- 38% of Gen Z and millennials who have been to a wedding in the last year have taken on debt in order to attend weddings and wedding-related events.
- More than half (57%) of those who have attended or plan to attend a micro-wedding believe that the trend saves couples money, but not guests.
- Of those who have attended a destination wedding or plan to in the next year, 58% feel that destination weddings are an unfair financial ask for guests and 42% have lost a friend because they couldn’t afford to attend their destination wedding.
While many couples are saying ‘I do’ in ways that reduce spending on their end, the cost of being a wedding guest has never been higher. Trends like micro-weddings, destination ceremonies, and multi-day events are pushing attendees to spend beyond their means, turning the celebration of love into a financial burden.
According to a new study of Gen Z and millennial Americans that have attended a wedding in the past year or plan to in the next year, conducted by Intuit Credit Karma, 56% say they feel obligated to attend weddings and wedding-related events like bachelorette parties, even if they can’t afford to, and it shows. In the last year, 38% have taken on debt to attend weddings, and 39% have sacrificed paying for necessities like groceries and bills just to be in attendance for their friends’ and family’s big days.
The price of your RSVP
The financial strain of another wedding season is already setting in, as a quarter (25%) of those who plan to attend a wedding in the next year expect to spend between $1,000 and $3,000 per wedding. Further, among those who have taken on or expect to take on debt to attend weddings, nearly half (48%) estimate it will total between $1,000 to $4,000+.
However, consumers are getting creative with how they fund their wedding commitments. While most relied on credit in the last year (44%) and/or dipped into their savings (42%), others took more drastic measures like using a buy now pay later service (20%), borrowing money from a friend or family member (20%), opening a new rewards credit card (19%), and/or taking on a new job (16%).
But the non-stop knot-tying isn’t just draining wallets, it’s costing time. More than one in five (22%) have had to take four or more days off of work per wedding, and 32% are unable to take a vacation this year because of money and time spent attending weddings and related events.
The micro-wedding is all the rage, but not for everyone
When it comes to trends taking over the wedding industry, the micro-wedding, otherwise known as a small, intimate ceremony with 50 guests or less, is having its moment. In fact, 67% of respondents have noticed a rise in micro-weddings, and 68% have either attended one in the past year or plan to in the next.
While the trend is seen as a cost-saving move for brides and grooms, that doesn’t necessarily extend to guests. More than half (57%) believe that the trend saves the wedding couple money, but not guests, as 54% have actually spent more money to attend these small gatherings than they have on traditional weddings. With limited guest lists often made up of close friends and family, half (50%) of guests report feeling pressured to spend more on gifts.
Among those who have hosted or know someone who has hosted a micro-wedding, 56% say the motivation was to save money, in addition to being able to afford a nice honeymoon (36%) and/or to pay for another large purchase like a downpayment on a house (32%). Other reasons to opt for a micro-wedding include the general trendiness (26%), the ability to have a destination wedding (25%), and to avoid having to invite certain friends and family members (24%).
Destination Debt
Destination weddings are also a growing trend among nearlyweds, with 60% of wedding guests saying they’ve noticed more couples hosting these long-distance nuptials, and 71% have either gone to a destination wedding in the last year or plan to in the next.
While 48% are willing to go into debt to attend a destination wedding, 57% have had to decline because the travel and lodging costs were too expensive. However, that isn’t a fair excuse to some, as 42% have lost a friend because they couldn’t afford to attend their destination wedding.
Traveling for destination weddings has led 57% to spend more than they have on personal trips, and 61% have or will sacrifice taking vacation time from work to attend destination weddings.
Despite many shelling out money for international vows, a majority (56%) believe that couples who host a destination wedding should not expect gifts from guests. However, for couples that opt for a honeymoon fund rather than a registry, some (12%) wouldn’t contribute because they feel it’s tacky (31%) or prefer to give a physical gift (31%).
Questioning the financial toll
As multi-day, overseas celebrations become more common, many guests are not on board. In fact, 46% believe that expecting guests to attend multiple wedding-related events is selfish, and 58% believe destination weddings are an unfair financial ask for guests.
Additionally, the wedding party isn’t thrilled about footing the bill for every single expense on bachelor or bachelorette getaways. 48% believe the bride or groom should cover at least some of the costs, like travel and lodging, but not necessarily food and drinks. Meanwhile, 32% think the bride or groom should cover all their expenses throughout the fake veil, matching t-shirts and pink cowgirl hat chaos.
Even those already married are having some financial regrets as they reflect on their own wedding. Some wish they would have done a smaller micro-wedding (27%) or spent that money on something else like a honeymoon or down payment (31%).
“It’s an unfortunate reality that many consumers feel pressured to take on debt just to attend a wedding in fear that saying no might disappoint a friend or damage the relationship,” said Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Intuit Credit Karma. “With the cost of living rising and many tightening their budgets as is, it’s important that guests and wedding couples alike approach these situations with empathy and awareness of each other’s financial constraints. I encourage people to be realistic about what they can and cannot afford this summer and make compromises that work for you, like skipping the bachelorette party so you can afford to attend the wedding itself.”
Methodology:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma on April 4, 2025 to April 11, 2025 among 1,106 adults aged 18-44 who have attended a wedding in the past year or are planning to attend one in the next year.