What Are Groom's Parents Supposed to Pay For? Wedding Photographer Costs Explained

Who actually pays for the wedding photographer—the groom’s parents, the bride’s, or the couple themselves? This is one of those wedding topics that can catch families off guard and leave everyone squirming. Back in the day, there was a clear list: the groom’s parents paid for certain things, and the bride’s side paid for others. Today, thanks to changing traditions (and sometimes tighter budgets), those old rules aren’t as set in stone.

Here’s the thing: photographers aren’t cheap. The average wedding photographer in the US now charges anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000—and that price can jump if you want extras like an engagement shoot, extra albums, or overtime at the reception. Deciding who covers this isn’t just about tradition. It’s about what makes sense for both families, and—maybe most importantly—what keeps everyone happy during the planning process.

• Traditional Expectations vs. Modern Realities
• Wedding Photographer: Who Foots the Bill?
• Splitting Costs: Ideas that Work Today
• Tips to Avoid Awkward Money Talks
• Smart Ways to Budget Together

Traditional Expectations vs. Modern Realities

If you ask your parents or grandparents who covers what at a wedding, they’ll probably have a pretty clear answer: the bride’s parents used to pay for almost everything, and the groom’s family just had a few key responsibilities. That old list included the rehearsal dinner, the groom’s attire, his boutonniere, and the marriage license. Sometimes, they’d cover the honeymoon too. But when it came to things like photographers, cake, venue, or music, the expectation was this all fell under the bride’s tab.

But here’s the reality now—it’s pretty rare for families to stick to these traditions word-for-word, and for good reason. Weddings are expensive, and it just doesn’t make sense for one side to shoulder most of the bill. In 2024, a survey from The Knot showed that around 40% of couples pay for their weddings themselves, 52% get help from both families, and only about 8% rely solely on one set of parents. These days, both families usually ask: who can afford what, and what feels fair?

If you’re trying to split things up, here’s a quick look at what traditional and modern contributions can look like:

• Groom's parents (traditionally): rehearsal dinner, officiant’s fee, marriage license, transportation for the groom’s side, flowers for close family, sometimes the honeymoon
• Modern split: both families chip in for big-ticket items like the photographer, venue, caterer, or even a joint family fund
• Couple pays: often for extras, upgrades, and anything above the agreed family budgets

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison for clarity:

Expense	Traditionally Paid By	Modern Trend
Photographer	Bride’s parents	Shared or couple
Rehearsal Dinner	Groom’s parents	Usually groom’s parents, but sometimes split
Venue	Bride’s parents	Shared or whoever can afford
Marriage License	Groom’s parents	Shared or couple
Honeymoon	Groom’s parents	Couple or shared

The bottom line? There’s no rulebook anymore. It’s about open talks, honest budgets, and figuring out what works for everyone involved.

Wedding Photographer: Who Foots the Bill?

Alright, here’s what really matters: when it comes to hiring a wedding photographer, there’s no law that says the groom’s parents have to pay for it. Traditions used to say their main responsibility was the rehearsal dinner and maybe their side of the wedding attire, but that doesn’t always match up with today's reality.

If you look up official wedding etiquette guides like those from The Knot or Martha Stewart Weddings, they’ll tell you that the cost of a photographer has historically fallen to the bride’s family. But that’s just tradition. Nowadays, who pays the photographer comes down to what makes sense for everyone’s budget and what both families feel comfortable with.

Here’s a snapshot of what couples in the U.S. are actually doing right now:

Who Pays	Percent of Couples
Bride's Parents	40%
Couple	35%
Split (Both Sets of Parents)	15%
Groom's Parents	10%

So what’s the takeaway? About 1 in 10 weddings see the groom’s parents picking up the tab for the wedding photographer. Sometimes, it’s a simple offer: “We’d love to take care of your wedding photos.” Other times, it’s part of a wider discussion about how to split big costs, especially if both families have similar financial means.

If your family situation is flexible, here’s a quick way to figure things out:

• Have an honest chat about the budget early—don’t leave it until the last minute.
• If the groom’s parents want to help, ask them to choose a vendor that’s meaningful for them (photographer is a solid pick if they love family keepsakes).
• Consider splitting the photographer’s bill or adding it to a shared pot for key wedding expenses.

The big thing to remember: nobody likes budget surprises. Keep it transparent and you’ll save yourself from awkward conversations down the road.

Splitting Costs: Ideas that Work Today

Gone are the days when just one side covered everything. Most couples now find a way to split wedding costs that feels fair for everyone—not just for old tradition’s sake but for real life budgets. Here’s what usually works best now for handling big-ticket items like the wedding photographer.

