Covering guest expenses?

I’ve never felt pressured, or seen anyone else pressure a couple to pay for their travel/lodging expenses. Nor have I ever seen or heard of anyone pointing to celebrity weddings as “the norm”. In our social circle, things are still pretty standard in terms of what events are hosted for a local weddings- ceremony and reception for all guests and their spouses/significant others, and rehearsal dinner for wedding party members (+ their significant others), parents, siblings, and Officiant. If there are a large number of out-of-town guests, many couples will host a welcome dinner, or choose to do a welcome dinner in lieu of the rehearsal dinner. I’ve seen brides on the forum say that their bridal party is paying for their own hair and make up services. In our social circles, the couple pays for those expenses.
If we’d had a local wedding, we would have followed those same guidelines. But since we had a destination wedding, we felt it was our responsibility to host at a higher level. In addition to the ceremony and reception, we had a welcome dinner for all of our guests (three course meals of their choosing, plus an open bar), and also hosted an activity that evening. As well as a farewell brunch. We paid for hair and makeup services, and also spent more than “the usual” on wedding party gifts.

Etiquette is a two way street. You’re not obligated to cover hair and makeup for the bridal party and never have been but you also do not have the right to dictate what they choose to do with respect to professional services, where they do it or that they are used at all for that matter, even if you do offer.

In the US the wedding party pays for their own dress, but in return the bride is expected to consult with them for budget and style. Jewelry, accessories etc. are not up to the bride even if she pays. Shoes are personal. A general request for color is OK, but not a specific shoe, again, even if there is an offer to pay.

A meal is proper to provide after an actual rehearsal if held on a different day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. Wedding party, immediate family, officiant and their partners should be included. It is not obligatory to include out of town guests, common as that has become in some circles. Destination weddings are IMO an exception. If you’re expecting people to spend excessive amounts to come with you on your vacation then it’s the least you can do.

Transportation of out of town wedding party members is not the host’s responsibility but according to etiquette and contrary to popular belief, accomodations are, whether provided or paid for.

For a black tie event, you'd typically cover any parking fees.

Gift bags and favors are completely optional.