Rehearsal Dinner

* Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Usually bought by attendants, but may be paid for by the bride.

* Flowers for the Brides: Corsages for Mothers and Grandmothers: These are generally bought by the groom. However, the bride’s family may purchase these, along with the flowers for the ceremony and reception.