Saying ‘I do’ today? So are almost 30,000 other couples

This Saturday is the most popular wedding day of the year, according to data released by the Knot. Almost 30,000 couples are set to marry, with guests spending an estimated $1 billion on gifts and attire for the happy events, says the site.

In advance of this day, the multiplatform weddingplanning brand released its 2018 Guest Study this week, revealing average attendee expenses per wedding, as well as factors contributing to whether invitees accept or decline, and the thinking behind choosing an appropriate gift. Per the Knot’s membership data, 28,633 weddings are scheduled for Aug. 18 in the U.S.

“A lot of couples picked it for the significance of the date, it’s a palindrome month — eight, one, eight, one, eight (8/18/18)” senior editor Ivy Jacobson said. She also said that summer and early fall months are the sweet spot for couples planning a wedding, generally due to weather concerns.

An average of 136 guests per wedding will attend this weekend’s celebrations. Those estimated 3.9 million guests will, on average, each spend $261 on the event, including the gift, attire and accessories, which adds up to an estimated $1 billion weekend — and that’s without travel costs. Guests traveling for a wedding spend an average $901, including costs for accommodations, travel, gifts, attire and accessories, while members of the wedding party spend $928.

Jacobson said it’s worth taking into account the extra costs involved for those in the wedding party. “You have the additional cost of the bachelor/bachelorette party, engagement party, bridal shower on top, so the cost goes up from there,” she said.

“There can be some sticker shock at first,” said Jacobson. “But if you are choosing to spend this money, this person is important to you in some way and people are excited to celebrate.” Overall, 70 percent of those surveyed said they enjoyed the last wedding they attended. When considering an RSVP, guests say their relationship to the couple is the most important factor regarding attendance (71 percent).

Other considerations include date (50 percent), cost of travel (40 percent), whether their children were also invited (42 percent).