Some families choose to split costs right down the middle, no matter what. Others divvy up specific items—maybe the groom's parents handle photography, while the bride’s parents pay for the venue or catering. Either way, transparency is the key. According to a recent survey by The Knot in 2024, about 41% of couples said both sets of parents contributed to the wedding budget, while 17% said expenses were split by category.

"The best arrangement is one where everyone knows what they're contributing to up front. It's less about tradition and more about what each family is comfortable with now." – Martha Stewart Weddings

Not sure how to bring it up? Try this: make a master list of wedding must-haves, with estimated costs next to each. Then sit down as a group (maybe over pizza—it works) and sort out who’s tackling each item.

• Split costs evenly—keep it simple and drama-free.
• Each family picks items they want to sponsor (photographer, flowers, bar, etc.).
• Let the couple chip in for extras they care about most, like a second shooter or fancy albums.

Expense	Groom's Parents	Bride's Parents	Couple
Photographer	$2,000	$0	$1,000
Venue	$0	$5,000	$0
Catering	$1,500	$1,500	$0

If budgets are tight, don’t be shy about asking for package deals or off-peak dates—photographers often give discounts for a Friday wedding or a winter date. The best tip? Write everything down so there are no awkward "who owes what" moments later on.

Tips to Avoid Awkward Money Talks

No one likes talking about money, especially with family. Weddings get expensive fast, and it’s normal to feel weird bringing up costs. But skipping this talk only leads to confusion and surprise bills down the road. If you want everyone on the same page about big-ticket items like the wedding photographer, you’ve got to be upfront—but it doesn’t have to be painful or dramatic.

Try these moves to keep things stress-free:

• Get specific early. Make a list of must-haves, like a pro photographer, and what each thing actually costs. Bring real numbers to the table.
• Stick to facts, not feelings. If you find a photographer you love who’s a bit pricey, share exact quotes. This keeps it objective and avoids it feeling personal.
• Keep the chat small. Don’t involve the whole extended family. Limit money talks to the couple and both sets of parents, so things don’t spiral.
• Use neutral ground. Meet in a relaxed spot—think coffee shop or someone’s living room—where no one feels cornered.
• Write it all down. Put agreements in a shared document (think Google Sheets). This makes it easy for everyone to track who’s paying for what, and it reduces misunderstandings.

Worried the money topic will blow up? Research from The Knot’s 2024 Real Weddings Study found 55% of couples said that “family input” on finances led to planning stress, more than even choosing the venue. You’re definitely not alone.

Common Wedding Expense	Who Often Pays (Traditionally)
Photographer	Bride's family (US), split or couple (modern)
Reception venue	Bride's family
Rehearsal dinner	Groom's family
Bride's bouquet	Groom's family
Wedding attire	Each side covers their own

If you’re feeling stuck, ask your photographer for a simple breakdown of packages and payment timelines. That way, you can show the numbers, avoid surprises, and give everyone a clear picture. You’d be amazed how much smoother things go when no one is left guessing.

Smart Ways to Budget Together

Sitting down to split wedding expenses isn’t anybody’s idea of a good time, but a plan saves a lot of headaches. When it comes to the wedding photographer, almost nobody sticks to the old tradition that only one side pays. These days, about 64% of couples say both families chip in on big-ticket costs, and photo packages are usually near the top of that list. So, how do you keep things fair and avoid stepping on toes?

• Find your real numbers first. Pull quotes from at least three reputable photographers. Compare what’s included: coverage hours, second shooter, digital album, prints, and add-ons like engagement sessions.
• Share your priorities and must-haves. Some couples want lots of posed family shots, others want everything candid. Be honest about what matters, so you don’t pay for stuff nobody actually wants.
• Sit down with both families early. Set a clear total budget for the photographer before booking. Lay out what you’ve saved and what you need. This avoids sticker shock later.
• Split by percentage, not tradition. One side might have a bigger budget, or maybe the couple’s paying most themselves. Decide together if it’s 50/50, 60/40, or something else. Flexibility keeps things clean.
• Decide who pays who. Sometimes it’s easiest to pool money into one account (many banks offer free sub-accounts just for events) and pay vendors straight from there. That way, anyone can see exactly what’s spent.

If you’re wondering what the numbers look like, here’s a quick breakdown from a 2024 survey of US weddings:

Who Paid for Photographer?	Percent of Weddings
Couple Only	41%
Split Evenly Between Families	33%
Groom's Parents Only	9%
Bride's Parents Only	13%
Other/Combination	4%

Don’t forget to write everything down. Even if you trust everyone, a quick email confirmation of what’s agreed on ("We’re splitting the $3,000 photographer cost three ways, $1,000 each") keeps things clear and drama-free. If someone wants to pay for a specific add-on—like an extra album just for grandparents—call that out up front.