London, 28th May, 2026 – More Brits are saying “I don’t” to destination weddings, as new research from Experian reveals a sharp increase in declined invitations due to mounting financial pressures. More than a third (38%) of Brits decided not to attend a wedding abroad in the last year, a notable jump from 29% the previous year.
Among those who turned down an invite, the top reasons were being unable to afford transport or accommodation (23%) and the destination being too far to travel to (20%). This marks a shift from last year, when just 14% cited transport and accommodation costs as a reason for declining. Looking ahead, nearly half of Brits (45%) said they won’t attend an abroad wedding due to recent increases in flight costs.
Although the average spend per guest has decreased by 22% from £1,956 in 2025 to £1,525 this year, this drop appears to be driven by frugality rather than lower costs.
A quarter of people are adopting money-saving strategies to limit spending. A quarter (25%) will make the couple a present as opposed to buying (compared to 13% last year) and the same number will also rent an outfit to wear to the wedding (compared to 11% last year).
The financial strain also extends beyond the wedding itself, as 29% feel forced to decline other holidays with friends and family to afford the trip, while 59% say the cost impacts their everyday spending decisions.
John Webb, Head of Consumer Affairs, Experian UK&I, said: “Destination weddings can add a lot of financial pressure for guests – sometimes costing thousands of pounds. So, it’s a good idea to think carefully about what you can realistically afford. Borrowing money, with a plan to repay, can be suitable. However, getting into unaffordable debt can have long-term negative impacts on your financial wellbeing and your credit score.”
“It’s all about budgeting – set the costs and work out whether you can afford it, or the debt repayment. If you’re comfortable cutting back on luxuries or skipping holidays, that’s fine. However, it’s not a good idea to commit to attending if it damages your financial and mental health to attend.”
Here are my top tips to look after your finances if you’ve been invited to a wedding abroad:
Set a clear budget before you RSVP - “Start by working out the total cost of attending - including travel, accommodation, outfits and gifts - and only commit if it’s affordable. Putting costs on credit without a plan to repay can quickly become a problem. Remember to include travel insurance too, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong.
If you’re borrowing money, do it carefull - “If you do choose to use a credit card, consider options with interest-free purchases or rewards - but crucially, make sure you have a realistic plan to pay it off in full to avoid interest and protect your credit score. Credit cards can also give you extra protection under section 75.”
Spread costs early to avoid last-minute borrowing - “Booking flights and accommodation early or spreading payments over several months can reduce the need to rely on credit at short notice, which is often when people end up using higher-cost borrowing.
Avoid ‘wedding creep’ overspending - “It’s easy to get caught up in the occasion and overspend on extras like outfits or gifts. Sticking to what you can afford - rather than straining your finances - will help you enjoy the celebration without longer-term financial stress.”
If it’s unaffordable, don’t go - “The last thing you’ll want to do is spend money you don’t have, or get into debt, with no ability to repay. Or perhaps you’re saving for a deposit and don’t want to dip in to your pot. Either way, if it’s not a good financial decision for you, then be honest and say so.”
Manage your borrowing when you’re home - “If you’ve had to borrow money, don’t forget to manage it carefully when you’re back. You might find there’s lower cost options such as transferring your credit card debt to a 0% card. Or, if you’ve borrowed from multiple sources, a debt consolidation loan might be right. You can use free comparison sites, like Experian, to check your eligibility without damaging your credit score.”
-ENDS-
Note to editors:
The 2026 research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 UK nationally representative respondents (18+). The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 natrep UK. The data was collected between 06.05.2026 – 08.05.2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
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