Who paid for your wedding?

[pearlieq]

I'm 29 and DH and I were married in 2001.

Our total wedding costs, including honeymoon, were approximately $11,000. My mom kicked in about $2,000. DH's parents contributed about $4,000, plus a simple rehearsal dinner. We paid for the rest ourselves.

Neither family could have afforded to pay for the entire thing, but even if they could have, I doubt they would. My mother didn't even believe in paying for college for me--she felt it wasn't her responsibilty. Her paying for a wedding would have been even less likely!

Looking back, I can't imagine what we spent all that money on! We had a budget spreadsheet on a wedding website and while I can remember the total number, I can't recall how it actually broke down. Our wedding was pretty modest--buffet dinner and a DJ in the church basement for about 100 guests--and the honeymoon wasn't very extravagant either. What did we blow $11k on????

[feh]

Married for 20 years next month...bride's parents contributed about $2000, if my memory hasn't failed. We (wife and I) paid for the rest, which wasn't a whole lot. Simple church wedding, followed by a sit-down dinner of about 150 people in a non-upscale restaurant.

No offense to previous posters, but I just can't see why or how folks spends tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding. Seems like such a waste to me.

[zetta]

We married in 2001 at the age of 30. My parents gave us $10,000. We spent about $15,000 plus the honeymoon. DH's family paid for the rehearsal dinner.

[MonkeyMama]

Married age 23

Married 8 years now.

My parents paid for reception (food) & flowers (the pricey parts of the wedding, for sure).

Dh's parents paid for rehearsal dinner and tuxes

We paid for everything else (DJ, Officiant, cake, dress? We didn't hire a photographer or musician for the ceremony - were friends. We didn't get a limo or anything like that).

We could have easily paid cash for the whole thing. We just wanted something simple. My parent's share might have been $7k (At most). We probably paid under $1k, and dh's parents paid very little.

Our honeymoon was mostly paid for by relative's timeshare and airline miles. We only paid for food and transportation, etc. - 10 days in Florida. I doubt we spent more than $500. We were DINKS then with a lot of cash. WE didn't expect anyone to pay for the wedding. It was very generous of our parents to chip in so much.

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I swear to you - I wanted to take that money and fly our friends/family to Vegas and to elope there. Would have been so fun if you ask me. My dh can be such a girl - hehe. HE wanted the "fancy wedding." To be fair, only my immediate family made it, and he has a million relatives there, so it was important for him to have them all there. I am just not close to my extended family so really rather have eloped!

[KatieNK]

We paid for our wedding. But my parents did give us $1000 as a wedding present which paid mostly for the reception. I'm 26 and got married 3.5 years ago.

ETA: The total for everything, including a 2 week honeymoon on the Gulf of Mexico, was just under $5k. And it was a beautiful wedding and reception! I would NOT have spent any more.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

We paid $15k for our wedding and honeymoon 3.5 years ago. And we married 4.5 years ago in front of the justice of the peace.

If my parents paid they wanted a major say and it would have been an over the top wedding. My in-laws never offered.

[scfr]

Marriage Age, both of us: 28 (long ago and oh so far away ...)

Overseas Reception: DH & His Parents (much of the cost recouped in cash gifts from guests)

US Ceremony & Reception: Mostly me. Mom paid for my dress, and DH paid for a videographer because he really wanted one and I couldn't shoehorn one in to my budget. A cousin most graciously hosted the rehersal dinner at her house.


P.S. - Disneysteve, we told you it wouldn't be long after the Bat Mitzvah that you'd start thinking about the wedding costs!

[skylovessea]

I'm 19 and I've been married for about a year and a half.

We paid for the wedding ourselves because we had a secluded beach wedding. We plan on having a traditional renewal of our vows for our 5 year anniversary, and my husband's parents will likely pay because my parent's financial situation isn't exactly suited for it.

[cooliemae]

My DW(35) and I(29) got married three months ago and paid $18,000. My parents did give us a wedding present of $3,000, that went towards the wedding, but other than that we paid for it ourselves.

We were orginally looking at about $12,000, but you know how things go, and i definately couldn't say no to her. I would have changed a thing!

[arthurb999]

My dad paid for rehersal dinner. ~1K
Brides parents paid for rest. ~20K

i have great in-laws thank god

[Cylenchar]

I paid for the justice of the peace and the outdoor reception hall we rented in the state park to do a barbeque to placate the family members who wanted a wedding to go to. Everything (J.o.P, hall rental and food) cost under $1000.

[ktmarvels]

My parents gave me $10,000 and his parents paid for the photographer and rehersal dinner. My parents also helped out with the hotel stay for the bridal party.

I actually don't know how much we ended up spending on the wedding as that "wedding money" quickly got assimilated to "my" money. Though I will say I entered the marriage with money, so I didn't blow through everything!

[fruitbowlk]

My fil paid for our wedding. And he wanted to pay for the honymoon.

[Seeker]

Traditionally, it should have been my family. But essentially, DH & I eloped ; I did not want the headaches (both time and money) that are involved with organizing this; and I don't like being the center of attention.

So, we paid those expenses oursleves (maybe $2k total) and had a small reception for the close family & friends that attended the wedding...probably around a dozen people (think small )

[ithaca]

Married at age 30. Wife's parents gave us a check for $5k, my parents gave us a check for $5k, and we got $5k in gift money from guests. Total wedding costs added up to $16k so we managed to stay close to our budget and only $1k out of our own pockets