New Survey Reveals That 30% of Guests Take on Debt to Attend Weddings

Being invited to a friend or family member’s wedding is a huge honor—but it’s also a financial burden for many. From buying a dress code-approved outfit to booking overnight accommodations, attending the festivities is usually a costly endeavor. And many wedding guests even go into debt to cover the associated expenses, suggests data from a new LendingTree survey, which was released on May 13, 2024. The researchers polled 2,000 Americans and came to this startling conclusion: Of the 54 percent who attended at least one wedding in the past five years, 31 percent took on debt to do so—and 23 percent of that number took on $2,500 or more.

Based on the survey, 43 percent of the responders spent an average of $100 to $499 to attend a wedding, while 29 percent spent at least $500 and 12 percent spent at least $1,000. Some of the expenses that guests tend to cover are airfare, hotel accommodations, clothing, and gifts, among others. Understandably, those invited to a destination wedding are more likely to take on debt than those who are headed to a local event since they have to cover travel and lodging, in addition to the other common expenses. Another one of the reasons why wedding guests tend to spend more money than can afford is due to expectations and pressure, mainly from family (37 percent), followed by friends (28 percent) and the couple (26 percent). However, LendingTree notes that 74 percent of those who borrowed many said it was worth it—especially if it was the wedding of an immediate family member or close friend.

Even though many wedding guests believe that going into debt for a meaningful affair is worthwhile, the results also demonstrate that for some (12 percent), the expensive affair impeded their relationship with the couple. Their friendship with the ones getting married was especially severed if the invited individual initially accepted the invitation but didn’t show up. For some, the estimated cost to attend even discouraged them from making an appearance—34 percent admitted to RSVPing “no” due to a pricey bill. A majority of those who declined the invite due to financial factors (69 percent), however, were honest with the couple about their reasoning. 

While weddings are definitely expensive for the average guest, they’re even more costly for members of the wedding party. Out of every responder who took on debt to attend a wedding in the past five years, 74 percent said they felt the need to borrow money to afford pre-wedding affairs, such as the bachelor or bachelorette party and bridal shower, and all of their ensuing costs like travel, accommodations, and outfits. Some (27 percent) even turned down the honor of being a wedding party member due to the amount of money needed to fulfill the role.

Whether they’re a member of the wedding party or an average guest, attending a destination wedding or a local celebration, 89 percent of the Americans who participated in the survey agreed that weddings are getting too expensive. Based on these findings, LendingTree suggests a few ways that couples can keep costs down and therefore alleviate the stress and pressure associated with affording nuptials. For instance, 30 percent of guests prefer attending a wedding over a holiday weekend since they don’t have to request time off of work—which can help make paying for the event less cumbersome. And some (32 percent) would rather wear casual attire, which means they won’t necessarily have to spend money on a new outfit. 

For guests who are struggling to afford a wedding, Matt Schulz, the author of Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More: How to Take Control of Your Financial Life, recommends a travel rewards credit card for destination weddings, which will save you a few bucks (as long as you don’t spend more than you can afford). Schulz also advises teaming up with other wedding guests to alleviate the financial burden, whether it’s sharing a room or splitting a rental car. Finally, Schulz suggests opening up about the situation to a trusted friend or family member, who may lend you some money or, at the very least, offer emotional support.