A growing number of Scots are declining invites to weddings over the rising cost, new figures have suggested.
The data from Tesco Bank found that over the last year the growing expense associated with attending the big day of friends or family had seen 27% of adults in Scotland turn down the invite to save money.
And 12% of Scots surveyed admitted they had been tempted to turn down the invitation, but eventually felt they had to face the costs.
For many that could have been no easy decision. The average cost of attending a wedding in Scotland has now risen to over £350 per person, with around 13% of guests spending upwards of £500.
This includes expenses from hen and stag dos, new or hired outfits, travel, accommodation, gifts, and any childcare needed.
And it has created a growing dread for ‘peak wedding season’, which typically falls between June and August.
It means a third of Brits are now saying ‘no thanks’ when asked to attend a wedding
Alexa Scott, chair of Scottish Wedding Industry Alliance and organiser of the forthcoming Edinburgh Wedding Exhibition being held at Murrayfield, said a growing trend for destination weddings was the biggest factor pushing up costs for guests.
“There is definitely a mix, with many couples very mindful of friends and elderly family members not having to travel too far and so holding local weddings,” she said.
“The other side of it though is an increasing number of couples who want to get married in a location that means something to them, often an important holiday destination, and that can mean costs for travel and accommodation for guests going up.
“This also applies to people coming into Scotland – very often you get couples, one of whom was born in Scotland and wants to get married here, and so guests have to come over as well.”
Retired NHS security worker Ian Gough, 57, is one of those facing not just one but three wedding invitations this year.
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He admitted he was happy to attend however – but only because he was careful with his budgeting.
“I am attending three wedding receptions this year, probably costing about £250 for each,” he said.
“Weddings are affordable to attend so long as you can save a bit each month and budget for holidays included in that.
“I would say I am in control of my savings and budgeting.”
Like Ian, many guests are now cutting back on their spending so they can afford to attend weddings.
In order to make it to the big day, 16% of people have cut back on luxuries, 14% have trimmed everyday expenses, while 11% have stopped buying new clothes.
Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, comments: “Weddings, and the run-up to them, are joyous and memorable occasions, but they can leave a dent in your wallet. To protect their finances and stay on track with savings goals, a growing number of would-be guests are choosing to skip the celebrations entirely.
“Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track.”
“If you have a busy wedding season ahead, or know there are invites on the way, budgeting is important. Plan ahead where possible and estimate how much you’ll need to put away in your ‘wedding guest’ pot while still working towards your own financial goals.”
Of course guests are not the only ones facing increased costs, and while they might be paying more they are also likely to be getting more.
“Travel and accommodation are the biggest costs for guests but it’s also worth noting that for a lot of couples now the cost of the wedding itself is going up as they want to give their guests the best party ever,” said Alexa.
“Weddings are very different from what they used to be, and we are seeing the impact of influencer culture and TikTok trends and so everything has gone up a gear.”
Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, shares his top budget tips to help those wedding guests attending multiple celebrations this year.
Identify small savings
“Setting aside money each month can help build your savings over time and spread the cost of gifts, travel, or accommodation. Booking early may also secure lower prices, while re-wearing outfits, and sharing accommodation with others can also help keep wedding spending manageable.”
Create a wedding season budget
“Having a dedicated ‘wedding season’ budget in place can provide a clearer picture of the financial commitment that you can expect. This approach can also make it easier to prioritise which invitations to accept and identify where savings can be made, helping ensure that attending multiple celebrations remains enjoyable without creating financial pressure.”
Stick to it!
“Set a maximum spend per wedding and stick to it regardless of the type of celebration. This might mean you need to compromise on some elements – perhaps opting for more affordable travel or accommodation, or skipping the hen or stag do. While it may feel a little uncomfortable, being respectful and honest with the bride and groom about what you can and can’t afford is always the best approach.”
Nikki Stokoe, of QD Events which organises the Scottish Wedding Show, said: “Couples are taking more time to research and compare options to ensure they achieve the wedding they want within their budget.
“At The Scottish Wedding Show, couples have the opportunity to meet a wide range of suppliers across every category and price point, with many businesses offering different packages and solutions to suit a variety of budgets. This allows couples to make informed decisions and often find options they may not have discovered otherwise.”
