It’s not only expensive to throw a wedding, but it can also get pricey just attending one. In fact, the expense of going to a wedding climbs in direct proportion to how close you are to the bride and groom.
If you’re just a friend, you’ll spend an average of $372 on the event including gift, travel, any secondary parties and clothing-related costs, according to a 2018 survey.
If you’re a close friend or relative who doesn’t make the cut for the wedding party, you will spend an average of $628, and if you’re actually in the wedding that number climbs by $100 to $728.
Those are big numbers, and they explain why sometimes people have to decline a wedding invitation. In fact, nearly 20% of Americans admit they have turned down a wedding invite, according to a new report from Bankrate.
The wedding strain
It’s not easy to turn down a wedding invitation, as by doing so you risk offending one or both members of the couple getting married. That does not mean you should accept an invite to a wedding that you simply can’t afford. The majority (seven out of nine) of wedding experts consulted by Bankrate said that finances were a viable reason to turn down an invite.
“Not only are weddings expensive for a couple to plan, they can be a budget-buster for guests, as well,” said Bankrate analyst Kelly Anne Smith in a press release. “A person should not risk going into debt in order to celebrate the occasion with friends or family.”
If you don’t go to the wedding, you may still incur some expense, as 57% of those who would decline the invite said they would send the same gift as if they had gone. Another 17% said they would send a lesser gift, while 25% of respondents said they would not send a gift if they don’t attend.
Choosing not to attend a wedding — even when it’s for valid financial reasons — can cause negative fallout. About one-third (30%) of survey takers said that not attending a wedding due to its cost strained their relationship with the marrying couple.
What should you do?
Be transparent. If you honestly can’t afford to attend the wedding, explain your situation to the bride and groom. Before you do that, however, make sure you actually can’t afford it rather than choosing to not afford it.
The marrying couple may be understanding, but if they see you take a vacation the week after their wedding, well, then they may not be as forgiving of your decision not to go. (Now, if you have already booked something and have nonrefundable charges, be clear about that.)
You can’t control people’s emotions. You should not go into debt or take on an expense you honestly believe you can’t afford just to attend a wedding. If the couple getting married aren’t forgiving, that will be painful, but it’s also telling.
Make your best effort to keep everyone happy, but don’t give in to unreasonable behavior. You should not spend money you don’t have to appease your friends. If you wish them well, send a gift, and explain why you’re declining, and that’s still not enough, you can at least take solace in having done the right thing.
