The thought of a destination beach wedding can be quite exciting, but just as easily dampened by messy mix ups of who's going to pay for what? It may be your wedding, but are you expected to pay for your guests travel and accommodation too? Here's what to expect to pay for and how to maximise your budget.

Depending on the individuals personal circumstances, you may pay for 100% or 50% of the cost.Listed below is a basic guide to get the money conversation started. Essentially you and your partner (and/or parents) will be responsible for covering the cost of;

• Rings

  Bride and/or her family pay for groom's ring.Groom and/or his family pay for both of the bride's rings.

• Stationery

  Bride and family pay for invitations, announcements, and wedding programs.

• Photography

  Bride and family pay for all wedding photos and video.

• Flowers

  Bride and family pay for arrangements at the ceremonial place and reception, plus bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girls. Groom and family pay for bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men, and corsages for mothers and grandmothers.

• Clothes

  Bride and family pay for bride's dress, accessories, and trousseau (lingerie and honeymoon clothes). Groom and family pay for groom's outfit.All attendants pay for their own clothing (including shoes).

• Ceremony

  Bride and family pay for reception venue if necessary you are on a private beach, you can consider these costs as venue cost. Groom and family pay for marriage license and officiant's fee.

The following can be equally shared;

• A welcome party, including food and drink
  
• The wedding reception, including food and drink
  
• A rehearsal dinner, including food and drink
  
• A morning-after brunch (a friend or family member may volunteer to host this for you as a gift)

You may want to consider adding the following to your list of responsibilities;

• A shuttle to pick up your guests at the airport when they arrive
• Transportation to and from the ceremony and reception sites
• Attendant hotel rooms. According to tradition, the bride and her family should cover lodging for the bridesmaids; the groom or his family should do the same for the groomsmen. If these expenses will burst your budget, tell your attendants their presence is a gift to you. Do be reasonable hotel room rates of $500 a night,may be a little unreasonable expectation.
  
• Travel expenses for VIPs with no other means to make it to the wedding like great grandparents and other elderly relatives or the struggling student bridesmaid)
• Selected activities (a group tour around town or a boat trip)
• Honeymoon Groom and family pay for complete honeymoon.

To avoid any misunderstanding which could ruin your beach wedding day, be sure to communicate clearly to all guests exactly what their responsibilities and limitations are.e.g any tabs at the bar made before or after the wedding day will not be covered by you.

Guest

• Travel (including visa's) and accommodation
  
• Any meals or beverages that are not part of the wedding festivities
• Any non-wedding activities that choose to participate in e.g spa treatments etc.
  

Attendants

• Travel to and from the destination
• Formal wear and accessories
• Hair and makeup or spa appointments
• Food and drinks that aren't part of a wedding event

Once you've got the list drawn up get all parties involved in a discussion ad agree to divide the cost to best suite each party's needs.Communicat! Commuincate! commuincate, if you're not comfortable with your share then speak up, don't take on more than you can handle.

Good Luck

Betsy

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