Are you wondering who typically pays for wedding attire? Before establishing a budget, you'll want to determine who's paying for what wedding day looks. Wedding attire can be pricy and there are no set rules on who pays for what. However, many couples stick with traditional approaches to divvying up costs.
Bride’s Attire
While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride’s family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories. This includes everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes. Although this is how the cost has typically been handled, many modern brides are opting to pay for their gown themselves rather than relying on family.
Groom’s Attire
Similarly, to the bride’s gown, the groom’s family typically pays for his attire. However, it is not uncommon at all for the groom to foot the bill for his own wedding day suit or tuxedo. This is typically a much smaller cost than the wedding gown, especially if the groom is renting his look!
Groomsmen Suits/Tuxes
Historically the groomsmen have been responsible for paying for their own suits and tuxes. These items can be quite pricy, so giving your groomsmen the choice to rent their attire provides a much more affordable option. If your groomsmen all rent their look from the same company, you’ll also guarantee that they’ll be perfectly coordinated! Check out our Groom Fashion blog for more information on the different options for groomsmen attire.
Bridesmaid Dresses
Typically, each bridesmaid is responsible for paying for her own dress. The main exception to this rule is if a bridesmaid is the bride’s sister, then typically the family of the bride will cover the cost of her gown as well. Allowing your bridesmaids to pick out their own dresses will ensure that they feel comfortable in what they’re wearing, and it gives them more wiggle room when it comes to the cost. Being a bridesmaid can get pricy quick, so be sure to consider the price of the gowns you’re requesting your girls to wear!
Flower Girl & Ring Bearer Attire
Traditionally the parents of the flower girl or ring bearer will front the cost for their outfit. It’s thoughtful to provide a few different options that you’re comfortable with so that the child’s parents have a variety of looks in different budgets from which to choose. If you’re dead set on the flower girl or ring bearer wearing a specific outfit and you’re not willing to compromise, then it may be appropriate for you to offer to pay.
Mother of the Bride & Groom
Both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom are expected to pay for their own wedding attire. Typically, these gowns do not need to match the bridesmaid dresses, however, some brides prefer for the gowns to coordinate in some way. Choosing a dress in a similar hue to the bridesmaids, or a color that compliments their gowns is a great way to look cohesive without seeming as though either mother is part of the bridal party.
Although this is how the wedding attire responsibilities have been divided in the past, do whatever works best for you and your groom’s budget! Some couples may be able to cover their wedding party’s looks, and others may lean on their parents for support with their own attire. Just be sure to establish payment responsibilities ahead of setting budgets so that everyone is in agreement prior to any attire purchases. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and you’re able to stay within your budget!
FAQs
While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories.
Who is supposed to pay for the wedding dress? ›
Who pays for the wedding dress? This ultimately falls to the bride and her family. They're also expected to cover the cost of the veil, accessories and the rest of the wedding wardrobe, including outfits for the shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and honeymoon.
Who is responsible for buying wedding dress? ›
Dresses and Suits
The bride and groom are responsible for paying for what they will wear on the wedding day. Oftentimes the bride's mom will help pay for her dress and accessories. The groom should handle any costs associated with their suit.
Does the wedding party pay for their own attire? ›
Wedding Day Attire
Party members should expect to purchase their own attire, whether that means pay for a dress or renting a tuxedo or suit. Accessories like jewelry, shoes, or bowties should also be factored into their overall attire budget.
What is the groom's family supposed to pay for? ›
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
Who pays for the wedding attire? ›
Bride's Attire
While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories. This includes everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes.
What do the brides' parents pay for? ›
The topic of money can be touchy, and no one wants to inadvertently offend. Traditionally, the breakdown of expenses was very clear: The bride's family paid for the groom's ring, engagement party, the wedding and reception, a brunch the next day, and a belated reception (if there was one).
Who is financially responsible for a wedding? ›
Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, but that custom is rapidly changing. Couples are increasingly choosing to handle at least half of the wedding expenses on their own. Early planning and a written budget can help avoid miscommunication when deciding who pays for what.
Do parents pay for wedding dress? ›
If you are following the rules of tradition, the bride's family is expected to bear the brunt of the expenses including the wedding dress, bridesmaids' gifts, the wedding planner or coordinator, the invitations, the flowers, the reception, photography, the groom's wedding ring, music, any pre-wedding day meals for the ...
Who pays for the honeymoon? ›
Who Traditionally Pays for the Honeymoon. "'Traditional' older etiquette states that the groom and his parents are supposed to fund the honeymoon because the bride and her family are paying for the wedding," explains Forrest Skurnik while noting that these rules no longer apply.
Asking bridesmaids at modern weddings to pay for their own dresses is relatively common, but it's important to give them plenty of time to afford it. Saving for a £200 dress is a much easier task if your wedding is two years away compared to just a couple of months.
What does maid of honor pay for? ›
"We often see the maid of honor assist in covering the cost of the bridal shower (often in conjunction with a family member of the bride), covering her own costs and some of the costs of the bride for the bachelorette party (in conjunction with the rest of the bridesmaids), her own travel to and from the wedding, a ...
Does the best man pay for anything? ›
Traditionally, the best man purchases a gift from the couple's wedding registry or gives cash. However, if the best man would prefer to give a more creative or sentimental gift that' s not on the registry that he feels the couple would love, that's okay, too.
Who pays for the wedding rings? ›
The most traditional way to go about this would be the groom pays for the bride's engagement ring and matching wedding band and the bride pays for the groom's wedding band plus a gift. Today, a more modern approach by many couples would be to accept the wedding bands as a joint investment by both people.
Am I obligated to pay for my daughter's wedding? ›
Traditionally, parents pay for children's weddings. Although the bride's side will cater for most expenses, this is not mandatory. Again, there's no set age at which parents should stop paying for their children's weddings. In our opinion, parents should chip in what they feel comfortable, no matter the age.
Who is supposed to buy the wedding dress for the bride? ›
Who traditionally pays for the wedding dress? One of the most closely stuck-to traditions is that the bride's family will pay for the wedding dress. This also includes any accessories the bride may wear, such as a veil, a bag and shoes. For modern weddings, the bride may want to pay for her own dress.
Who is responsible for paying for the brides wedding? ›
Traditionally, the bride's family pays for the wedding, but that custom is rapidly changing. Couples are increasingly choosing to handle at least half of the wedding expenses on their own.
What are groom's parents responsible for? ›
According to traditional etiquette, the groom's family is responsible for paying for the bride's rings, the groom's and groomsmen's attire, the rehearsal dinner, gifts for the groomsmen, some personal flowers, the officiant's fee, the marriage license fee, certain aspects of transportation, and the honeymoon.
