My Daughter eloped and is having a formal wedding. Who pays?

Aw I'm sorry, I'm sure it must've been tough to hear the news.

I have to agree with Heather, above, that most couples pay for their own weddings now. My FH and I have divided up the payments we have paid to vendors so far, and my mom will pay for my dress. However, once we get closer to the wedding when final payments are due, we may ask his parents and his aunt to contribute to something (they have both already offered to do so). I do not think there is anything wrong with you paying for her dress if you want to. I think it would be a nice gesture and to show that although yes, you were hurt by their elopement, you still love and support them. It is really whatever you feel in your heart to do!

I'm sorry, I can only imagine how hurt you must've felt. I can't say eloping hasn't crossed my mind, and we were originally going to have our civil ceremony without any parents until we realized how much our parents probably would want to be there. Sounds like it's might have been a spur of the moment thing for them and they didn't have the time to stop and think about how it might affect others.

I think regardless of if it's a vow renewal or if it's your first time getting married, the responsibility of paying for the wedding is the bride and groom. Parents paying for any part of the wedding or all of the wedding is a gift, not a requirement. The etiquette I followed during this whole process was FH and I planned the wedding that we could afford without asking from help from anyone. If our parents offered help, we graciously accepted, but we didn't expect it.

Everyone was happy to help out, we are paying for mostly everything but my family has helped with some things. My mom bought me my dress for example. If you want to and can help your daughter, I think you should help her regardless. It's not an obligation though.

She's a married woman giving a party. She pays.

It's very sweet of you to pay for the dress and to be comfortable with that because clearly you have hurt feelings from her elopement. Just stand firm moving forward. They are already married and this party in a year and a half is fine, but it is their choice and not necessary since they are already married. If I were you, I would decide how much I'm willing to spend on a dress, let her know that amount and be firm in your decision moving forward.

I'm sorry this happened. It is completely within their right to do so, but I understand having hurt feelings after the fact, especially if you were not aware of it in advance.

The couple is responsible for paying for their wedding/vow renewal regardless of marital status, unless someone offers to help.