The answer to who pays for hotel rooms for wedding guests is the hosts. However, we will also discuss some other considerations as it’s possible for other people to be responsible for the rooms where the wedding guests will stay.
We have also discussed who pays for the honeymoon at a wedding in another article if you’re curious about the expectations regarding this wedding expense. Please browse our blog for more etiquette guides on wedding financial matters.
Who Pays For The Hotel Rooms Of Wedding Guests?
The host of the wedding is expected to pay and reserve the hotel rooms for the wedding guests. Traditionally, you will block the hotel rooms, so the guests will all be in the same location.
However, it’s also possible for the guests to chip in with the fees, and some even pay for their rooms entirely. And depending on the family discussions, the bride and groom pay for the activities of the wedding guests, such as tours and trips, especially if it’s a destination wedding.
If the budget is tight, the hosts or parents of the bride and groom can also choose to only pay for the accommodations of the wedding party. Therefore, those not a bridesmaid and groomsmen are expected to pay for their hotel room.
But if you have a relative or friend that wants to be at the wedding or is essential for you to attend, it’s acceptable that the bride and groom pay for their accommodation expenses.
To avoid conflicts, especially with accommodation payments, be discreet if you only pay for select people. You don’t want to unintentionally make some friends and family jealous or have the person you paid for embarrassed.
Do Guests Pay For Hotel At Wedding?
The wedding guests can pay for their hotel, but the common practice is having the hosts pay for the accommodation expenses. So who are the hosts of the wedding?
Traditionally, the bride’s family hosts the wedding, and they pay for most of the expenses at the wedding. This includes the lodging of the wedding party and even transportation on the wedding day.
However, it’s also possible for the bride’s family to only pay for the bridal party’s rooms, then the groomsmen’s accommodations are paid for by the groom’s family. Both parents of the bride and groom can even share the accommodation expenses of the guests.
But as mentioned earlier, as a guest, you can also pay for your hotel. You might want a different hotel because of personal trips, you’re not a member of the wedding party, or you feel that it’s more tasteful for you to pay for your accommodation.
Is it rude to ask wedding guests to pay for accommodations?
It’s not rude to ask wedding guests to pay for accommodations, especially if you didn’t indicate in the invitation that you’re providing the accommodations. However, it would be tacky to mention that accommodation is provided but ask the guests to pay when they arrive.
The best thing to do is to be transparent with the expected expenses, including those you’ll pay for and those that the guests must pay for themselves. Both parties should be considerate with their budget, and there are no specific rules to follow on who must pay for what.
For example, if you know that your guest has personal financial limitations, it would be not polite to expect them to attend a wedding in another city or abroad. The bride and groom can also chip in with the accommodation expenses to ensure that everyone who must be included can attend and have somewhere to stay.
What Should Wedding Guests Pay For?
The expected expenses of wedding guests depend on many factors. For example, some weddings might or might not cover your transportation and accommodation fees.
You might also pay for your own wedding outfit, which is highly likely if you’re not part of the wedding party. But, of course, the guests will also pay for and are responsible for their wedding gifts.
Depending on your relationship with the bride and groom, you might also be asked to share the expenses for the wedding shower and other pre-wedding events. Here is who pays for the wedding shower, for example.
Do Wedding Guests Pay For Their Meal?
Wedding guests are not expected to pay for their meal as it would be tacky since you invited them to the event. However, in the reception where they might be a bar, some couples opt to have a cash bar instead of an open bar.
Expect that you’ll pay for your drinks in a cash bar at the wedding. But as for the meal themselves, the hosts or bride or groom will pay for it.
How Much Do Guests Pay For Destination Weddings?
Guests might pay for their hotels and trips to a destination wedding, especially if they’re not part of the wedding party. And even if the accommodation is included, you should be prepared to pay for your room service and other personal matters.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We found out who pays for hotel rooms for wedding guests, who are the hosts.
However, it’s also possible for the couple or the guests themselves to pay for the accommodation, especially at destination weddings. Just be clear with your invites to avoid miscommunications regarding the expected payments of the attendees.