It’s traditional in the United States for the par- ents of the bride to cover the entire cost of a couple’s wedding. But according to a recent article in Bride's Magazine, this situation is changing. For the first time, there’s a definite trend toward the sharing of wedding expenses. The groom’s family, as well as the bride and groom themselves, are taking on a chunk of the PACK A BRUNC a a financial responsibility. One reason for this may be changing attitudes toward the nature of mar- riage. In this era of libera- tion, a bride’s parents are no longer considered to be ‘“marrying off’’ their daughter. Rather, the wed- ding is seen as the joining of two people, and two famil- ies, with everyone contrib- uting to the festivities. A second reason is PEOGPPPOOPPPOPPGPPPOPPSPPPPPPOIO frankly economic: The cost of a formal wedding these days runs on average around $4,350, according to a 1981 Bride’ s reader profile study. It can go as high as $10-$15,000 in some urban areas. Rather than cut back on their idea of the perfect cel- ebration, many couples and their families are instead finding new ways to meet the expenses. Especially where the bride and groom are on their own and earn- ing money themselves (increasingly common as the average age for mar- riage goes up), it only makes sense for them to pitch in. * Figure from a 1981 BRIDE’S Reader Profile Study The actual dividing up of the costs can be done in ro OPiP OPP POPP dd For The Romantic Bride COME SELECT. % FROM THE 3% {& The perfect wedding rings ® are The Romantics, Art- & Carved designs that cap- 2 ture the romance of bygone: wedding days. Classic mo- tifs of romance are carved $n 14 karat gold with Art- carved mastery of every ex- 3 EU Waoley: JEWELER : 33 E. Main Street Plymouth 779-1281 3o0s000000000000 Bp odo elo fr ofpol lp do de : ; chelor Rehearsal Dinner PC PPPPPRPOPPPHOPSOD several ways. An easy, tactful method is to settle on specific expenses in advance, rather than to just split the cost of the whole wedding down the middle. For instance, the groom'’s family might agree to cover the flowers, the music and the liquor. They would then discuss the gen- eral budget for these items with the couple and have the bills sent directly to them. This eliminates the need for money changing hands or for further talking about costs between famil- ies. L An alternate idea would be for one family to pay for the ceremony (flowers, church rental, limousines), the other to pick up the reception tab. Each family then has complete jurisdic- tion over their part of the celebration. There are many possible arrangements and the options should be dis- cussed openly and early in the engagement so.an agreeable plan can be worked out. It’s also important to remember, that it’s still the prerogative Page 11b of the bride's family to decline an offer of help if they wish. If this happens, the groom’s family can cel- ebrate the marriage in another way, such as host- ing the rehearsal dinner of throwing an engagement party. Incidentally, the idea of sharing wedding expenses is not really a new one. In many countries the practice has been followed for cen- turies. For instance, Span- ish fathers of the bride and groom traditionally issue the invitations and host the wedding together. XB a BGA ER et CC) I NCH ! \ N IX t T SR n N : Xr a a) : atrinonial Ve 5 Nu erse x e . from Franklin Furst Federal. kd 4 XC X i) B Aere is our fond wish for cach groom and bride. ; : NC That always i love, health and wealth you 4 abide. ¥ C4 . Kl B) The first és your duty, the second one, fate. el s The third is the outcome which you and your mate 's 3 Hust rertare by plarnigg and saving together — 3 < And trusting a, good friend to help the endeavor. % : I : Cryoy. your wedding day — then plare to be 5 J A pew Franklin First Federal funy’ J % Savings + Checking « Insured Investing « Loans « Mortgages ‘o '3 : n nd ! i 5) FRANKLIN FIRST FEDERAL iq : SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION —— Crd ak Y PERSONALIZED Cal aio: Shan 8.5 od \ 3.4
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers