Planning a wedding is an exciting but stressful experience for many couples. One of the most important decisions to make is who will pay for the wedding. There is a long-standing tradition of the bride’s parents footing the bill for the wedding, but is this still the case? Let’s explore the current state of wedding finances.
Wedding Finances: Who Pays?
Today, couples are increasingly paying for their own weddings. According to The Knot’s 2017 Real Weddings Survey, the bride and groom are shouldering the majority of wedding costs. The survey found that the couple pays an average of 44% of wedding costs, the bride’s parents cover 45%, and the groom’s parents pay 11%.
The survey also found that couples are paying more for their weddings than ever before. The average cost of a wedding in 2017 was $33,391, up from $32,641 in 2016.
Unpacking the Tradition of Bride’s Parents Paying for the Wedding
Though the bride and groom are shouldering more of the financial burden for weddings than ever before, the tradition of the bride’s parents paying for the wedding is still alive and well.
The tradition of the bride’s parents paying for the wedding likely stems from the father’s role as a provider in the family. In the past, the bride’s father was expected to provide a dowry for the bride to bring to the marriage. Today, many parents see paying for the wedding as a way to symbolize their love for their daughter and welcome their new son-in-law into the family.
In some cases, the bride’s parents may not be able to cover the costs of the wedding. Couples should be understanding of their parents’ financial situation and look for other ways to finance the wedding.
Though the bride and groom are shouldering more of the financial burden for weddings than ever before, the tradition of the bride’s parents paying for the wedding is still alive and well. Couples should be understanding of their parents’ financial situation and look for other ways to finance the wedding.