Budget
For most couples, the old rules of who pays for what simply no longer apply. Often today a lot of couples are making a big contribution to their own wedding costs. We recommend that couples begin planning the wedding process and sitting down with both sets of parents (or stepparents if they are involved) to talk openly about what contributions each party wants to, and can afford to make.
By dealing with the money issues in a business like meeting, you may well avoid some of the uncomfortable situations involved when dealing with money matters. We have made a list of a basic who-pays-for-what budget plan. This will provide you with guidelines for those budget conversations you'll be having.
Please remember that there are no longer hard and fast rules regarding payment of specific services. The most important thing to remember as you plan your Cape Town wedding is that you will have to decide on a set budget up front. This will make it easier for you to decide how much you have available and will avoid uneasy situations with family that do not have the means to contribute big sums towards the wedding.
The Groom
- Marriage License
- Bride's engagement and wedding rings
- A gift for his bride
- Groom's attire
- Boutonnières for fathers, groom and groomsmen
- Corsages for mothers and grandmothers
- Bride's bouquet
- Accommodation for groomsmen
- Gifts for groomsmen
- Marriage officer's fee
- Groom’s wedding ring
- Groom’s gift
- Gifts for bridesmaids
- Accommodation for bridesmaids
- Personal stationery and thank you cards
- Programmes for the ceremony
- Guest book
- Bridesmaid's dresses (optional)
- Hair and make up
- The honeymoon
- Engagement party
- Wedding photography
- Wedding Videography
- Wedding Invitations
- Wedding co-ordinator (If you intend to hire a wedding consultant, their fee is usually a percentage of your total budget (10-20 percent, depending on their involvement).
- Wedding favours or Bonbonniere
- Bride's attire (dress, shoes, underwear, jewellery etc)
- Ceremony fees and décor
- Reception charges (cake, bar, food, waiters, décor etc)
- Music (ceremony to reception)
- Flowers (ceremony to reception)
- Transport for the bridal party
Even though not an age-old tradition, it has become more common for the groom's family to contribute to the following:
- All drinks and beverages
- Luxury cars for the bridal party
- Photography and videography
- Kitchen tea, hen party or bridal shower
- If prearranged, the bridesmaid will pay for her own dress
- Their own traveling expenses
- A joint gift for the bride
- Hair and make up if not paid for by the bride
- Rental or purchase of formal wear
- A joint gift for the groom
- The bachelor party (stag party)
- Their own traveling and accommodation expenses
- A wedding gift
| Final Checklist | |
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