Woman reveals the real cost of attending your friends’ weddings

There was a time when the cost of seeing your friends say ‘I do’ didn’t set you back hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

In recent years destination weddings and hens’ do have become increasingly popular – and as a guest you’re naturally expected to foot the bill.

Sydney-based Janine* said in the past year she has been to at least ten weddings and has spent no less than $5,000 on flights, accommodation, wedding outfits and gifts.

Janine* (left) attended ten weddings in 2017 and spent no less than $5000 on flights, accommodation, outfits and gifts

She told FEMAIL she will be spending even more this year as she has two weddings to attend and both are abroad: one is planned for Bali, and the other in Africa.

‘More couples are funding their own weddings these days, and they’re not inviting everyone,’ she said.

‘If you are invited to a wedding then that’s an honour, so I try to do what I can to be there.’

The 27-year-old revealed that this year she will be attending two destination weddings: one in Bali and another in Africa (Janine* pictured left)

The 27-year-old revealed that this year she will be attending two destination weddings: one in Bali and another in Africa (Janine* pictured left)

The management consultant said she doesn't really want to think about the 'frightening' amount of money she has spent over the years attending weddings (Janine* pictured right)

The management consultant said she doesn’t really want to think about the ‘frightening’ amount of money she has spent over the years attending weddings (Janine* pictured right)

As well as jetting to exotic locales, Janine said she will happily spend time and money travelling interstate for weddings.

 If you are invited to a wedding then that’s an honour, so I try to do what I can to be there

‘I drove eight hours through country Victoria to go to one wedding earlier this year. I have flown to the middle of New South Wales to go to a wedding.

‘I had one situation where I had two weddings to attend over one weekend so I flew to Melbourne on a Friday and on Saturday morning flew to Adelaide.’

The management consultant said she doesn’t really want to think about the ‘frightening’ amount of money she has spent over the years attending weddings – but suspects this figure could easily be as much as $30,000.

‘It does make me feel a little ill thinking about how much I may have spent,’ she said.

As well as jetting to exotic locales, Janine (pictured right) said she will happily spend time and money travelling interstate to see those she loves tie the knot.

As well as jetting to exotic locales, Janine (pictured right) said she will happily spend time and money travelling interstate to see those she loves tie the knot.

According to a survey by Easy Weddings, the average wedding guest can spend as much as $1279 on attending a wedding and if it’s a destination one, the bill could be anywhere from $1500 to several thousand dollars.

‘I spend at least $150 on each gift, then there’s the cost of a wedding outfit which can be as much as $700, hair and makeup can cost another $140 and then there are always extra transport costs on the day,’ Janine revealed. 

As well as attending weddings, the 32-year-old said she will also spend money attending hens’ events as it’s become increasingly popular for these weekends away to be destination dos.

‘Recently I travelled to Hong Kong for a weekend away which cost about $2500.’

As well as attending weddings, Janine (pictured left) said she will also spend money attending hens' events

As well as attending weddings, Janine (pictured left) said she will also spend money attending hens’ events

While Janine said she did try to round out this trip with some extra work meetings, she said she wouldn’t have travelled overseas if it hadn’t been for her friends’ function.

Although Janine doesn’t use credit to fund the weddings or other events she attends, she did admit she budgets carefully for those which are more costly.

She said that when planning for a destination wedding, she will pay for as much as she can in advance so she can get the best deals possible on flights and accommodation.

Although Janine (pictured second from left) doesn't use credit to fund the weddings or other events she attends, she did admit she budgets carefully for those which are more costly

Although Janine (pictured second from left) doesn’t use credit to fund the weddings or other events she attends, she did admit she budgets carefully for those which are more costly

‘The truth is I would rather borrow a dress from someone and make it to a wedding, than not be able to go at all.’ 

While Janine doesn’t know if she will or won’t get married, for now, she is happy supporting her friends on their big day.

‘If someone has met the love of their life and they want to have a big celebration with all their friends and family, then I am not going to say no to attending if I have been invited.

‘If someone goes to the effort of inviting you to something as big as their wedding, then you always try and do what you can to go.’

*Name has been changed 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk