Who pays for wedding reception?

Nowadays, you pay for everything unless someone else offers to contribute.

If you have family that would like to contribute, that is wonderful! But it's not they pay this, and they pay that.

More often than not nowadays, couples pay for their own wedding. If your families offer to contribute, great, but remember that often means they have a say in how the day goes (particularly guest list).

I think that is outdated. Assume you are paying for everything. Set a budget you can afford and if your parents offer to help that's great but no one is obligated to help with anything. Unfortunately lol

Yep, what they say. You pay for everything, and if someone graciously gifts you some money, don't spend it until you've actually got it. These forums are full of people whose parents offered to pay 5k and later dropped it to 1k, or nothing, etc. Don't spend what you don't have.

Unless the families offer, you pay for your wedding. Don't ask for money.

Also, keep in mind, things happen down the line. They may say they're contributing x amount but unless you physically have the money either in hand or in your bank account, have a back-up plan.

P.S. Change your avatar.

We are paying for everything, my sister got married about 7 years ago. My mom paid for the wedding reception and the dress etc....The groom paid for the alcohol and some other things. I didn't want to ask so I'm assuming we pay for all and that's just fine.

You pay for your own wedding. You are not entitled to anything, not even from family. If someone is gracious enough to offer to help with the expenses just consider yourself lucky.

We're paying for everything, but my parents have offered to pay for half my dress, the champagne for the reception and the invitations. Also, my aunts are helping with decorations. It'll be a tight budget, but it'll be a good time regardless

Are you serious? This is 2016. Couples pay for their own weddings.

Um. Never expect anyone to pay anything. If they offer, great, but don't make assumptions. My family graciously offered to pay almost half of the wedding. We're paying the rest. My FH's family graciously offered to cover the rehearsal dinner. I feel lucky, and I would never ever expect it.

You and your partner plan the wedding you can afford and if anyone offers money be aware that money comes with strings. "Those who pay get a say" so ask if it is general fund money, money to make sure their friends are invited, money for a band, or something else.

Op, you can Google the traditional roles previously done by brides family and grooms family for weddings. However, these days you'll find most couples save to pay for the wedding themselves. If someone graciously offers to contribute to your wedding you are very fortunate so be sure to be gracious in return.

I agree with everything the PPs have said. I wish my parents were financially stable enough to help, but they aren't so FH and I are footing the entire bill. But now that you have your answer to "who pays for what?" I will answer what USED TO BE the norm/tradition. "Back in the day", the bride's parents hosted the wedding and reception and the grooms parent's hosted the rehearsal dinner. I THINK that is what you were getting at with your original post. But yes, nowadays, it's definitely more norm that the bride and groom pay. And if you are lucky enough to have anyone offer you some dough to help, then good for you.

You. You and FH pay for your wedding.

If someone is generous enough to hand you a check, that is fantastic! Huge disclaimer though, do not count on money until it's in your hand. Soooo many girls have family that will pay for xyz, then the time comes and they can only do X. Don't put yourself in that position

You seriously asked your FMIL if they were going to contribute? I couldn't even imagine...

There is a "traditional" division of expenses but families are under no obligation to give the money to pay for anything. We have different family members pitching in for various things which ultimately covers the vast majority of the cost, but they offered...I would never ask. But to answer your question, some "traditional" divisions would be that the grooms family pays for flowers, grooms attire, RD, and honeymoon while brides family pays for reception, brides attire, and cake. My dad is covering the majority of the tab and it's DEFINITELY a case of "those who pay get a say" but I'll gladly make concessions for his generosity.

Traditionally, bride's parents pay for wedding/reception and groom's parents pay for rehearsal dinner.

Mom and Dad paid for mine, but they offered. I didn't ask. They set a budget, and we worked through the guest list together. (I wanted my parents and his parents to invite their VIPs, too). His parents offered to host the rehearsal dinner.

They key word is offer. Don't ask.

ETA: H paid for officiant, honeymoon, rings, transportation, tux rentals.

No one pays for anything anymore but you and your fiancé. You should not be asking for money. Whomever would like to contribute, will.

You pay for everything unless someone offers you money. You're an adult and no one owes you a wedding.

Congratulations on your engagement. Please Google proper wedding etiquette as asking your FMIL if they were going to contribute is frowned upon.

In traditional times, the bride's family paid for the wedding/reception, the groom's family paid for the rehearsal dinner and the groom paid for the honeymoon.

Now days, you and your FH pay for everything unless someone offers to help pay. Never ask anyone to contribute to your wedding. Plan for the wedding that you and FH can afford.