The Victorians were the ones who took weddings—as they did almost everything—to a whole other level. The industrial revolution proved that just about anything could be mass-produced, and soon savvy merchants realized that they could convince their wealthier customers not to be content with mere home-baked wedding cakes and homespun bridal gowns… no!
Now, instead of needing bridesmaids to trick evil spirits or as armed warriors, the modern bride needed them to help with invitations, choosing the cake, floral arrangements, her gown, their gowns—you name it. Pretty crafty of those shop owners, huh?
And so the wedding as we know it today was born. Alleluia… or curses, as the case may be.
Tip to Avoid a Wedding Day Disaster
Wedding costs breakdown, or—who pays for what (Remember, this is traditionally. With today’s more modern couples opting to pay for their weddings themselves, things are changing. But up until recently, the norm was the following):
The Bride:
Thank-you gifts for the maid of honor, bridesmaids, and hostess
The wedding gown, headpiece, and accessories
The groom’s ring
Flower-girl basket and ring-bearer pillow
Hotel accommodations for any attendants who will be arriving from out of town
The Groom:
The marriage license
Thank-you gifts for the best man and groomsmen
The bride’s engagement ring
The bride’s wedding ring
Clothing (tuxedo rental) and accessories
The bride’s flowers
Corsages for mothers/grandmothers and boutonnieres for groomsmen
Clergyman/officiant fee
Limousine service/transportation to and from the wedding and reception
Hotel accommodations for any groomsmen who will be arriving from out of town
The Bride and Groom:
Wedding pictures
Miscellaneous accessories (wedding favors, goblets, napkins/ printed items)
Thank-you gifts for the flower girl and ring bearer
Thank-you cards
Any overnight accommodations for themselves
Their honeymoon arrangements, unless another relative or friend offers to pay for it as a wedding gift
Parents of the Groom:
Dress/suit and accessories
The rehearsal dinner
Their hotel accommodations
Bridesmaids:
Dresses and accessories
Wedding shower
Groomsmen:
Clothing (tuxedo rental) and accessories
Bachelor party
Parents of the Flower Girl/Ring Bearer:
Dress, suit/tuxedo rental, and accessories
Hotel accommodations if arriving from out of town
Parents of the Bride:
Everything else
LIZZIE NICHOLS DESIGNS™