The cost of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding has some people upset, but here's how it compares to the average wedding in the U.S.
Wedding season is in full swing and if invites are stacking up, celebrating friends and family can turn into a budgeting problem fast.
On top of planning her own September wedding, Bekah Skopil and her fiancé are attending three others this year alone.
While not everyone can afford a $50 million wedding that makes international news, it's well known that even more typical weddings can be expensive for everyone involved. Engaged couples are spending $33,000 on average for their wedding. The cost of joining the bridal party is rising, and being a guest can be pricey as well.
If it's your first time getting invited to multiple weddings in one year, here's what you can expect to spend:
What's the average amount wedding guests spend?
Between travel, accommodations, gifts, and attire, guests spent $610 on average to attend a wedding in 2024, according to a study by The Knot, a wedding resources website.
Of course, the amount guests spend depends on whether they need to travel. On average, guests spend $270 for a local wedding, $840 when they drive to an out-of-town wedding, and $1,680 when flights are required to reach the venue.
The average wedding gift ran guests $150 in 2024, $10 less than in previous years. The cost varied depending on the guest's relationship with the couple. The survey found close friends, family, and wedding party members spent around $160 while casual friends spent $140 and plus-ones spent $120 on gifts.
"We are always trying to debunk that pay for your plate myth," said Lauren Kay, executive editor of The Knot. "It goes up or down based on your closeness with the couple, not based on how much their wedding costs."
How to be a good guest on a budget
Those on tight budgets can still be good guests, with a few cost-saving tips.
Kay says it's OK to re-wear dresses or suits, but you may want to consider switching accessories. Renting attire can also be a budget-friendly option for some guests, she said.
When it comes to gifts, Kay said if the happy couple has a registry, shop it. If guests can't afford what's listed, she suggests going in together on a gift with others attending the wedding or giving the couple an experiential gift, like membership at a local museum.
When picking a place to stay, she also recommends sharing accommodations with friends also attending the wedding. Keep in mind that it's not mandatory to stay at the hotel the couple suggests if there are lower-cost options nearby.
As a 2025 bride and experienced wedding guest, Skopil said she wants her guests to relax and enjoy the event without feeling pressured to finance dressing in a certain color scheme or participating in a days-long extravaganza.
"I don't want it to be so precious that my guests are feeling overwhelmed," Skopil said. "For me, it's really such a beautiful thing just because it's every person you love in the same room."
How to say 'no' when a wedding is out of your budget
Whether it's a destination wedding, your fourth one this summer, or simply out of your budget, sometimes it's OK to say 'no' to an invite.
Skopil did it last year. When her co-worker and friend invited her to an overseas wedding in Shanghai, she knew it wasn't within her budget. When she told her friend, the bride said there was no pressure for her to go, but she wanted to invite Skopli so she felt welcomed and included.
"If your relationship has longevity and is built on communication, it shouldn't be a major issue if you're unable to attend for budgetary reasons," Skopli said.
Kay recommends being honest about why you can't attend if the person is a close friend. If it's someone you don't feel comfortable talking about finances with, a clear and gracious "thanks but no thanks" works.
She added that sending a card, a small gift, or taking the couple out to dinner are other ways to celebrate without spending more than you can afford to attend the wedding.
How much does it cost to be a bridesmaid, anyway?
Agreeing to join the bride's wedding party is a different level of financial commitment.
The Knot estimates that bridesmaids can easily spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars between bridal shower and wedding gifts, attending a bachelorette party, buying a dress, and paying for hair and makeup the day of the event.
A 2021 Lending Tree survey found one third of bridal party members went into debt for someone else's wedding. Some 68% used a credit card to cover costs, with 37% charging more than $1,000.
"Think about the ways in which you're going to be gifting or celebrating the couple throughout the wedding process," Kay said. "Let's say we're going to spend $150 or $175. Think about how you might stretch that over the course of a few different gifts."
When it comes time for the big day, she said bridesmaids shouldn't feel pressured to give the couple a big gift. A heartfelt note and the couple's favorite bottle of wine is just fine.