Bezos wedding cost vs average wedding cost in the US
The cost of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s weddings has upset some people, but here we compare them to the average US wedding.
When wedding seasons are full-fledged and invitations piled up, celebrating friends and family can quickly become a budgeting issue.
In addition to planning her own September wedding, Bekah Skopil and her fiancé have attended three other people this year alone.
Not everyone can afford a $50 million wedding that makes international news, but it’s well known that a more typical wedding can be expensive for everyone involved. Engaged couples spend an average of $33,000 on their weddings. The cost of attending a bridal party is rising, and it’s also expensive to become a guest.
If you are your first time being invited to multiple weddings in a year, this is what you can expect to spend.
What is the average amount a wedding guest spends?
A study by Knot, a wedding resource website, found that between travel, accommodation, gifts and attire, they spent an average of $610 attending a wedding in 2024.
Of course, the amount of money a guest spends depends on whether they need to travel or not. On average, guests spend $270 for local weddings, $840 for out-of-town weddings, and $1,680 for those who need the flights they need to arrive at the venue.
The average wedding gift won a guest in 2024 for $150, making it $10 cheaper than the previous year. The cost depends on the relationship between the guest and the couple. The survey showed that close friends, family and wedding party members spent about $160, casual friends spent $140, and Plus spent $120 on gifts.
“We’re always trying to expose you’re paying for the myth of your plate,” said Lauren Kay, executive editor at Knot. “It goes up and down based on intimacy with the couple, not based on wedding costs.”
How to become a good guest on a budget
Those with a tight budget can still be a good guest with some tips to save money.
Kay says it’s okay to re-attach the dress or suit, but I recommend considering switching accessories. Renting outfits is also a budget-friendly option for some guests, she said.
As for gifts, Kay said that if a happy couple had a registry, they would shop. If guests cannot afford what is listed, she suggests, like a member of a local museum, to give gifts with others attending the wedding, or give the couple an experiential gift.
When choosing a place to stay, she also recommends sharing accommodation with friends attending the wedding. Please note that staying at the hotel is not a must.
As a bride and experienced wedding guest of 2025, Skopil said she wanted guests to relax and enjoy the event.
“I don’t want it to be so valuable, so I feel my guests are overwhelmed,” Skopil said. “For me, it’s really beautiful just because you’re everyone you love in the same room.”
How to say “no” when your wedding is not your budget
Whether it’s your destination wedding, your fourth wedding this summer, or just off budget, it’s okay to say “no” to your invitation.
Skopil did that last year. When her colleagues and friends invited her to an overseas wedding in Shanghai, she knew it wasn’t within her budget. When she told her friend, the bride said there was no pressure to let her go, but she wanted to invite Skopuri, so she felt welcome and included.
“If your relationship has a long life and is built on communication, if you can’t attend due to budgetary reasons, that shouldn’t be a big problem,” Skopuri said.
Kay recommends that if the person is a close friend, be honest about why you cannot attend. If that’s the kind of person you don’t feel comfortable talking about finances, then a clear and elegant piece of “thank you” works.
She added that sending a card, a small gift, or a couple to dinner is another way to celebrate without spending more than you can afford to attend a wedding.
Anyway, how much does it cost to become a bridesmaid?
Agreeing to attend a bride’s wedding party is a different level of financial commitment.
The knot estimates that a bridesmaid can easily spend thousands, if not thousands, of dollars between a bridal shower and a wedding gift.
In a 2021 loan tree survey, a third of the members of the bridal party were in debt for someone else’s wedding. Approximately 68% used credit cards to cover their costs, while 37% charged over $1,000.
“Think about how you can give or celebrate a couple throughout the wedding process,” Kay said. “Suppose you spend $150 or $175. Think about how you’ll stretch it over a few different gift processes.”
When the time came for the big day, she said that the bridesmaid shouldn’t feel pressured to give the couple a great gift. Heartfelt notes and a bottle of the couple’s favorite wine is fine.
Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com Follow her at x @rachelbarber_
