Post # 1

Member
239 posts
Helper bee
I’m just curious. Is it “traditional” for the groom’s family to pay for the honeymoon?
Note: We are currently working out our budget. We by no means expect anyone to help us. We’re just wondering what is “traditional” when the parents do pay.
Post # 3

Member
460 posts
Helper bee
I know it’s traditional for the groom’s family to pay for the rehearsal dinner, but not sure about the honeymoon. Sorry!
Post # 4

Member
1401 posts
Bumble bee
My FI’s parents aren’t going to help out at all with the honeymoon. They aren’t in a financial situation to be helping out much anyway. I never thought to ask either of our families about paying for the honeymoon, and always assumed that would be 100% on us. That could work out different for each family though!
The only things I know the groom’s family “traditionally” pays for are the rehearsal dinner, officiant, and license/paperwork.
Post # 5

Member
2819 posts
Sugar bee
Uh…no. It’s traditional for the couple to pay for their honeymoon and the rings, for sure, plus some other stuff. Groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, and a few other things. Bride’s parents pay for practically everything else. (Is dumb, the way it’s split up.)
Post # 6

Member
5262 posts
Bee Keeper
I don’t think it’s traditional, but R’s parents are letting us use their Disney Vacation Club points for part of our honeymoon, which we really appreciate!
Post # 7

Member
239 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for the input.
All of the “wedding etiquette” that I’ve been reading, the knot for example, says the groom’s side does pay. Again, we’re just curious as to what people really do.
Post # 8

Member
2186 posts
Buzzing bee
its traditional in my family to have the groom’s family pay for the honeymoon and Rehearsal Dinner… unfortunately its not tradition for the FH’s family (although they are just fine with the whole bride’s family pay for wedding part of tradition) – i think its a southern thing. the brides family hosts the wedding, then the groom’s family pays for their first official vacation.
either way, you cant “tell” someone what is tradition or not soooooo me and FH are paying for it. lol
Post # 9

Member
806 posts
Busy bee
FI’s parents are giving us their time share but we’ll pay the other honeymoon costs ourselves (flights, rental car, food etc).
Not sure if the reason is “tradition” or if they just wanted to (the time share is something they’ve already paid for, but if they didn’t give it to us, they could use it themselves).
Post # 10

Member
2403 posts
Buzzing bee
as of right now, i don’t think FIs parents are paying for the honeymoon at all. they might, however , pay for some elements at the wedding (maybe!)
Post # 11

Member
1955 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: June 2010 - Tannery Pond at the Darrow School
While I think you’re right, that traditionally the groom or groom’s family did pay for the honeymoon, I think that isn’t really followed anymore…My parents actually gave us our wedding present early, which was money for the honeymoon, so I guess we reversed that tradition completely!
Post # 12

Member
1937 posts
Buzzing bee
I would advise talking to each of the families directly, and not relying at all on what is considered “traditional.” It will help prevent you from feeling frustrated if each of the families don’t do what is “traditional.”
My parents are paying for about 1/3 of the wedding, but they also gave us an early wedding gift – money for the honeymoon! My Fiance and I are paying for the other 2/3rds of the wedding (minus the things listed below). My FI’s grandparents are paying for part of the cake. My FI’s aunt and uncle are paying for all the flowers. My FI’s family is handling the rehearsal dinner – really low key at a relative’s house. Two of my aunts are helping to make food for the Rehearsal Dinner.
It’s what worked for each of the families – my family would rather just give us money and let us do what we want with it. His family wants to help with specific “things.”
Post # 14

Member
14181 posts
Honey Beekeeper
They may be offended if you approach them like “hey this is traditional, will you pay for it?”
However, my dad’s parents paid for mom and dad to go to hawaii for 3 weeks back when they got married, so I guess they were being traditional.
Post # 15

Member
239 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for the advice everyone. We by no means had any intentions of asking them to pay for it or saying it is traditional. A big reason we’re asking is because his mom is all about what is traditional and etiquette. The rest of us don’t really care. And, we’ve always thought of the honeymoon as traditionally the groom. We’re just trying to get a feel for what is actually done.
I also think his mom thinks what is “traditional” is whatever they did in their own wedding. Yikes! Oh well…
We’re appreciating the different points of view. Thanks, again!
Post # 16

Member
7768 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
My family considers it traditonal that the bride’s family pays for the wedding (as much as they can) and the groom’s family pays for the rehearsal dinner. That being said, we are paying for most of everything ourselves… The precedent was just set for my sister’s wedding, but that was several years ago and things have changed.