I bought my daughter a new car for her 21st, paid for her tertiary education, and am now faced with what looks like huge and frivolous bills for her wedding. What does the bride's father have to pay for?

Although, traditionally, the main costs involved in a wedding are paid for by the bride's parents, it is becoming more and more acceptable for both sets of parents to split the costs.

If the couple have been living together or are earning a substantial salary, it is not unusual for them to contribute towards the expenses as well.

Another option that is becoming increasingly popular is for parents to agree to sponsor the wedding up to a set amount, with any additional expense being borne by the couple.

This enables some couples to opt for a less elaborate wedding and rather keep the extra cash.

For those who follow the traditional path, however, the bride's parents have a heavy burden to shoulder, as in this scenario the groom's family is held responsible for very little.

These are the traditional payment arrangements:

The bride's family pay for:

  • invitations and all wedding stationery for church and reception
  • bride's and bridesmaids' dresses and accessories
  • flowers for the church and reception
  • photographer/videographer
  • all reception costs, music etc. (excluding drinks, barmen and related expenses)
  • the wedding cake.

    The groom and his family pay for:

  • legal expenses (ante-nuptial contract)
  • ceremony expenses (marriage officer’s fee, organist, choir, soloist, tips etc.)
  • the bride's and bridesmaids' bouquets, as well as buttonholes and corsages for the wedding party
  • hiring of clothes for himself and best man, if necessary
  • gifts for the bridesmaids and best man
  • drinks at the reception and related expenses, i.e hiring of barmen, hiring of glasses, etc.
  • transport for the bride to the church and reception
  • accommodation on the wedding night and for the honeymoon.