Distribution of Wedding Expenses

In India, the majority of wedding expenses are born by the bride's family.

The expenses in USA are distributed among all parties: bride's family, groom's family, friends of the bride and groom, as well as the bride and the groom. These obligations are worked out among them based on their abilities and desires.

Wedding can be an expensive.

Bride's Family

First Engagement party. There are two engagement parties. First is hosted by the bride's family, the next is hosted by groom's family.
Bridesmaid luncheon
Wedding Reception: Hall rental, food, drinks, decorations, music. This is a major expense. The Groom's family may decide to help by picking up the expenses for alcohol.
Groom's ring
Bride's dress, Bride's parents formalwear
Wedding hall and Wedding ceremony: Fees for wedding hall, Flowers, Music, Photos
Bouquets for bridesmaids, and flower girls
Invitations, Announcements, Programs, Bride's thank-you notes, and personal stationary
Transportation of wedding party from wedding hall to the reception hall
Transportation of out of town guest from the motel to the wedding hall to the reception hall to the motel

Groom's Family

Engagement party. This follows the engagement party given by Bride's parents
Bride's engagement ring and the wedding ring
Rehearsal dinner
Groom's and Groom's parents formalwear
Groom's thank-you notes, and personal stationary
Marriage license, and clergy fees
Bride's bouquet, corsages for both mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for best man and ushers
Couple's transportation to air port for the honeymoon

Groom's Attendants

Best man and ushers host bachelor party, sometimes called stag party
Attendants pay for their own formalwear. The groom may decide to help out his attendants by picking up the tab for formalwear rental.
Attendants buy wedding gifts.

Bride's Attendants

Maid of honor and bridesmaids host bridal shower
Attendants pay for their own dresses including shoes. The bride may decide to help out her attendants by picking up the tab for dress and shoes.
Attendants buy wedding gifts

Bride

Gives wedding gifts to her attendants
Gives wedding gift to the groom.

Groom

Gives wedding gifts to his attendants
Gives wedding gift to the bride.

Flower girls, Ring bearer, Candle-lighters, Junior Bridesmaids, Junior Ushers

The parents of these children are responsible for the cost of their dress/formalwear.

Out of town guests

As a rule, the out of town guests are responsible to pay for their traveling, boarding, and attire expenses.
1. The wedding host should contact and reserve a block of rooms at a local hotel/motel. You may be able to negotiate a discounted price.
2. With the invitation, include the name of the motel, the phone number, room rental rate, the name under which the block of rooms is reserved.
3. Request the guests to directly call the motel to make reservations and pay the charges.
4. The event host must pay and provide the transportation between the motel and the place where the event is being held.
5. In the invitation, ask out of town guests to the brunch.