Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
How to say no to being a bridesmaid
“Ask Brianna” is a column from Nerd Wallet for 20-somethings or anyone else starting out. I’m here to help you manage your money, find a job and pay off student loans — all the realworld stuff no one taught us how to do in college. Send your questions about postgrad life to askbrianna@nerdwallet.com.
Q: A friend asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to afford it. How do I say no and keep our friendship intact?
A: You don’t need to go into debt to celebrate a friend. This might sound blasphemous when your social media feeds are drenched in destination bachelor parties and designer bridesmaid dresses. But the truth is that many 20- and 30-somethings are just getting by, and bridesmaids in particular are asked to drop a lot of cash.
The average bridesmaid spends $1,200 per wedding, including attire, travel to the event, accessories and gifts, according to a May 2017 study from wedding-planning website Wedding Wire. But that average climbs to over $1,800 when accounting for bachelorette parties and bridal showers. You’ll want to know precisely what you’re signing up for as a bridesmaid.
A true friend will understand if your finances keep you from participating, and that declining her request isn’t reflective of the friendship. Here’s how to make sure nothing gets lost in translation.