Planning your wedding budget - who should pay for what? Part 2

Should Mums and Dads still pick up the big day bill or should we be paying for our day, our way? In Part 2 of our guide, Wedding Ideas rounds up the options facing couples when planning their wedding budget.

5 ways to cut costs… by US celeb wedding 
planner Mindy Weiss

1. Trim the guest list – your cost per head is your biggest wedding budget expense

2. Choose a gorgeous setting – and save on the decorations

3. Move the day – weekday weddings are considerably cheaper than Saturdays

4. DIY – make as much as you can. Being creative will save you £££s on your wedding budget

5. Limit the alcohol served on the day – you could serve a cheaper signature cocktail at the reception instead of Champagne.

The Old Rules

If you’re sticking with tradition then each side should split the costs of the wedding budget 
as follows...

	Bride’s side pays for... Accommodation of the bride’s attendants Gifts for the bride’s attendants Bride’s gown and accessories Church costs Flowers Groom’s ring Invitations Music Photography Reception Transport for bridal party Videography Wedding planner		Groom’s side pays for... Accommodation for groom’s attendants Bride’s engagement ring and wedding ring Bride’s bouquet and buttonholes Gift for the groom’s attendants Honeymoon Marriage licence Transport

More wedding budget tips

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Have your say...

“For our wedding in July, we are paying for everything apart from the cake, my Mum is paying for that.” - Nicki

“My parents are paying for the majority as my father is very traditional and believes the bride’s family should pay but my father-in-law-to-be is paying for our wedding cake. My grandparents are paying for the organist and choir for our church service, as my grandad used to be a choirmaster and is chuffed we’re having a traditional church ceremony! We paid for our rings and honeymoon.”
 - Sarah Rose aka Ros3y on the forum

“We are paying for everything. Just having our family there is enough – and it means I get to do everything my way.”

 - Naomi

“Both sets of parents gave us £1,000 towards our wedding budget which helped towards the dress and venue, but we paid for everything else.” - Beck

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