We often discuss the costs of getting married, but those costs extend beyond the bride and groom. Being a guest at someone else’s wedding can really add up! So, let’s have a look at some of the costs you need to consider if you’ve been invited to any weddings this year…
The Cost of Being a Wedding Guest
According to Experian, the average cost of attending a wedding in 2024 was £451, which is 19% of the average UK monthly salary.
The cost of attending a wedding has led to nearly 19% of guests having to decline wedding invitations.
Transportation
Whether you’re travelling by car, train, or even plane, transport is something that needs to be considered. Even if you live nearby to where the wedding is held, you might need to get a taxi back, if you’re going to be having an alcoholic drink.
For those attending weddings abroad, your costs are likely to be quite a bit higher. According to Aviva, the average expected cost of attending a wedding in 2024 was £999!
Accommodation
Accommodation can be a significant expense when attending a wedding if it’s not close to where you live, but the price will of course vary based on location and the type of accommodation you choose.
Booking in advance can potentially save you money, as can sharing an accommodation, such as renting an apartment to share with other guests.
Dressing to Impress
The average cost of getting an outfit to be a guest at a wedding was £92 in 2024. The outfits we wear to weddings aren’t usually in our day-to-day wardrobe, so this can put us under pressure to buy new clothes.
However, don’t forget that it’s perfectly acceptable to wear an outfit more than once! Also, the growth of the second-hand clothing market means that someone else’s old can be your little bit of new…
Wedding Present
Experian found that wedding presents cost the average attendee £103. Some couples put together a wedding gift list, which can save you stress when deciding what to get them, but can also lead to you spending more than you were planning.
Try to stick with your guns, and only spend what you are happy to, rather than breaking the bank to ‘save face’.
Hen and Stag Parties
33% of those attending Stag and Hen Dos felt that the bride or groom did not take the income of their guests into consideration when organising these parties. 11% of attendees even admitted to going into debt due to the money they had to spend at these.
Experian also found that the Maid of Honour and Best man spend on average £211 more than other attendees due to making payments upfront and not managing to get money owed back.
If you’ve been invited on a Hen or Stag Do, try to set a budget early on and be open about any financial constraints you have. If you know you have one coming up, factor this into your monthly or weekly budget, setting aside money especially for that event.