This is how much it costs to attend a wedding in 2023

A current Bankrate study found that the average wedding guest is looking to spend an average of $611 per wedding this year. With the rising cost of everyday goods, these additional costs can be difficult for many Americans to manage.

How much wedding guests plan to spend on their big day

The amount guests are willing to spend to attend a friend’s or family’s wedding varies by generation. That number was significantly higher among Gen Zers and Millennials. Gen Zers plan to spend the most overall this year on attending weddings ($1,211), followed by Millennials ($1,191), Gen X ($974), and Baby Boomers ($667). Gen Zers plans to spend the most per wedding, on average, at $646 per wedding, compared to $542 per wedding for the baby boomers.

Determined guests may be tempted to take risky steps to cover costs – 18% of respondents said they would credit card debt to be able to participate.

“Like pretty much everything else, inflation and higher interest rates are taking a toll on wedding guests. It’s great to be able to party with friends and family, but I caution against taking on credit card debt,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. “The average credit card costs more than 20 percent.”

What are guests spending on?

The amount you spend attending a wedding and what you spend ultimately depends on you, where the event is taking place, who is hosting the wedding, and more. Some common expense categories include:

• Arrival and accommodation: If you’re traveling outside of your city to attend a wedding, you’ll need to factor in additional costs like plane tickets and accommodation. On average, wedding guests in this category plan to spend about $456, although you could end up spending significantly more if you’re covering travel expenses for you and other family members, or if the wedding involves long-distance travel. You could also pay more for accommodation if the wedding is in a metropolitan area.
• Clothing and care: As a wedding guest, you may want to treat yourself to a more formal outfit and pre-event pampering or grooming to keep you looking your best. On average, guests expect to spend $274 to cover these costs.
• wedding gifts: Your loved one may not be expecting a wedding gift, but you can still choose to give them a gift. The survey found guests expected to spend $321 on wedding favors, but experts say there’s no “right” amount. It’s entirely up to you and your budget. “Sometimes people ponder the formality of the occasion or the length of the friendship, but we believe there is no hard and fast rule as to what is appropriate,” says Neillie Butler, president and owner of Mariée Ami, a women-led wedding design , planning and production company. “Bottom line: it should be convenient for you to do this and never be beyond your means. It’s the well thought-out details that count. Think about creative ways you can show up for your couple what matters most to them.

The budget-friendly way to get through the wedding season

If you’re planning to attend a wedding this year or sometime in the near future, it’s never too early to start planning ahead or looking for creative ways to save. The moment you receive a “Save the Date” email, consider adding a new item to your budget in preparation for the event, if you don’t already have savings for gifts and other voluntary expenses. A few tips to make managing these extra costs easier:

1. Calculate your expenses and include the cost of your wedding guests in your monthly budget. Assuming you’re going to a wedding in a year, save up ahead by putting some money aside saving account every month so that as the event approaches you’ll be able to cover the costs without it throwing you off course budget for this month. Try to get the numbers early to determine how much you expect to spend on travel, housing, clothing, care, gifts, and other expenses. If you have a rewards credit card, you might also want to see if you can use rewards you’ve already earned to save on those costs. This could significantly reduce hotel, travel, rental car costs and the like.
2. Don’t feel pressured to overspend. Your loved ones invite you to witness their big day because what matters most is your presence, not the new dress you put on your credit card or the extra $200 you spent on a wedding gift. Find creative ways to cut costs by wearing something that’s already in your closet or renting a formal outfit instead of buying a new one.
3. Don’t be afraid to “decline with regret.” If attending a loved one’s wedding is going to take a massive toll on your wallet, it’s okay to politely decline the invitation and look for a cheaper way to express your love and support. “Regardless of the reason you can’t attend, have an honest conversation with the couple,” says Butler. “Express your gratitude for the invitation, your genuine enthusiasm for her, and instead offer to send a handwritten note or small token in lieu of your absence. No true friendship should be ruined by a financially responsible decision in today’s world.”

take that away

Being invited to someone’s special day is a nice gesture, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial well-being. If you do agree to attend a wedding, you should anticipate that there will be additional costs involved and try to plan accordingly. When it becomes a financial endeavor, know it’s okay to support loved ones from afar.