3 Sneaky Wedding Costs Guests Always Forget (and How To Avoid Them)
You’re so thrilled that your favorite cousin finally found their person. You want to go all out at their dream wedding — but you remember the financial devastation of your bestie’s big day last year. The bank statements revealed that being a wedding guest and maintaining your budget can feel like opposites that don’t attract.
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You didn’t plan on all the sneaky costs of attending a wedding, and they quickly caught up with you. Being aware of these hidden expenses can help turn your desire to save money while still having a good time into a true enemies-to-lovers tale.
To help you understand how it works, MoneyLion asked Zoe Burke, a leading wedding expert and head of brand at Bridebook.
The Costs of So Many ‘Smaller’ Events Add Up
Burke said many people are caught off guard by all the smaller expenses associated with attending a wedding. Sure, they plan for the outfit and the gift. But have they added up the cost of all those bachelor or bachelorette parties, engagement showers, morning-after brunches or even the taxi ride home?
“Weddings have quietly become a multi-event commitment,” Burke said. “The on-the-day stuff like cash for buying drinks at the bar, a contribution to the group taxi, the obligatory pizza order or room service when you’re back at the Airbnb or hotel room is what tips a ‘manageable’ wedding into something edging on the brink of debt.”
Burke encourages guests to remember they don’t have to attend everything if it’s going to crush their budget. Plan on being at the wedding, of course. After that, figure out what matters most to you.
“A close friend's bachelorette party is worth saying yes to, but a destination party for someone you went to college with eight years ago is one you’re allowed to politely decline,” she said.
Travel Transfers Can Take Your Budget for a Ride
You’ve booked a flight and hotel stay for a wedding out of town. You’re feeling very organized and mature. But then you realize the venue is an hour away from the nearest town — and the rideshare you book at 1 a.m. is going to cost as much as another small wedding gift. That’s the scenario Burke wants guests to consider ahead of time.
All the fees associated with travel transfers — and other unexpected expenses — can really take your wallet for a ride. She suggested getting on the wedding WhatsApp or group chat to see if the couple plans to provide shuttles and teaming up with other guests on transfers and accommodations. That includes splitting the cost of an Airbnb stay, which she called “the single most effective wedding guest hack there is.”
Looking Good Can Cost a Pretty Penny
Burke offers another common scenario: You’ve got a new dress or suit. Of course, you need new shoes or a chic tie, as well as a small bag. By the time you’re done, your outfit has doubled in price.
“Then there’s the preening bit: the blow-dry, the gel manicure, the spray tan, the brow appointment, the lash lift,” Burke said. “None of it is essential, but it all gets bundled into ‘the wedding’ in our heads.”
For Burke, guests often spend almost as much getting ready as they do on their outfits. She’s grateful for the rise of the “outfit repeating” trend on TikTok, which she said has “done wonders for guest budgets and the planet.”
Her biggest wedding fashion-related tip? Don’t stress if you’ve already worn an outfit you love to another wedding. You can always switch things up by swapping accessories and shoes.
“Anyone judging you for re-wearing an outfit to a wedding has bigger problems than your wardrobe,” Burke said.
Expert Tips for Saving Money During Wedding Season
To help wedding guests embrace their own love of saving money during wedding season, Burke shared her best tips for avoiding those sneaky costs.
Budget for the whole season, not individual weddings. “Sit down in January, look at the save-the-dates and work out what you can actually afford across the year — then make choices accordingly,” Burke said.
Be honest with the couple. If you can’t afford to attend the big parties, other events and the wedding itself, say so. “Anyone worth being friends with would rather you come to the wedding than blow your savings on the other bits that matter less,” Burke said.
Remember what you’re actually there for. “You’re not being judged on your outfit, your gift or your accommodation choices — you’re there because two people you love want you in the room,” Burke said. “Lean into that, and the rest gets a lot easier.”
Now these are easy tips anyone can fall in love with.
The Bottom Line
Your budget doesn’t have to treat the bridal march like a dirge for all your hard-earned cash. Understanding the costs that can sneak up on you allows you to plan for them and avoid them. We can help you save money, but when it comes to being on the dance floor, well, you’re on your own.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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