My daughter just told me they're shopping for rings...?

Sad to say there use to be a set way for weddings and everything that goes with them to be paid. Now everyone can help the bride and groom for their special day.

With that in mind, here is a little tip for you as the mother of the bride:

Wedding gown can be anywhere from $99 (4 dress selection Davids Bridal) to thousands depending on if she falls in love with a designer gown or not. The average price in this economy has been around $300-$500 (do not go by what the tv shows tell you).

If families chip in for the food, cakes and punch then it may cost at the very least $1,000) and yes a BBQ type meal is what most families have.

Right now for a honeymoon idea if they want a destination, is Sandals Resorts. They are offering 65% off, and you can also take advantage of an extra free night. They also have another promotion for a $250 Red Lane Spa Gift Certificate.

If she wants a real bridal gown, you're going to be looking at $200-500 at least. My dress cost $700 before alterations. I bought it at LuLu's Bridal Boutique in Dallas. Dresses there cost $600-1600 ballpark. Their sister store, Stardust, is much more high-end. Stardust Celebrations is Plano's version of Kleinfeld. I also went to Terry Costa, and most of the dresses there I liked were $500-800... though they do have frequent trunk shows where you can snag a sample for less.

I did go to David's, but the place was so crowded, impersonal, and the dresses just looked so CHEAP. If she wants a real bridal gown, I wouldn't recommend David's. However, if she wants something less traditional, they do have some cute options that are very affordable. A friend of mine wore a sweet little tea-length dress from there that cost less than $200. My bridesmaids also got their dresses at David's (I'd recommend chiffon... their "satin" looks cheap), and their dresses were about $150 each.

As far as who pays for what, I'd suggest doing what my parents did: Cut them a check in a dollar amount you can afford, and let them decide how to spend it. It sounds like your daughter wants a very modest wedding, so if you can afford a few thousand, and the entire thing costs less than that (plus anything they get from his parents), they'll be able to bank the extra for an awesome honeymoon!

I think its really nice that you're willing to help your daughter out with her wedding. You seem to have everything all planned out... but how much has your daughter talked to you about HER vision for her big day? I will say that I talked to my mom about wedding plans long before I got engaged, but a lot of things changed when I actually started the planning. So before you get excited about venues and food, let the happy couple get started making some decisions on their own first.

Since you're stressing out already, I think it may be easier on you if you gift her the amount of money you can afford and let them either plan the wedding within those means or come up with their own money to pay the difference (they are adults now, after all). Try not to be a momzilla throughout the planning just because you're paying... no need to add stress to what is an already stressful time.

Traditionally speaking the Daughter's parents pay for wedding. The fiance should pay for ring, and honeymoon. Sometimes the fiance's parents help pay for honeymoon costs, it can either be shared cost or paid by themselves, this is an open ended tradition.

If family making meals and cake the place to marry and reception usually costs around 3 thousand. Flowers cost from 800 to thousands, depending on how much you want to spend. Silk flowers cost much less. A pastor to marry the couple around around 200 dollars. A photographer runs around 1 to two grand depending on who you hire. It is much cheaper to find a friend or family member to take the photos. Another cool idea is at the wedding tables there can be disposable cameras so the guest can take as many photos as they want. Its a fun treat to receive the pictures that the guest's took by looking at the wedding through their eyes. Also the more you invite, the more the cost will be.

Wedding dresses can run 100 on sale at David's to tens of thousands of dollars at a designer shop. I spent 125 on my dress at a Jessica Mclintock outlet store.

Whoa... If he hasn't popped the question, relax. You sound like you're already stressed out.

A lot of the common traditions, like who pays for what, have gone out the window. Wait until he's actually proposed and see what THEIR ideas are for the wedding. Maybe they don't want an outdoor venue or BBQ. Depending on what they decide they want for the wedding will probably decide who's paying for what.

Dresses can be less than $100 if you know when and where to shop (david's bridal does that $99 thing every so often. Or shopping right after prom season, you can sometimes get lucky). Or, have her look around online, find a style she likes and see if you can order it and have it fitted...

Congrats! On who pays, these days there's no set rules for it. It's nice that you want to help her, but don't put your own finances at risk! Many couples today are paying for the whole thing themselves, so be sure you can afford whatever you contribute and if they need more, they can always do this themselves.

Also, a cake and punch reception can be a very good way to keep costs down, but you do need to make sure that this is a midafternoon reception (like 2-5 or so). If you invite people during a mealtime, you need to provide something more substantial. Family doing the cooking is one way to achieve this, but just keep the guest list in line with what you can provide. That's a lot of people to feed, even with family helping. But backyard cookout type events are always fun.

In 2010 many people pay for their own wedding. I am paying for my own, I feel I am an adult and do not need my parents to pay for it. You can get a dress anywhere from 100-10,000 at davids bridal. You can also get a dress at a consignment shop or even rent a dress.

You don't have to pay for anything at all - you pay for whatever you choose to pay.

As far as the costs go, once the engagement is official, just call some vendors and get some pricing.

You're getting a bit ahead of yourself. Let the excitement of the engagement announcement sink in, then you can assist with wedding planning if it is requested.

Parents of the daughter only pay for the wedding.. grooms ring thats it. reception you. Grooms parents pay for the rehersal dinner the night before. I dont know bout the honeymoon.. i think that should be the grooms pay. Not sure about the brides dress.. I would make it simple for her but its up to you to pay for that.