The cost of being a bridesmaid is almost as high as the rent, reports say

Do you think your rent is expensive? Trying to reply to weddings these days.

While proposals and weddings are prohibitively expensive these days, being a guest and not only watching a happy couple say “I do” but also participating in the pre-wedding festivities can cost around $2,010, which is only a few dollars more than the average U.S. rental, according to Zillow’s analysis.

What if you were a bridesmaid? Forget it.

According to Brides, a local wedding can easily cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500, in addition to the dress, shoes, hair, makeup, gifts and mandatory pre-wedding attire. (Translation: “27 Dresses” now belongs in the Fantasy Romantic Comedy Hall of Fame).

If you receive an invitation to a destination wedding, be prepared. The outlet reports that guests (and yes, wedding parties) can pay anywhere from $3,000 to more than $5,000 to attend a wedding.

Not only are weddings expensive, they’re also debt machines. A 2024 Lending Tree survey found that 54% of Americans who attended a wedding in the past five years went into debt as a result, with 23% losing $2,500 or more.

74% of financial losses cited pre-wedding celebrations such as bachelorette parties and bridal showers as the culprit.

That being said, many potential bridesmaids are now saying “no” to attending wedding parties due to the high costs involved.

In a recent video, TikTokker @wed_west proudly said: “Sue me. I don’t want to pay $5,000 to be your bridesmaid.” She added: “I’m not even sorry.”