For The Love of Money!

So before you begin planning any of the details for the wedding there is one importantt question that must be asked... who pays for what? Here is the traditonal breakdown of expenses:

Bride:
~ Wedding ring for groom
~ Wedding gift for groom
~ Gifts for bridal attendants
~ Personal stationary for thank you notes
~ Accomodations for out-of-town attendants

Groom:
~ Bride's engagement and wedding rings
~ Wedding gift for bride
~ Gift for best man and ushers
~ Groom's wedding attire
~ Bride's bouquet
~ Mothers' corsages
~ Boutonniers for attendants and father
~ Marriage license
~ Clergyman's fee
~ Honeymoon expenses

Bride and Groom:
~ Gists of appreciation for parents or others who helped with the wedding
~ Expenses of items desired which have exceeded original budget allocations

Looks like the bride got off easy! Now onto the families and attendants...

Bride's Family:
~ Bride's wedding gown and accessories
~ Ceremony cost: venue, music, rentals, etc
~ Reception cost: food, beverage, entertainment, rental items, decor, wedding cake, ...
~ Wedding gift for the couple
~ Wedding invitations, announcements, and mailing costs
~ Bridesmaid's bouquets
~ Transportation for bridal party
~ Bridesmaids' luncheon
~ Photography (groom's parents may chip in)
~ Personal wedding attire
~ Floral decorations

Groom's Family:
~ Rehearsal dinner party
~ Personal wedding attire
~ Travel accomodations for groom's family
~ Wedding gift for the couple
~ Any general expenses they may wish to contribute


The Attendants:
~ Personal wedding attire
~ Any travel expenses
~ Wedding gift for bride and groom
~ Showers given by maid of honor or bridemaids
~ Bachelor party given by best man and ushers

It is typical for the bride to pay for the wedding gift for the groom and for the groom to pay for the honeymoon expenses, for the bride's family to pay for the ceremony and the reception and for the groom's family to pay for the rehearsal dinner, but that isn't to say that that is always how it works. Mix it up if you want!

Pre-Wedding Jitters

Once the question is popped, every woman, now a bride-to-be (yay!), is in full wedding mode. Stress, nerves, and the jitters are just a part of the experience, but in order to counteract those pre-wedding jitters here are some helpful tips:

~ Take time for yourself by being all by yourself (you are about to spend your life with one person, but you are always number one in your life).
~ Deep breathing can help relax your thoughts and brings oxygen to your brain so you are able to think more clearly.
~ Try not to overanalyze. As women we tend to do this and it can be harmful to our health and relationship.
~ If there are problems with your fiance, then address those problems but first take the time to assess if they are short-term problems or if you believe they are long-term (short-term might not be something you need to bring up unless they persist).
~ Remember the beautiful memories you already have shared with your fiance and imagine the ones you will make together in the future.
~ Think back on the moment you first knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with your fiance and why you now cant imagine not sharing your life with them.

Keep in mind that pre-wedding jitters are incredibly common and if you are bride who doesn't experience them, then count yourself lucky! Don't worry that something might be wrong with you for questioning the marriage, it is normal to do so especially since marriage is one of the most important commitments you will make. No pressure, though! When you know, you just know.