We all know planning a wedding is expensive – but, it turns out, attending one might also cost you some cash.
Weddings are expensive – we all know this. A wedding dress, the venue, the flowers, a honeymoon, a hen do: getting hitched can be a seriously pricey business. Just a few months ago a study even found that the cost of a wedding is rapidly rising, with the average cost set to reach £32,064 by 2029.
But spare a thought for the poor guests, who along with not even getting to celebrate their lifelong commitment to a partner in front of a group of their most treasured loved ones, are also shelling out lots of money to attend weddings.
A new survey from Provident, in fact, has found that guests pay on average £1,015 to attend a mate’s wedding, a figure that (unsurprisingly) doubled if the wedding was abroad.
This includes clothes, hen or stag dos, travel and accommodation and wedding gifts.
Maids of honour and best men are likely to spend the most, spending on average £1,211; bridesmaid spend £1,058 on average.
Guests are also likely to spend money on childcare, food and drink and hair and beauty.
Provident have now launched a wedding cost calculator to help people work out how to budget for weddings – and have also given some handy money saving tips for those who balking at the amount of money they’re going to have to spend on weddings.
They point out that staying overnight at a wedding venue can be pricey, and suggest “hunting around for deals on cheaper alternatives in the local area” on coupon and travel sites.
Recycling outfits is also a way to save money (and Provident points out that “after the happy couple comes into the room, no one will look at your outfit anyway”), as well as booking train or plane travel far in advance to cut down costs.
Don’t feel pressurised to attend hen dos, either.
“If the best man or chief bridesmaid is saying Vegas for the stag or hen do, but your bank balance is saying Blackpool, then speak up,” they write. “There’s a good chance you won’t be the only one thinking it, allowing the organiser to reassess the party plans. If you really can’t afford to go, say no. The important part is attending the big day.”
Images: Unsplash / iStock
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