It is not cheap...

...to be a wedding guest.

Allow me to explain. Although I do love attending weddings and feel honored for being included in a couple's momentous occasion, it is not friendly to the wallet.

For females, you have the bridal shower, then the bachelorette party, then the wedding (and for some, not too long after - the baby shower). How much do these really add up?

Check out the following post on Weddingbee in which one blogger details her expenses:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/08/26/the-cost-of-being-a-wedding-guest/

Shower:
Gift: $50 (made stationery)
Travel: $35 for rental car that day (I was in town anyway, but required a rental car that day to get from where I was staying to the shower)

Bachelorette Party:
Travel to (Oakland to Las Vegas flight): $260
Cab/Shuttle fares (various throughout the weekend): $100
Lodging/gift chip in/cabana chip in/bottle service at club chip in: $275
Food (including chip in for bride’s meals) 4 meals: $100

Wedding:
Gift: $125
Travel (gas to drive round trip to Southern California): $80
Lodging (2 nights): $250
Food for 2 people (Mr. Peng and me): $120

TOTAL: $1395

Wow that is a hefty number!

As much as the hosts of the weddings complain about how costly the functions are, the guests have it pretty rough too.

P.S. - For the wedding guest newbies - it's good ettiquette to give at least $100 (or close to) as a wedding gift. You're pretty much paying for your attendance and meal at the event. I've had someone say to me that he thought you didn't need to bring gifts to weddings. That weddings were a free event. Uh...wrong! I assure you that if you show up empty handed or with a cheapo gift, the couple is NOT going to be happy with you.

P.P.S. - Don't get me wrong. This is NOT a knock on weddings nor the engaged couples hosting them at all. I LOVE LOVE LOVE participating in weddings and find much joy in that weddings are a place where people are reconnected. Weddings are truly celebrations. Many THANKS to the couples who have allowed me to partake as a guest in their wedding festivities.

Just wanted to share from a guest's perspective.