I’m in a 4 year live-in relationship with a great woman. Just now, tonight, her 25 YO son called to say he just proposed to his GF of a year.
Already she (the GF) is asking who pays for what. I’m so out of that loop and we were so unprepared for this I just have no idea.
She thinks the rehearsal dinner and that’s it. To clarify, this is good all around. No one is trying to get out of anything… just seeking '06 protocal.
Thanks in advance.
The tradition is (note that this isn’t really all that fair):
Shagnasty basically nailed it. Until the last couple decades, it was generally accepted that the bride’s family paid all the costs of giving the wedding (exclusive of buying or renting clothes for the members of the wedding party). But having the groom’s family give the rehearsal dinner is so common now as to be customary.
By the way, at the time of the engagement it’s traditionally the groom’s parents who get in touch with the bride’s parents to introduce themselves, if the two families aren’t yet acquainted.
Typically that is how it is done in the United States, but even those rules are subject to change and interpretation, depending on the situation. Some women come from poor families so groom’s family offers to pay. Sometimes dresses are rented. Nothing is totally set in stone.
Hey, thanks all.
Glad to know it’s so clear cut.
Steven
Here is a list of who’s traditionally responsible for what and it’s in a handy check list format.