As the peak of the summer wedding season approaches, rising costs associated with attending weddings are prompting a growing number of invitees to decline participation. Research commissioned by Tesco Bank reveals that financial concerns are increasingly influencing whether people can say “yes” to wedding invitations.

The study found that 31 percent of those surveyed had turned down a wedding invitation due to financial constraints. This figure rises significantly among younger generations, with 48 percent of Gen Z and 43 percent of millennials citing expenses as the reason for their refusal. Many in these age groups are facing difficult choices, balancing everyday living costs such as utility bills against the desire to support friends and family on their special day.

Adrian Kucharski, 38, a tenancy support caseworker, described his decision to decline an invitation on the basis of affordability. He highlighted the challenge of covering both the cost of travel and gifts amid a low salary and rising living expenses. “I’ve been unable to save in the last year due to my low salary. There was barely anything left after bills,” he explained. Kucharski also noted that destination weddings add an additional layer of financial pressure, a trend fueled in part by high-profile celebrity events hosted in luxury locations such as Sicily and Venice. While celebrities and their guests may enjoy lavish celebrations, ordinary attendees often face significant budgetary strains even for gatherings held relatively close to home.

Emotional responses to declining invitations varied among respondents. About 14 percent reported feeling relieved after deciding not to attend, while 8 percent experienced guilt and 5 percent fear of missing out. Another 15 percent admitted to attending events despite financial worries, absorbing the associated expenses reluctantly.

The findings highlight wider concerns about the affordability of weddings for both guests and couples. Industry estimates place the average cost of a wedding in the UK at over £20,000, a sum that can exacerbate financial pressures on all involved. Duncan Fortune, head of commercial at Tesco Bank, acknowledged that weddings remain important and joyful occasions but warned that the associated costs can have a substantial impact on personal finances. He noted, “Love may be priceless, but attending a wedding increasingly is not,” reflecting the growing burden of expenses linked to these celebrations.