Who pays for the wedding if the couple is paying for everything themselves?

If you are paying for everything yourselves, you are in charge of the budget and the decisions. There is no traditional rule that applies, so the key is to talk openly about money before you book anything. Decide together what you can realistically afford, and then work out who pays for which items. Some couples split everything 50/50, others split by income, and others put everything into one joint account and pay from there. All of these are fine. The important thing is that you both feel comfortable and that neither of you is hiding financial stress. Start by listing all the costs: venue, catering, outfits, rings, flowers, photography, music, and so on. Then decide what matters most to you both and where you can save. If one of you earns more, you might choose to contribute more, but that is a personal choice, not an obligation. Keep a shared spreadsheet or a simple note of who is paying for what, so there are no surprises later. And remember, you do not have to match each other's spending on every item.