HOW TO MANAGE THE COST OF YOUR CHILD'S WEDDING

As the price of getting married soars, footing the bill is becoming a true family affair.

-  BY DIANE HARRIS

In recent years, spring has yielded to fall as the most popular season for weddings, with 32% of ceremonies taking place in September and October compared with just 12% in June, according to The Knot, a wedding-planning website.

Another tradition that is quietly changing: who pays the bill.

With the average cost of a wedding now at $36,000, the customary split—the bride’s family pays for the ceremony and reception, while the groom’s family handles the rehearsal dinner—is shifting to a more collaborative approach. “These days, it’s common to see everyone chipping in where they can, including the couple, both sets of parents and sometimes even the grandparents,” says Jessica Bishop, founder of TheBudgetSavvyBride.com. “There’s no one-size-fits-all anymore.”

Hoping to contribute to your child’s dream wedding without breaking the family bank? Here’s what experts recommend: