Who foots the bill? Your guide is here

Societal conventions are shifting, which means there’s no longer a set formula for who should fund what aspects of your wedding. But this much is for sure: Clarity makes for smooth planning, so it’s best to agree on a budget and decide early on who will pay for what.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s a look at the traditional breakdown. (Featured photo by Rachel Fesko Photography.)

The bride

Gift for groom

Wedding ring

Personal wedding stationery

Gifts for bride’s attendants

Accommodations for her out-of-town attendants

The bride or her family 

Invitations, announcements, enclosures

Wedding attire and trousseau

Rental fees for ceremony and reception locations

Flowers and decorations for ceremony and reception

Fees for musicians, such as the organist, soloist, or string quartet

All reception expenses

Bridal portraits

Photography and videography for wedding and reception

Wedding-day transportation

Gift for the newlyweds

The groom

Engagement and wedding rings for the bride (and groom’s wedding ring)

Wedding gift for the bride

Marriage license

Gifts for best man and groomsmen

Fee for clergy or ceremony official

Accommodations for his out-of-town attendants

Bouquet and going-away corsage for bride, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for men in wedding party

The honeymoon

The groom or his family

Their own travel and hotel accommodations

Wedding gift for the newlywed

Bachelor dinner (or his friends may give)

Rehearsal dinner

The attendants

Their own wedding attire (Though, in some cases, the bride chooses to give dresses and/or accessories as gifts.)

Travel from out of town

Wedding gifts for bride and groom

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 1:42 PM with the headline "Who foots the bill? Your guide is here."