Weddingjournalonline.com, the online version of Irelands largest Wedding Magazine - Ireland's Wedding Journal.

For Richer For Poorer WJ’s guide to the 21st century wedding budget

With the average wedding and honeymoon now costing £17,500 - more than twice what it was a decade ago - the modern wedding bill can cause quite a dilemma.
Traditionally the bride's parents were responsible for picking up the tab but with changing social trends there are no longer any set rules about who pays for what.
Society has evolved and because more people are getting remarried, couples are tying the knot at a later age and generally both the bride and groom are working and have money of their own, the financial burden has shifted from the shoulders of the bride's parents.

Today just 30 per cent of brides' parents pay for the wedding whereas 50 per cent of marriages are paid for solely by the bride and groom and 20 per cent of couples tying the knot do so by joint contributions.

THE MODERN WEDDING
The important thing is not to start married life in debt so agree a budget as a couple and stick to it because tying the knot can put a bigger dent in your finances than you expect. Sit down and make a comprehensive itemised breakdown of realistic costs and then prioritise expenses.

After working out the cost of your wedding, notify both sets of parents of your plans and enquire if they would like to contribute towards the day, perhaps they would like to provide a set amount or cover the cost of a certain expense.

Another alternative is to split the bill three ways where the bride's family, the groom's family, and the bride and groom themselves each pay for one third of the budget. Although any contributions should be given as a gift with no strings attached, parents may want some input so be prepared to compromise.

However, with more brides and grooms paying for the wedding themselves, it means that couples have more control over their special day.

A good idea is to set up a wedding savings account into which both the bride and groom can deposit money for the big day, which keeps your day-to-day finances separate, helps you keep track of what you are spending and also makes it harder to dip into the funds.

If you decide to take out a loan for the big day because you are eager to get married or want to top up on your contributions - do not overstretch yourselves! Be realistic about your repayments and how long it will take to clear the debt. Also shop around for the best deals.

* The bridal party pay for their own outfits.

* Send a detailed breakdown of the budgets to both sets of parents and ask them
  to tick any costs they would like to cover. The bride's parents might like to pay
  for the wedding dress; accessories and flowers while the groom's parents may
  prefer to pay for the cars and drinks reception.

* Marry abroad, which provides a prearranged fixed
  price and an escape from the family pressures.
  Couples either pay for it all themselves or the
  bride's father may pay for the wedding package.

* When it is a second marriage for the bride most
  couples pay for their own wedding, however, if it
  is the bride's first marriage her family may want
  to follow tradition.

* Creative friends can contribute by baking the
  cake, arranging the flowers, making dishes for a
  buffet reception, making favours or invites - often
  instead of providing a wedding present.

* If the bride's parents are divorced and have
  remarried and the bride is close to both her
  father and stepfather, if they wish, let them split  
  the cost of the wedding/contributions.

* The bride's family pay for the reception and the groom's family pay for the
  evening reception while the bride and groom pick up the tab for everything else

* Instead of a wedding gift list ask guests to give you honeymoon vouchers.

TRADITIONAL- Who pays for what?

If your parents are traditional and financially secure, some may even have taken out policies or put money away for your special day, then they will probably want to stick with tradition. However, to save any embarrassment make sure a budget is agreed. But remember if parents are footing the bill, as official hosts and sponsors they have the right to dictate a few details.