Who Pays for What?

Q. Aside from the wedding itself, what are my fiance and I and our parents expected to pay for during the course of the weekend, and what expenses will our guests cover?

A. You or your parents should pay for the welcome dinner, rehearsal dinner and morning-after brunch and provide transportation—such as a shuttle bus—for your guests to and from each event. Also arrange round-trip airport transportation for the wedding party and, says Michalena Lloyd of the Chicago event firm Vegas to Venice, cover a portion of the cost of the bridesmaids' wedding attire—such as their dresses, shoes or jewelry. Guests typically pay for their airfare, hotel room and incidentals, but, says JoAnn Gregoli, "I find that most people don't want to spend more than $200 per night for a room or more than $600 for a flight. Make it affordable for your guests. If that means subsidizing the cost of the hotel rooms, then factor that into your budget." Or reserve rooms at a less expensive hotel within walking distance of the wedding, Lee says.

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