There is frequently doubt about who should pay for what and while the brides parents used to pay most of the costs of a wedding, recently this has changed significantly and the groom’s family now sometimes pay more of the cost.
Traditionally the costs have been allocated as follows but there are no longer hard and fast rules. Many items are up for discussion.

THE PARENTS OF THE BRIDE.
The Bride’s and Bridesmaid’s dresses.
Cars, other than for the Groom and the Best Man.
Flowers for the church and the reception.
Photographer.
Reception, the cake and the Toastmaster.
Wedding Stationery.

THE BRIDE
The Groom’s wedding ring and present.

THE GROOM. The Bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring. Buttonholes for himself, Best Man, Ushers and Guests. Car for Groom and Best Man to the ceremony. Car for Bride and Groom to the reception. Church fees, choir etc. Flowers for the Bride and Bridesmaids. Flowers for the mothers of the Bride and Groom. Gifts for the Bride, Bridesmaids, Best Man and Ushers. The Honeymoon.

THE BRIDE.
Chooses the Bridesmaids.
Chooses her dress.
Organises dress styles and colour schemes for the Bridesmaids.
Sends thank you letters for the wedding presents.

THE GROOM.
Arrange for Best Man and Ushers.
Make a speech at the reception in reply to the Bride’s father. The speech is on behalf of the Bride and himself to thank the Bride’s parents for the wedding, thank the guests for the presents and finally to toast the Bridesmaids.
Make arrangements for the honeymoon.

THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDE’S MOTHER.
Arrange the reception.
Send out the invitations.
Book the cars.
Book the photographer.
Arrange the flowers for the church and the reception.

.

THE BEST MAN.
Arranges the stag night.
Arranges and organises the Ushers.
Arranges to pay all of the fees on behalf of the Groom before the wedding takes place.
Gets the Groom to the church on time. He should arrive with the Groom twenty minutes early to allow the photographer to take some photographs. When they go into the church they should sit in the front right hand pew.
Takes care of the rings and passes them to the vicar or minister during the ceremony.
Makes sure that all guests have transport to the reception.
Unless there is a Toastmaster the Best Man makes the announcements at the reception.
Makes a speech in reply to the Groom’s speech. Replies to the Groom on behalf of the Bridesmaids, relates stories about the Groom and reads out any messages from absent friends.
Announces the departure of the Bride and Groom as they leave for their honeymoon.
Ensures that any hired outfits are returned after the wedding.

THE USHERS.
Greet the guests as they arrive at the church and show them to their seats.
The ushers should arrive at the church half an hour before the ceremony as some guests will inevitably arrive early.
The Bride’s family and friends sit on the left hand side looking towards the altar and the Groom’s sit on the right.
After the ceremony the Bride and Groom leave the church first followed by the Bridesmaids and then the Best Man. Then the Groom’s father with the Bride’s mother, followed by the Bride’s father with the Groom’s mother.
The family and guests in the front pews should leave first followed by those seated from the front to the back of the church.
All of the guests will gather outside the church for the photographs to be taken. It is of great help if the ushers are familiar with this part of the wedding so that eveyone feels involved when the photographs are being taken.

THE USHERS ASSISTANTS.
Hand service sheets and buttonholes to the guests as they arrive at the church.

[ Return to index | Return to home page ]