After an interesting TikTok video sparked a look into the duties and responsibilities of a bride’s maid of honor and bridesmaids, last week we looked at the obligations of the groom’s best man and groomsman, plus a little bit of a history lesson.
While many of those task items are monetary responsibilities, a question from our podcast “The Wediquette” came to mind – is it still common practice that (in a heterosexual or same sex female couple) the bride’s parents are responsible for certain items in the wedding planning, while the groom’s or other bride’s parents handle a separate set of items?
Of course, we had to check in with the authority on all etiquette, Emily Post.
For traditional expenses, Emily Post notes the following financial and other obligations that rest on the parents of the bride:
- Services of a wedding consultant
- Invitations, enclosures and announcements
- The bride’s wedding gown and accessories
- Floral decorations for the ceremony and reception, bridesmaids’ flowers
- The bride’s bouquet (unless it is customary for the groom to pay for it)
- Tent, awning, aisle runner
- Music for church and reception
- Transportation of bridal party to ceremony and to reception
- All reception expenses
- Services of a traffic officer or security, if necessary
- Photographer, wedding photographs, wedding albums
- Videographer and finished DVD
- Transportation and lodging expenses for the officiant if from another town and if invited to officiate by the bride’s family
- Accommodations for bride’s attendants
- Bridesmaids’ luncheon, if hosted by the bride or her family
- Bride’s gifts to her attendants
- Bride’s gift to groom
- Groom’s wedding ring
There are obvious modern updates to the financial rules and responsibilities couples have adopted, many opt to pay for their wedding themselves, but if you’re looking to play it by the book for your upcoming nuptials, stick with Mrs. Post.
