Attending a friend’s wedding is arguably even more fun than having your own. You’re not in charge of organizing the entire day, and you didn’t have to pay for it. But you still get to enjoy the music and food, celebrate a beautiful love story and dance the night away with your friends.

Tension can arise, however, if you’re expected to help out with the wedding more than you’d like to. That’s why one woman had to put her foot down and refuse to contribute financially to a friend’s wedding. But after reaching out to the internet for advice, readers gave her some much needed perspective. Below, you’ll find the full story that was posted on Reddit, as well as a conversation with Jhona Yellin, Editor at Bespoke Bride! 

Mixing finances with friends is often a dangerous game

Image credits: ckstockphoto/Envato (not the actual photo)

When this woman told a friend that she couldn’t afford to contribute to her wedding, she was reminded of who helped pay for her own celebration

Image credits: Pressmaster/Envato (not the actual photo)

Later, the woman provided updates and clarified some of the details about her situation

Image credits: WatchRainFeelFire

The average wedding guest will spend about $580 attending a loved one’s big day

Image credits: Image-Source/Envato (not the actual photo)

We all know that having a wedding is a huge financial burden. It doesn’t have to be, of course, if you and your partner are happy to get hitched at the courthouse and throw a small party at home. But for many couples, their wedding is an opportunity to host a big bash, and that can come with a huge bill. According to Forbes, the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2024 is a whopping $33,000.

The priciest items and services that couples have to pay for are usually the reception venue, the band or DJ, photographer and/or videographer, the florist and other decorations and the wedding dress, as these can all easily cost thousands. Plus, most couples spend about $6,000 on an engagement ring. And then there’s still catering, the cake, invitations, hair and makeup, transportation, wedding favors and more to budget for.

But the bride and the groom aren’t the only ones who end up spending a lot on their big day. The reality is that even just attending a wedding can cost a pretty penny nowadays. The Knot reports that the average wedding guest cost in 2024 is $580. The grand total depends on various factors, but guests often have to pay for travel, accommodation, attire and wedding gifts, which can easily rack up a big bill.

But in this economy, where over three quarters of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, having to find hundreds of dollars laying around to attend a wedding can be impossible. Not to mention the fact that you might be invited to four weddings in one year, bringing the grand total of attending them all to over $2,300. Unfortunately, it’s common for wedding guests to feel like they have to spend beyond their means to celebrate a loved one’s big day.

Bankrate reports that over a third of wedding guests will have to be more conservative with their spending to be able to attend these celebrations. 21% also admit that they expect to feel pressured to spend more than they’re comfortable with and that these weddings will place a strain on their budgets. 18% even say they might have to take on credit card debt to see a loved one tie the knot.

“Not every friend can or should contribute financially, and that’s absolutely okay”

Image credits: Pixabay/Pexels (not the actual photo)

To gain some perspective on this topic from a wedding expert, we reached out to Jhona Yellin, Editor at Bespoke Bride, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. First, we wanted to know if it’s common for friends to contribute time, resources or money to loved ones’ weddings. 

“Well, financial contributions from friends can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some cultures and friend groups embrace the idea of pooling resources to make the big day extra special,” the expert says. “On the flip side, many friends prefer to offer their time, skills, or maybe a homemade cake that tastes like it’s straight from a patisserie.”

“Personally, I’ve seen both approaches work wonders. When my friend Lucy got married, we all chipped in for a surprise fireworks display,” Jhona shared. “It was like contributing to a communal masterpiece, and the joy it brought was priceless.”

We were also curious if she believes it’s a good idea to contribute financially to a friend’s wedding at all. “Wedding finances among friends can be very tricky. Giving money can be a generous gesture, showing your support and excitement for their new journey,” she noted. “However, it does come with a caveat: the unspoken expectation of reciprocity. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, but with cash.”

“I’ve heard of friends who’ve generously pitched in for a wedding cake or helped cover some decor costs. It felt like they were investing in the happiness of the couple, and that’s a beautiful thing,” Jhona shared. “Yet, it’s crucial to keep expectations clear. Not every friend can or should contribute financially, and that’s absolutely okay.”

“Waiting until you can celebrate without maxing out your credit cards can save you from post-wedding blues”

Image credits: bclare2/Envato (not the actual photo)

Next, we wanted to know if it’s even worth it to have a wedding when it’s barely possible with your budget, or if it’s better to wait until you can afford the wedding of your dreams. “This is another tough one. Should you do the wedding when the money’s tight? Weddings are magical, but they can also be financially draining,” Jhona says. “I’ve seen couples stretch every penny to make their dream day happen, and it’s heartwarming. But it can also lead to stress and arguments over whether those doves were really necessary.”

“If you ask me, love should feel like butterflies in your stomach, not knots over unpaid bills. Waiting until you can celebrate without maxing out your credit cards can save you from post-wedding blues,” the expert told Bored Panda. “Your love story deserves to start on a solid financial footing, not with a mountain of debt. I’d also recommend reading our post about how to budget for your wedding.”

“In situations like these, communication is your best bouquet. If your friend’s asking for cash and you’re feeling the pinch, don’t feel guilty. There are plenty of other ways to lend a helping hand,” Jhona shared. “Offer to DIY some decorations, or maybe use your superpower of organization to plan a killer hen do party on a budget.”

Finally, the expert says to not lose sight of what’s truly important. “Weddings are about love, not a tally of who paid what. Be honest about what you can afford and find ways to show your support that fit your budget and skills,” Jhona added. “Your friend will appreciate the effort, whether it’s in pounds or in Pinterest-worthy centerpieces.”

We would love to hear your thoughts on this story in the comments below, pandas. Do you think it’s fair for this woman to refuse to contribute to her friend’s wedding? Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda piece discussing wedding drama, look no further than right here!  

Many readers called out the woman for backing out of her promise to help with her friend’s wedding

However, some thought that the situation could have been handled more maturely by all parties

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