Weddings the Island Way

Traditionally, the bride’s family picks up the wedding tab, the groom covers the honeymoon…but with the cost of wedding celebrations skyrocketing, this isn’t set in stone anymore.

Traditionally

Bride’s family pays for:
- Reception costs, including food, music, decorations, rental fees and entertainment
- Ceremony costs including rental fees, decorations
- Flowers for Ceremony and Reception
- Wedding dress and accessories
- Invitations, announcements, programs, and mailing costs
- Favors
- Photography
- Transportation
- Their own attire and travel expenses

Bride pays for:
- The groom’s wedding ring
- A wedding gift for the groom
- Her hair, makeup, beauty treatments
- Gifts for her attendants
- Sometimes accommodation for any out-of-town bridesmaids

Groom’s family pays for:
- The rehearsal dinner, including food, invitations, decorations and entertainment
- Their own attire and travel expenses
- A wedding present

Groom pays for:
- Marriage license
- Bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring
- The honeymoon
- A wedding gift for the bride
- Bride’s bouquet
- Gifts for his attendants
- Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers
- Boutonnières for men in the wedding party
- Sometimes accommodation for groomsmen
- Fee for the officiant

Modern Day Approach:
Upon announcing their engagement, the bride and groom discuss and estimate plans and expenses for the wedding, the reception and any other expenses. Then they approach both their parents and explain their plans. They can gently discuss both families pitching in to cover the costs, or divide the costs 3 ways: groom’s parents, bride’s parents and bride and groom.