Do Grooms' Parents Pay for the Honeymoon? Real Rules in 2025

There’s no law that says grooms’ parents have to pay for the honeymoon. But if you’ve ever sat through a wedding planning meeting where someone dropped the question, ‘So, are your parents covering the trip?’ you know how awkward it can get. The truth? There’s no single answer. It depends on your family, your money, and what everyone’s comfortable with.

Who traditionally pays for the honeymoon?

The old-school rule was simple: the groom’s family paid for the honeymoon. Back in the 1950s, when weddings were more about social status than personal choice, the groom’s parents often covered the big expenses-venue, catering, and yes, the honeymoon. It was seen as a gift to the couple to start their life together. But that’s not the norm anymore.

Today, most couples pay for their own honeymoon. A 2024 survey by The Knot found that 62% of couples in the U.S. and Canada cover the cost themselves. In Australia and New Zealand, the number is even higher-nearly 70%. That’s because modern couples often live together before marriage, have student debt, or just don’t want to rely on family money for something so personal.

So if you’re wondering whether your future in-laws should chip in, the real question isn’t tradition-it’s communication.

When do grooms’ parents actually pay?

There are still situations where grooms’ parents help out with the honeymoon. It usually happens when:

• The couple is planning an expensive trip-think Bali, Italy, or a luxury resort-and their budget doesn’t stretch that far.
• The parents have offered to help with wedding costs and see the honeymoon as part of that.
• The family has a history of giving big financial gifts for milestones-like college, a first car, or now, a honeymoon.
• The groom’s parents want to show support in a tangible way and feel proud to contribute.

But here’s the catch: if they’re offering, they’re not obligated. And if they’re not offering, that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Some families just don’t talk about money. Others have their own financial limits. A quiet ‘no’ doesn’t mean rejection-it just means they’re not in a position to give.

What about the bride’s parents?

It’s common to assume the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, and the groom’s parents pay for the honeymoon. But that’s a myth. In reality, both sets of parents are often contributing to the wedding itself-sometimes equally, sometimes not. And when it comes to the honeymoon? Most families don’t split it that way anymore.

Some couples get help from both sides. One parent might give $2,000 toward the trip, the other might cover the flights. Others get a lump sum from one side. And plenty get nothing. There’s no rulebook. What matters is what works for your family.

How to bring it up without awkwardness

Asking for money is hard. Asking your future in-laws for money? Even harder. But you don’t have to be awkward about it. Try this:

1. Wait until after the wedding is booked and you’ve talked about overall costs.
2. Frame it as a conversation about priorities, not a request. Say something like: ‘We’re thinking about a week in Costa Rica, but it’s a stretch for our budget. We’d love to hear if you’ve thought about helping with anything post-wedding.’
3. Be ready for any answer. If they say no, thank them anyway. If they say yes, be specific about how you’d use it-don’t let them guess.

Never guilt-trip. Never compare. Never say, ‘My friend’s parents paid for their whole trip.’ That’s not helpful. It’s just pressure.

What if your parents can’t afford it?

If your parents aren’t able to help, don’t assume they’re being stingy. Maybe they’re paying off a mortgage. Maybe they’re helping with their own aging parents’ care. Maybe they’ve already given you everything they could during the wedding.

There’s nothing wrong with planning a modest honeymoon. A weekend getaway to a cabin in the hills, a road trip along the coast, or even a staycation with a nice dinner and a movie night counts. The point isn’t the price tag-it’s the time together.

And honestly? Most couples remember the moments, not the cost. A quiet morning on a beach in Queenstown, a shared pizza in a Parisian alley, or a sunset drive back home-those are the memories that stick.

Modern alternatives to family funding

More couples are finding creative ways to fund their honeymoon without asking parents:

• Registry for experiences: Instead of toasters and towels, ask guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund. Sites like Honeyfund and Zola make this easy. Many guests love giving experiences over stuff.
• Save in advance: Start setting aside money six months or a year before the wedding. Even $100 a month adds up to $1,200.
• Work a side gig: Sell handmade jewelry, freelance online, or do weekend gigs-babysitting, dog walking, tutoring. It’s not glamorous, but it’s yours.
• Travel off-season: Flights to Greece in November cost half what they do in July. You get the same views, fewer crowds, and more money left over.

One couple from Wellington paid for their 10-day trip to Japan by selling their second car and cooking at home for three months. They didn’t ask anyone for help. They just planned it-and it became one of the best decisions they ever made.

What to do if you’re offered money

If someone offers to help with the honeymoon, here’s how to respond gracefully:

• Thank them sincerely-no matter how much they offer.
• Be clear about how you’ll use it. ‘We’re thinking of putting it toward the flight to Mexico, so we can stay longer.’
• If they give more than you planned, let them know how it changed your trip. ‘Because of your gift, we added a day in Tulum-thank you.’
• If you don’t need it, politely decline: ‘We’re so touched, but we’ve got it covered. We’d love to take you out for dinner instead.’

Never feel guilty for accepting. And never feel bad for declining. It’s your honeymoon. Your money. Your choice.

Bottom line: It’s your trip, not their obligation

There’s no moral duty for grooms’ parents to pay for the honeymoon. No rulebook says they must. No tradition holds them hostage. The only thing that matters is what feels right for you, your partner, and your families.

Some couples get a full trip paid for. Others save for years. Some get a $500 gift card. And some just take the train to a nearby town and call it a day.

The best honeymoons aren’t the most expensive ones. They’re the ones where you feel relaxed, connected, and free from stress. Whether your parents help or not, you’ve already started your marriage the right way-by talking, listening, and choosing what works for you.

What if you’re the parent wondering whether to pay?

If you’re the groom’s parent and you’re thinking about helping, here’s what to consider:

• Can you afford it without hurting your own finances?
• Will this gift cause tension with the bride’s parents?
• Do you want to give something meaningful, or are you doing it because you feel pressured?

If the answer to the first question is yes, and the others feel right-go ahead. A handwritten note with a check means more than any fancy resort. But if you’re doing it to keep up appearances? Don’t. Your child will remember your love, not your bank statement.