|
Wedding Bells and Wedding Bills
By Susan M. Keenan ©2006
Weddings have certainly run an exciting gamut over the
years. Arranged marriages have been created to form alliances, match financial
resources, or keep within cultural ties. Shotgun weddings have been forced
upon individuals to cover up indiscretions (and not always at the end of a real
shotgun either). Marriages of convenience have been craftily designed for many
reasons including the right to remain in the country. The best marriage of all
though is the marriage made in heaven that is all about true love.
All of these marriages are part of the cycle of human
existence and all of them have one thing in common- a wedding. Some weddings
are extravagant and glamorous, while others are private and modest. Plus, a
whole range of styles, themes, and expenses enter into the picture of blissful
union.
Engagement parties, engagement rings, wedding gowns,
tuxedos, wedding photographs, wedding receptions, wedding rehearsal dinners,
flowers, music, bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts, and wonderful honeymoons are
all part and parcel of the exciting package looming on the horizon for brides
and grooms. The only real question is “Who is going to pay? “
Traditionally, the family of the bride paid for the greater
part of the wedding extravaganza. In fact, the elegant invitations and thank
you cards, aromatic flowers, skilled photographers, glamorous wedding gown and
trousseau, memorable entertainment, sensational reception, and even more have
traditionally been paid for by the family of the bride. Expenses for several
smaller items have traditionally been paid for by the bride’s family including
bridesmaids’ gifts, necessary rental items, church fee, wedding favors and
printed items, guest book, and gratuities.
On the other side of the traditional separation of costs,
the family of the groom paid for the cost of the rehearsal dinner, marriage
license, the honeymoon, the alcohol at the reception, and a few other things.
Some smaller items have also been picked up by the groom’s family including the
boutonnieres, tuxedo rental, groomsmen gifts, and the officiant’s fee.
If a wedding consultant is used, the bride’s family
typically pays for that. The cost for accommodations for out of town guests is
usually divided according to whose relatives or friends they are. In general,
the groom pays for the bride’s ring and the bride pays for the groom’s ring.
The bridesmaids and the groomsmen cover the cost of their
wedding attire, travel costs, and wedding gifts. Usually, the bridesmaids pay
for the bridal shower and the groomsmen pay for the bachelor party.
Exactly why did the family of the bride take on the major
portion of the wedding costs? In days of old, the bride’s family also paid a
dowry, or sum of money, to the groom for agreeing to support their daughter for
the rest of her natural life. It was an expression of gratitude as well as a
means of ensuring a good start in married life for their daughter.
The loving groom promised to provide a wonderful home for
his beautiful wife and to provide for her forever. In exchange, the bride
promised to take care of their home, to be faithful and obedient, and to bear
children.
Although this is no longer the common arrangement, the
traditional break down of wedding costs occurs quite often. Even more so
though, a greater number of couples are sharing the costs equally.
|
