TRADITIONALLY, THE BRIDE’S PARENTS PAY FOR:

• Announcements in the newspapers
• All the wedding stationery
• Bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses
• Transport for the bridal party to the ceremony and from the ceremony to  the reception
• The reception itself
• The wedding cake

TRADITIONALLY, THE GROOM PAYS FOR:

• All the fees – whether for church officials (including vicar, organist, choir,  bellringers) or for the  registrar and civil licence
• Bouquets for the bride and bridesmaid, sprays of flowers for the bride’s   mother and his own mother  and buttonholes for himself, the best man and the ushers
• Engagement and wedding rings for the bride
• Presents for the best man and the bride’s attendants
• Transport to the ceremony for himself and the best man and to the  reception for himself and the bride
• The honeymoon

Nowadays it’s much more common for the bride and groom themselves – and even the groom’s parents – to contribute towards the cost. However, whoever is contributing to the cost should have some say in how the money is spent.

Your budget will need to cover:

Wedding ring(s)
Wedding dress
Bridesmaids’ and attendants’ outfits
Groom’s suit
Stationery
Flowers
Fees for the ceremony
Reception venue, food and drink
Wedding cake
Photographs/video
Wedding transport
thank you gifts for best man and attendants
Going away outfits
Honeymoon