What are the groom's parents' obligations regarding engagement and wedding?

We are planning to host the rehearsal dinner and help with airfare for the honeymoon. Are we supposed to host an engagement party? Also, any suggestions on a rehearsal dinner other than a visit to a restaurant? Anything more creative? Help. It's our only son & we want it to be perfect.

For awhile it's been the rehearsal dinner and the liquor bar (if any). Times have changed so I found you an informative site you may be interested in. If you haven't already, think about a get together with the kids and future in-laws so there will be no misunderstandings, which could easily cause tension in an otherwise wonderful occasion. Weddings are stressful enough.
Congratulations to you and yours.

Most couples these days are paying for everything. Your son is very lucky to have parents who want to help out with the wedding. Usually the grooms parents have the rehearsal dinner. Basically you can pay for whatever you want. If you can help them out that would be great.

No parents have any obligations regarding the engagement.
For the wedding, these days most couples are working, so they handle the expenses themselves. I've never heard of a rehearsal dinner at a restaurant, usually it is held at someone's home.
Congrats to you, and don't strive for "perfect" - that courts disappointment. Just enjoy the journey --- and pick a hot dress!

If you want it to be perfect, then I would consult with your son and his future wife. Only they can tell you what they want. As for the engagement party, that can go either way. Or the bride and groom can plan it.

getting a MS manners book might be a good idea because i know there are a lot of little things i probably don't know about. But traditionally, the parents of the groom have few things they are "obligated" to. Typically they pay for the rehearsal dinner and they also pay for the alcohol at the reception. in this modern day, this is not necessarily required.

In my family, we generally reserve a back room at a restaurant. though we do have a nice tradition that everyone at the dinner tells a story about either the bride or the groom. generally it's a child hood story.

My brother's rehearsal dinner was a big backyard cookout. It was great. My cousin had a pizza party, that was fun too. The nice thing about rehearsal dinners is that they can be anything you want. Most people aren't aware that the national parks usually have banquet facilities. You can have a party at the Liberty Bell, Mt. Rushmore, etc. Talk to your son and his fiance and see if they have any dreams for the rehearsal.

Here's the thing about engagement parties, most people don't know what they're really for. An engagement party is supposed to be the affair when your engagement is announced to your friends and family (except for your immediate family who should already know). Most people have started using an engagement party as an excuse for gifts since everyone invited already knows, which is just tacky. You don't have an engagement party if everyone already know your engaged. That said, traditionally the bride's parents host and pay for an engagement party. The bride's mother sends out invites to a dinner party or barbeque or luncheon, whatever type of party it's going to be. The bride's father announces the engagement at some point during the beginning of the party.

it is all the brides family financial responsibility, remember the dowry always came from the bride not the groom

The thing about being Mexican, is the men have to pay for EVERYTHING to show the brides family he can provide for her. Yup dress included.

nothing...they have no obligations...whatever you want to pay for is all you have to pay for.

The grooms family is usually the ones to have the rehersal dinner.

It would never hurt to have a social so all the family members can meet and mingle (get to know one another).

It is always awkward when it is time for everything to happen and no body knows the other family members.

Sometimes you can do everything by the book and still not do it right.

Good Luck!

My hubby's parents had a completely authentic hawiain bar-b-cue for us and everyone loved dressing up and having a ball, have you thought of some kind of them party for the rehearsal, something memorable that your son and has bride would love. sounds like you are doing everything the way it should be, he is lucky to have such thoughtful parents.

Your obligations are none but you want to do something for your only son I understand. Before you plan an elaborate rehearsal dinner have a family dinner party. At home or a restuarant is fine. the dinner party is just for parents and siblings. Its to meet and greet if you haven't sone so yet and to inform her parents of your intention to host the rehearsal dinner. If your son has not given her her a ring yet, an engagement party can be held where he will present her with the ring in the presence of family and friends. One of my cousins had a luau for a rehearsal dinner. Another had a BBQ. I had a hell of a party we were all tired the next day.
If you live someplace where seafood is available rent a hall, caterer and decorator (if needed)and have " The one that didn't get away" themed rehearsal dinner. Use fishing items for decorations such as a 'hook', 'line' and 'sinker' fishing pole, fishing net, blue or fished themed table cloths. Your dinner menu will be seafood and the appropiate side dishes. just a thought.

The bride and groom are the only ones with obligations these days. You can't count on some one else to pick up the tab. Those days are gone.

i'm getting married in April....My understanding or what i've read is that the groom or groom's family pays for:

- rehersal dinner
- bride's bouquet
- groomsman gifts
- groomsman flowers
-honeymoon (both can pay for this though)

this is flexible though. You and your finacee decide what works best for you.