The hidden side of politics

Here’s how much wedding guests are spending as inflation, interest rates are ‘taking a toll,’ expert says

Reported by CNBC: 

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Weddings are expensive, and not just for the bride and groom.

As more couples choose to go all out on their nuptials, the average guest will spend $611 on travel and accommodations, gifts and special-occasion attire and preparation this year, according to a recent report by Bankrate.com. Wedding gifts alone average $180.

“Like just about everything else, inflation and higher interest rates are taking a toll on wedding attendees,” said Ted Rossman, Bankrate’s senior industry analyst.

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At a time when many households are already stretched thin, every “yes” RSVP poses a potential financial strain.

About 21% of wedding guests feel pressured to spend more than they comfortably are able to, and 18% must lean on credit cards just to attend, Bankrate found.

According to a separate survey by LendingTree, 40% of those who attended a wedding in the past five years have taken on debt to cover the cost.

For members of the wedding party, it’s even costlier: Nearly two-thirds, or 62%, have spent more than they could afford to celebrate with the bride and groom, and 32% went at least $500 in the red, LendingTree found.

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There is no rule of thumb for how much you have to spend on someone else’s wedding, according to Esther Lee, deputy editor and wedding expert at The Knot.

The amount you give should have less to do with what kind of wedding you are attending, and more to do with your own budget and feelings about the couple, she said.

“Determining how generous you choose to be often correlates to your closeness with the couple,” she said. If you’re lifelong best friends, you may want to give a big gift; alternatively, make a contribution to their honeymoon fund, which will be meaningful, Lee advised.

Source:CNBC

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