Yes...I have 3 girls & plan to have another kid. We'll pay for 15yrs of private school & college too...so having high kid expenses is just part of the deal for us barring no disasters. I'll go back to working full-time so that'll bring home a lot of extra.
I would like to contribute but I really don't plan on paying for the entire thing. DH and I got a little help from our parents but were mostly on our own. But then again, we were over 30 when we got married, so our financial situation was pretty good and we were both making good money. And we also got a good chunk of money as wedding gifts. I can't imagine shelling out a boatload of money for DD's wedding, but I plan on paying for as much of her college as possible.
We are currently setting aside a small amount each month to help our future kids pay for college, missions or weddings. When my husband is working full-time, we'll increase the amount. We both paid our own way through college and grad school with a little help from parents. When we got married my parents paid for the reception (decorations and food,) announcements, my dress and photography. His parents paid for flowers, the luncheon and the cake. We just want to be in the position to help our kids out without "robbing" them of the joy of work.
I think the tradition that the bride's parents should pay for the wedding is stupid. Always have. I never expected my parents to foot the bill when I got married and was grateful for every penny that they gave us when I did (same w/ my ILs). Sean and I paid for 70% of the wedding ourselves. Sean's dad actually offered to pay for the entire thing. He said that be paid for Sean's sister to get married, and wanted to be make that same offer to us. I appreciated it, but it made me uncomfortable and we said no.
We have one girl, one boy and another boy on the way. I am all about being fair to my kids, so I would like DH and I to contribute an equal amount to each of their weddings.
We'll see where we are financially at the point. I'd love to give them (3 boys) a lump sum as an early wedding gift but it's more important to us to pay for their college so they can start their adult life with no SL debt. First DH and I have to pay off our debt, get more into retirement, and pay towards their college. It's at the very bottom of my priority list for right now.
I plan to contribute to or pay for any of my children's weddings. Actually, DH and I have talked and we'll likely offer a set sum to each child, which they can use for a wedding if they so choose (or a down payment on a house, education costs, etc.).
Married to my best friend 6/5/10
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.
Re: Do you plan to pay for your childrens' weddings?
I think the tradition that the bride's parents should pay for the wedding is stupid. Always have. I never expected my parents to foot the bill when I got married and was grateful for every penny that they gave us when I did (same w/ my ILs). Sean and I paid for 70% of the wedding ourselves. Sean's dad actually offered to pay for the entire thing. He said that be paid for Sean's sister to get married, and wanted to be make that same offer to us. I appreciated it, but it made me uncomfortable and we said no.
We have one girl, one boy and another boy on the way. I am all about being fair to my kids, so I would like DH and I to contribute an equal amount to each of their weddings.
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.