Post # 1
Member
148 posts
Blushing bee
So, I’m pretty much a complete wedding newbie, so I was curious to learn more about how weddings are paid for. I know that there are much fewer “traditional” weddings these days, but I don’t know how much I should be saving toward an eventual wedding. I know that it won’t be any issue figuring out how much my family will provide for me (I’m the groom and one of several children, so I imagine it will be close to nothing). However, I don’t know what to expect from my SO’s end. Of course I would never ask that beforehand, but is it best just to plan on having no support from her parents/family and take any help as a pleasant surprise? Did you take the gifts you would receive from attendants into account when you made your budget? Are there different parts of the wedding that are commonly paid for by others?
I’d like to hear your input on how the situation worked out for you.
Post # 3
Member
2281 posts
Buzzing bee
My parents offered a small amount that they would contribute (as wedding budgets go), but Darling Husband and I don’t have any money of our own, so we just had a small wedding and kept the budget under what my parents had offered. We were incredibly grateful that my parents were willing to pay for anything, because othewise, we’d have been at the courthouse!
Post # 4
Member
478 posts
Helper bee
My father bought my dress. Other than that, we are paying for it entirely ourselves
Post # 5
Member
4982 posts
Honey bee
@ProfessorGirl: FH and I are basically in the same boat! My parents offered to pay what they can afford and we’re trying to stay under it. I wouldn’t be surprised if my grandparents offer to pitch in as well, but I’m not expecting anything.
We’re paying for the honeymoon ourselves.
Post # 6
Member
2692 posts
Sugar bee
As of this moment, we are footing the bill ourselves so we planned accordingly and only are spending what we can afford. However, my father offered to buy my dress (that’s $200) and my grandma sent me $200 ( so 400 bucks towards the wedding from family).
Plus fmil made my linens and flower dress and will be making the ringbearer outfit as well.
It might not seem like much but the extra 200 for my dress I saved, I hired a DJ. And the linens would have been a graet savings if the caterer I foudn didn’t also provide linens. The 200 bucks my gram sent went towards a few miscellaneouos wedding expenses and a Japanese dinner date for me and fi 😛
Post # 7
Member
222 posts
Helper bee
My parents are paying for the food, the wedding cake, and the officiant.
My FH’s parents gave us a large portion of our budget.
The rests lies in our bank accounts.
Post # 8
Member
895 posts
Busy bee
My parents bought small things here and there and payed for our cake, the silverware, and plates, and flowers for the church
My uncle paid for the briskets, one of my grandmas made the frijoles rancheros, and my other grandma made the potato salad, macaroni salad, rice and also had a cousin make the chile curtido
A cousin purchased our plastic table cloths and guest sign frame
My aunt and family friend paid for the photographer
Another uncle and Father-In-Law paid for the DJ
Darling Husband and I paid for the rest ourselves. We didn’t have a big wedding but it was perfect.
Post # 9
Member
325 posts
Helper bee
My mother paid for pretty much the entire thing. My Mother-In-Law paid for our open bar/alcohol.
Darling Husband and I personally paid for the gifts to the bridal party and for our travel/honeymoon.
Post # 10
Member
524 posts
Busy bee
@ProfessorGirl: Same here! My parents offered to pay $5,000, which, as far as weddings go, is not very much, but we’re very grateful, because as graduate students we wouldn’t be able to afford anything other than a courthouse wedding ourselves! We are paying for the honeymoon and his family generously offered to pay for some things as well (beverages, etc.).
