BY JEN KELLY, HERALD SUN
REMEMBER when watching a friend say “I do” generally set you back no more than the cost of a dinner set, a little petrol and maybe a fancy new outfit?
These days, it’s not unusual to find yourself forking out for flights and accommodation to a far-flung “destination wedding”, then following up with a cash deposit into a “wishing well” towards anything from a home reno to an IVF baby.
A new survey of 2227 people by EasyWeddings.com.au uncovers the astonishing cost of being a wedding guest, with airfares and accommodation the biggest hits on the hip pocket.
Respondents who attended at least one wedding in the past year spent $1279 on average.
That included $573 for flights and accommodation, $287 for gifts, $286 for clothing and $133 for other expenses, such as babysitters and taxis.
Expect the bill to be anywhere from $1500 to several thousand dollars if the couple join the thousands of Australians embracing the trend for destination weddings in overseas tropical paradises.
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