When you're planning a wedding there are a lot of situations that arise which you never think about until you're in the middle of them. The bride's and groom's families  always have to figure out who will be paying for what parts of the reception and other wedding-related events.

Sometimes that idea of who's responsible for certain things isn't clear, though. Laura Price of the Times-Dispatch Celebrations section noted that occasionally the bride's family doesn't plan on placing an engagement announcement in the paper, but the groom's fanily still wants to do one. This is her advice if that kind of situation arises:

"In this day and age, I must say that anything goes! If you wish to share your family’s happy news by announcing your son’s engagement, then feel free to do so.

"However, when it comes to weddings, ruffled feathers and hurt feelings cause undue distress, so you might wish to make a friendly phone call to tell the parents of the bride that you wish to proceed with an announcement. If it is something that you feel is important for your family, friends and associates, I am certain they would allow you to publish an announcement. This may be a tradition that is not part of the bride’s family."