30-year-old Georgina Childs has had enough of forking out as a result of being a wedding guest…
The PR account manager from Essex, England, got herself into almost $2,900 of debt and had to move back in with her with her parents after attending 20 weddings and 12 bachelorette parties in four years.
She says: “I shudder when the invite arrives. I wish I could say no — but how do you tell your friends you just don’t think their wedding is within your budget? I know the drill at weddings. The bride will walk down the aisle to Ed Sheeran, the floral theme will be subdued greenery — and my bank balance will have taken another hit to the tune of $380.
“That’s travel, accommodation, hotel, a gift and a dress. And that figure doesn’t even include the (bachelorette party).”
Since the summer of 2014, Georgina has spent $9,250 on weddings and $3,980 on bachelorette parties — for a grand total of $13,200.
She says: “I used to love going to weddings. It was all new and exciting and although it cost a lot, I could budget ahead of time.
Childs has also been a bridesmaid seven times. She says: “The trouble with being a bridesmaid is the cost shoots up. Of the 20 weddings Childs has attended, 13 have been in London, coming with a different set of expectations.