8 Expenses Brides Typically Do Not Pay For

Though being a bride can get very expensive, there are definitely some things that brides typically do not pay for.

Brides have a lot going on these days. Gone are the times where mom and dad covered everything on our wedding days. Today, brides tend to be a bit older, and a bit more established. Most couples are paying for the majority of their wedding themselves, some with very little or no help from their families.

Though there are a lot of expenses that can fall on a bride to take care of, there are others that brides typically do not pay for. I say “typically” because every wedding is different. In some cases, certain expenses will not come up. In others, brides have the means to cover every little thing, and are glad to do it. So, the expenses listed in this post are those of a “typical” bride, and a “typical” wedding, assuming there is such a thing.

As you can already tell, this post is going to lay out eight expenses that brides typically do not pay for. I wanted to write a post like this because weddings, and who pays for them, can get confusing. Brides need resources to understand where the line is drawn on what they can expect to pay for. My goal is that this post helps provide that.

Let’s get into it!

1. BRIDES TYPICALLY DO NOT PAY FOR THEIR OWN BRIDAL SHOWERS

Bridal showers are a very sweet event, typically hosted by the friends and family of a bride.

While a bride may have some expenses associated with attending her bridal shower, she is usually not the one who pays for the event herself. She may pay for her own outfit, of course. There will definitely be thank you cards, and postage for them. Some brides may even bring a little hostess gift to the person throwing her the shower. However, brides typically do not pay for the food, fun, or venue associated with the event. Those costs are usually shared by the host, and the bridal party or family who is involved.

If you want ideas for alternative bridal showers, or virtual bridal showers, check out the links provided.

2. BACHELORETTE PARTY ACTIVITIES

The costs associated with bachelorette parties can get tricky to navigate. Depending on the affair, it can all be relatively inexpensive, or it can be very pricey.

Most brides will pay for their own travel, and clothes, for their bachelorette party. Some brides will also cover their food and drinks, if the bachelorette is out of town. Attendees at bachelorette parties typically pay for the fun stuff, and all split the cost of activities the bride will enjoy. This may include tickets to shows, wine tastings, tours, and entrance fees.

If you want some ideas for a low-key bachelorette party, this is a popular post.

3. BRIDESMAID DRESSES

Being a bridesmaid can be very expensive. One of the biggest costs can be the bridesmaid dress.

Now, in some cases, brides will cover this expense for their bridesmaids. However, this usually isn’t the case. Brides are expected to pick out the style, or limitations, of the dress, and bridesmaids typically pick up the bill. Along these same lines, brides typically do not pay for bridesmaid’s shoes or accessories. The one caveat to this is if the bride gifts accessories to her bridesmaids, specifically so they can wear them in her wedding.

Additionally, brides may or may not pay for bridesmaid’s hair and makeup. This depends on the situation, and it can go either way as to who pays for it.

For more resources, this is a blog post on bridesmaid’s dresses, and here is one on wedding party gifts. There are additional details on bridesmaid expectations in this post.

4. ENGAGEMENT RINGS OR WEDDING BANDS

For the most part, brides typically do not pay for their engagement rings or wedding bands.

Of course, in some cases, brides will buy these pieces of jewelry for themselves. It might be that they want a certain style, and their partners are not able to afford it. In most cases, the bride’s partner will buy the rings for her. Sometimes the jewelry is a family heirloom where neither the bride or her partner actually purchases it. Either way, this expense usually falls on the partner.

On the flip side, brides do usually buy their partner’s rings.

5. THEIR OWN WEDDING GIFTS

This one may seem like a no brainer, but we’ll mention it anyway.

Brides typically do not pay for their own wedding gifts. Gifts are gifts, right? They usually come from wedding guests, right off the registry. There may be situations where a bride wants something specific, and treats herself to it as a wedding gift. This isn’t that common, though.

If you want details on setting up a registry, this is the post for you.

6. BRIDES TYPICALLY DO NOT PAY FOR GUESTS THEY DO NOT KNOW

Let me explain this one.

When a bride creates her wedding guest list, she may find pressure to invite friends of her parents, or other acquaintances she does not know. While it’s a nice thing to allow other people to contribute names to your guest list, it shouldn’t be expected for the bride to cover the costs of these people attending her wedding. The same goes for the groom, or anyone else who is getting married.

Long story short on this one. If you have family who is adding names to your guest list, and they are not people you would normally invite, it’s fair to ask your family to contribute to your overall wedding budget so you can better afford these extra guests. If your family refuses to do so, you have the right to refuse to invite those people to your wedding.

7. GUEST TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS

When guests travel to a wedding it can be very expensive, and it’s a cost that brides typically do not pay for.

Of course, if a bride and her partner want to help pay for some wedding night transportation, that’s up to them. For example, we paid for a shuttle to and from our wedding hotel to our venue, for our guests. We did not pay for hotel rooms, rental cars, plane tickets, or cab fare, though. It was clear from the start that if guests wanted to travel in order to attend our wedding, the costs were on them.

8. THE REHEARSAL DINNER

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the families of the couple. It is usually not hosted by the couple themselves.

In some cases, this may not be true, though. Couples are paying for more of their weddings than they ever did in the past. Rehearsal dinners may be included in their budget. However, if possible, it’s worth asking your families if they would cover the expense. There are ways to keep the costs down, if that’s a concern for everyone.

For more tips on rehearsals and rehearsal dinners, check out this post.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Friends, as mentioned earlier, being a bride can be expensive. Luckily, there are quite a few items that brides typically do not pay for. Of course, every wedding is different, so don’t feel bad if you are a bride, and you end up paying for items on this list. It’s your wedding, your way. Happy wedding planning!