You said yes to being in the wedding party, now what? Three maybe four paychecks later and you're ready for a beautiful wedding weekend. For many, this is the reality when signing on to be part of a wedding. It's hard to say no to a big life moment, but for some, the cost could mean going into debt.
The prices to be part of the festivities are becoming astronomical. While reportedly being a bridesmaid can cost upward of $3,000, a groomsman can incur many of the same expenses. Depending on the wedding couple, some wedding parties don't pay at all, but this is more of an exception to the rule.
Across social media, there is no shortage of grievances on the cost of being a bridesmaid. Some brides are even bucking tradition and taking a deviation because they would be uncomfortable asking anyone to pay that much. Then there is the possibility of a destination wedding, which may cause the total cost of participating to creep even higher in order to cover the extended stay.
Is it unfair to put a tangible price on a memory that will last a lifetime? And is the financial investment of being in a wedding party too much to bear?
Amid inflation and hiring freezes, is there a way to make an investment in a personal relationship while also being considerate of personal finances?
Weddings are beautiful occasions. And being asked to be a groomsman or bridesmaid can be a welcomed invitation, but transparency is important. We all want to know how much we should realistically siphon to enjoy the celebration burden-free.
