Before you ask those attendants to be part of your day, it's important to take a look at your budget. While the bride and groom are not responsible for paying for the attire of their wedding party, you still have to consider your finances.

At the very least, each attendant means a bouquet or boutonniere, a meal at the rehearsal dinner and at the reception, transportation expenses to the reception, and a gift for participating.

Then, too, it's important for the bride and groom to think about how expenses may add up for their attendants. Each attendant must pay for the dress or the rental tux, special shoes, and accessories. There may be transportation costs and possibly even hotel stays.

Attendants may have to miss work to attend the events or at the very least, time to attend rehearsals and so on. Therefore, it's important for the bride and groom to carefully look at budgets — both theirs and those of their prospective attendants.