Is there *truly* a way to balance “Oh my gosh, I’m SO happy for you, of course I’d love to be your bridesmaid!” with: “Er… destination wedding? Designer dress? Bachelorette in Vegas?”
How much is this going to cost?
I’ve been there, and I can absolutely relate. On one hand (at the risk of sounding cliché), it truly is an honour to be asked to be part of someone’s most special day. There’s a strengthening of ties, deepening of friendships and a certain privilege associated with being a member of the bridal party.
On the other hand, there’s the not-so-small matter of the costs. And trust me, they can add up quickly. In fact, a recent TD survey found that almost 40 per cent of Millennial and Gen X Canadians who have been in a wedding party say they felt pressured to spend more than they could afford, and the amounts can be significant: half (50 per cent) of those surveyed said on average they spent (or plan to spend) between $200 and $599 to be in a wedding party; yet a quarter (25 per cent) said they actually spent $600 or more for the average wedding.
“Most people can expect to participate in quite a few weddings throughout their lifetime, particularly when they’re younger and their friends or family members are getting married, so including the related costs in your annual budget is a smart thing to do,” said Raymond Chun, Senior Vice President, Everyday Banking and Personal and Indirect Lending at TD. “Having a realistic amount in your budget also helps you stay within a spending range that you’re comfortable with and know you can afford.” …