The brides' family is traditionally responsible for the cost of the wedding ceremony and the reception. However, we find that in today's society, the rules are changing. It's not uncommon for each family to split the expenses or for the bride and groom to share in the payments themselves. Some receptions, particularly in weddings of an ethnic background, are planned so that the guests pay fees for dances, drinks, or favours, and the bride and groom use the funds to pay for the wedding and perhaps even make a profit. Traditionally, the groom's family pays for the marriage license, bride's rings, bride's gift, accommodation for out of town guests, gifts for the ushers and the bestman, groom's formal wear, and of course, the honeymoon. The maid of honor, bridesmaids, the bestman, and the ushers usually pay or their own outfits or rentals. The entire remaining expenses are the responsibility of the bride's family. Regardless of how the wedding expenses are shared, it is imperative that you know what they are in advance.
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