The shocking amount it actually costs to attend a wedding in Australia
Wedding guests are now spending almost $2000 on average just to attend their friends and family's celebrations, according to Finder research.
Which is… a lot. Finder surveyed 1090 Aussies and found that about 5.5 million of us have spent money on attending a friend or family member's wedding in the last five years.
It's never been a secret that throwing a wedding can burn a serious hole in your pocket, but when did just being a guest become so expensive?
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A new study shows that wedding guests are spending around $2000 on average to celebrate their family and friends. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Finder money expert, Rebecca Pike said: "Beyond the wedding gift, there's a laundry list of costs to consider. Attending a destination wedding can set you back the most, especially if it's outside of Australia.
"When deciding on how much to spend on the wedding gift, remember it's the thought that counts. Only give what you can afford."
According to the survey, for those who fully commit – we're talking attending, staying, buying an outfit, buying gifts and participating in pre-wedding festivities – you're looking at a whopping $1993 on average.
Usually, the heaviest cost to bear is transport, with Aussies paying on average $759 just to get to the ceremony and home again.
Next comes accommodation, averaging $556, and then an outfit and gift, both around $240 on average.
Bridal showers, hens parties, and bucks nights follow closely behind, with Finder's survey showing they set Aussies back $179 on average.
But the real kicker is that that price drastically changes when looking at women versus men.
For men, the average cost is only $53, affordable right?
But for women, you're looking at an average of $257. Not quite as doable for the everyday Aussie.
Finder has shared their tips to help manage the costs when it comes to attending a loved ones wedding, including setting money aside ahead of time, reusing or borrowing an outfit, and sharing accommodation with friends.
Tips to reduce the costs as a wedding guest include reusing or borrowing and outfit, and sharing accommodation with friends and family. Getty
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Pike also reminded Aussies that the whole point of a wedding is to be there to show the couple you support them.
"The financial part is just the icing on the cake," she said.
"If your bank account is in no shape to give, think of other ways you can show you care. You could cook them a special meal after their honeymoon or offer them your time working on something you know how to do better than they do.
"If you know you have a wedding or two coming up, it is best to start saving for them the same way you do for holiday shopping."
