Attending a wedding? What you can expect to spend

Regina Lewis | Special for Paste BN

Show Caption

Expect to spend about %24539 per wedding that you attend
Travel%2C clothing and the wedding gift are the major expenses when attending a wedding
An equally important gift is being a good guest

'Tis the season for weddings, and if you're one of the 69 million Americans attending at least one this year, expect to spend a lot.

According to the latest American Express Spending & Savings tracker, those of us with someone's "big day" marked on the calendar can plan to fork over, on average, $539 per wedding!

Here's how it breaks down:

• Travel: $167

• New apparel and accessories: $161

• Wedding gift: $108

So, what's a celebratory, but sensible game plan?

For starters, remember that it's the big days, plural, not day — engagement parties, showers, rehearsal dinners, bachelor and bachelorette parties, the wedding. Be sure to look at the overall event schedule and related costs. If you're in the bridal party, you can expect to pay more, because there are other related costs.

Although there's no exact formula, generosity shouldn't mean running up a credit card tab you'll still be paying down when the couple celebrates their first anniversary. How well you know the couple is a factor, and if they've given YOU a gift, you may want to reciprocate at a comparable level.

According to the Knot.com, spending on gifts can be divvied up as:

• Engagement present: 20%

• Shower gift: 20%

• Wedding gift: 60%

So, if you're spending $250 total, you'd spend $50 on the engagement and shower gifts, and $150 on the wedding present.

Lastly, keep in mind, one of the most gracious gifts you can give is being a good guest. Full participation is probably what the bride and groom want most. Mingle with the guests who look a little lost, dance when they're looking to fill the floor and interact with as many people as you can. Here's a startling statistic: If there are 150 guests, a brief one-minute exchange with each would take 2 and ½ hours. A priceless investment of time.

Regina Lewis is a national television contributor and host of Paste BN's "Money Quick Tips" videos. Follow her on Twitter: @ReginaLewis.

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