As you plan your destination wedding, the question of what gets paid for comes up almost as often as who’s paying for it. Grey areas start to form with bridal party accommodations, flights, and meals. While it’s nice to cover some of these expenses, paying for the whole thing likely will put you way over budget.

Flight and Hotel Expenses

Traditionally, the bridal party covers their own flights while the bride and groom cover the accommodations. The bride pays for the bridesmaids while the groom pays for the groomsmen. However, if there’s someone special whom you want in your party that can’t afford to travel, you can offer to cover their flight cost to ensure they’re at your side.

When your bridal party arrives, you’re expected to cover the cost of a shuttle to pick them up from the airport. However, you don’t have to cover their rental car if they pick one up for the duration of the trip. Regardless, it’s very important to let them know the transportation plans beforehand to reduce stress in the airport.

Hair and Makeup

Covering the hair and makeup of your bridesmaids is a nice gesture, especially if you’re getting ready together. Most likely, they’re not familiar with hairdressers at your destination and are relying on you for where to go. Covering the hair and makeup also makes getting ready a fun, pre-wedding activity to bring the girls together.

Resort Activities

The bride and groom should only need to pay for resort activities that the party does as a group. If the groom planned a fishing trip for the guys, then he’s expected to cover the cost. This way, everyone feels included, especially if they couldn’t afford the activity due to budgetary restrictions.

Outside of group activities, your bridal party is on their own. If the bridesmaids collectively decide to take a snorkeling excursion, they shouldn’t send the bill to the bride. These additional activities aren’t included in the wedding.

Meals

Meals follow the same etiquette as activities. The bride and groom should schedule a few meals around the wedding (like a welcome lunch, rehearsal dinner, and day-after brunch), but the bridal party can cover the rest. Some couples may include a food stipend in the accommodation for their bridal party, but it’s not required.

Talk to your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they’re comfortable with these arrangements. You may need to help more than you planned if your wedding is out of their budget.