Who Pays for What? Wedding Budget Breakdown for Midwest Couples
Planning a wedding in Wisconsin or Minnesota is exciting, but figuring out the budget can be overwhelming. One of the first steps is understanding who traditionally covers what—this helps reduce confusion and sets expectations. While traditions have shifted over the years, communication with family early on is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page. Here’s a breakdown of typical wedding expenses and some tips for keeping your wedding budget in check.
1. The Bride’s Family:
Traditionally, the bride’s family covers a large portion of the wedding costs. This typically includes:
Venue & Reception: The cost of renting your venue and catering, including food, drinks, and reception décor.
Wedding Dress & Accessories: The bride’s dress, shoes, veil, and other accessories.
Bridal Party Attire: Dresses and accessories for the bridesmaids, though sometimes the bridal party contributes.
Flowers: Bouquets, boutonnieres, and floral décor.
Photography/Videography: Professional photographers and videographers to capture your day.
Entertainment: DJ or live band services for the reception.
2. The Groom’s Family:
The groom’s family is often responsible for the following:
Rehearsal Dinner: The dinner held the night before the wedding.
Groom’s Attire: Suit or tuxedo for the groom, as well as accessories.
Groomsmen Attire: Costs related to tuxedos or suits for the groomsmen.
Transportation: Transporting the wedding party to and from the ceremony or reception.
3. The Couple:
More and more couples are taking on a bigger role in their wedding costs. Things you may need to cover include:
The Honeymoon: The couple typically funds their honeymoon getaway.
Wedding Rings: Both rings are often covered by the couple.
Wedding Planner or Coordinator: Couples often invest in a wedding planner or coordinator (like us at Northwoods Event Services) to manage all aspects of the wedding.
Vendor Tips: Tips for your vendors, including photographers, caterers, and entertainment, are usually covered by the couple.
Additional Décor: Any personalized items or décor beyond what’s included with the venue or provided by family.
4. Modern Approaches to Wedding Budgeting:
While these guidelines are helpful, today many couples prefer to share costs in a way that feels more flexible and collaborative:
Discuss Early: Be sure to have conversations with both families as early as possible to ensure everyone is on the same page about expectations and contributions.
Split Costs Based on Priorities: Some couples decide to divide costs depending on what’s most important to them, whether that’s photography, the venue, or the catering.
Use a Budget Workbook: At Northwoods Event Services, we provide our clients with a personalized wedding budget workbook. This helps you track your expenses, stay on top of payments, and avoid last-minute surprises.
Tips for Managing Your Wedding Budget:
Clarify priorities early: Work with your families to decide which expenses are most important to each party.
Check vendor websites for discounts: Many vendors offer special promotions or discounts through their websites, so be sure to check for deals.
Trim the guest list: A smaller guest list is one of the easiest ways to keep your budget in check.
Watch out for DIY costs: Sometimes DIY projects can become more expensive than expected. Be realistic about the time and cost involved.
Conclusion: Stay On Budget with Northwoods Event Services
Wedding planning doesn’t have to break the bank. By communicating openly with your families about who’s covering what and using a personalized budget tracker, you can keep your wedding costs in line. At Northwoods Event Services, we specialize in making the planning process seamless and stress-free. With our expert guidance, budget workbook, and wedding day coordination, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your wedding day is in capable hands—and within your budget!