Show His Treat Her Treat Dutch Division of Wedding Expenses Not Completely a Thing of The Past THE first date was bad enough who pays for what Does she offer to pay Does he ask herto her herto to help Although couples usually know each other better by the time the engagement comes around than on their first date fate trying to figure out who can afford afford afford af af- af- af ford to pay for what or who ought to pay for what for the wedding can be j just st as difficult a dilemma According to many current bridal magazines couples need to sit down and figure out what plans are realistic based on each of their respective incomes What each partner believes her or his responsibility is c can n be very different than what it was in the past Traditionally the costs of the wedding have been divided up between the bri bride de the the groom groom her family his family and the wedding wedding wedding wed wed- ding attendants The brides bride's first responsibilities responsibilities responsibilities are the grooms groom's wedding ring and gift She buys gifts for the bridal attendants and provides lodging for any bridesmaids bridesmaid that come from out of town The bride covers the cost of her personal stationary Finally she he pays for her physical exam or and/or blood test The groom first covers the costs of oboth both of the brides bride's rings as well as her wedding gift He provides most of the flowers for the wedding wedding wedding wed wed- ding party including the brides bride's bouquet and going-away going corsage corsages for the mothers and boutonnieres for the men The groom also provides gifts for his best man and ushers and lodgings for those coming from out of town He also provides gloves or ties for all the men of the wedding party The groom groom is responsible for obtaining the marriage license and his own blood test He covers any fees for the clergy and pays forthe forthe for forthe the honeymoon The brides bride's family pays for the entire reception including food drinks the wedding cake decorations decorations decorations decora decora- and flowers music and any fees to individual persons including including including ing gratuities Her family pays for the brides bride's wedding attire and for her bridesmaids' bridesmaids bouquets They also provide a gift for the couple The The- brides bride's family also pays for th the announcements and their mailing They cover photography costs for both the engagement and wedding They provide the transportation of the bridal party to the ceremony and reception Her family pays for the bridesmaids' bridesmaids luncheon and may opt to cover the rehearsal dinner as a well wel I. I The grooms groom's family assumes responsibility for their clothing and all of their travel expenses They also provide a gift for the bride and groom His family generally sponsors the rehearsal dinner and may opt to pay for other expenses should they beable be beable beable able to do so The attendants pay for their own w wedding attire and travel ex ex- ex- ex The bridesmaids are responsible for one bridal shower as well as a gift for the couple The best man generally directs the bachelor party although the ushers ushers- may help The men also provide a ac c S V K r c r S. S MJ ti 1 I J A Cake Should Ice the Wedding NEW YORK AP Banish those little nuptial cousins to plastic action figures atop the c cake e and dont don't let the baker get by with packaged filler and frosting gunk Its It's the cake of your life and its it's got to be thereal the thereal thereal real thing said a New York City pastry chef To me wedding cakes represent represent represent sent the purity of the bond between between between be be- tween man and wife said Ernes Rich pastry chef at a popular wedding reception lo locale locale locale lo- lo cale in Manhattan When considering a wedding cake the most important factors 1 are a me the couple coupie likes originality and quality The bride and groom should wor work i f ww pastry chef or designer to en ensure that thaI everything is to their liking liking liking- from ingredients ingredients' to colors to design Its It's and their day and everything should be as they want it Rich said A wedding cake doesn't have to be a traditional design says Rich who has created at least original wedding cakes over the years I 1 have done su such h varied creations as a tropical cake with flowers and arid bright colors and a b barnyard theme which included figures of two pigs in w wedding garb on a chocolate chocolate chocolate choco choco- late mud puddle on top of the cake he said According to Rich a good i t mina It ir a couple coupie clips pictures of cakes from magazines ag w. w sources to wi ty U Fy V. V HI dive give him hiJii an an idea of the shape and ana design they want |