July 15, 2026

Wedding Season is Expensive and Colorado’s Summer Budgets Are Feeling It

Weddings are expensive even when they’re not yours.

And right now, with everything from gas to groceries costing more than it did last summer, Coloradans are discovering that “plus one” on a wedding invite might as well come with a price tag.

Red Rocks Credit Union just dropped the second part of their Summer Squeeze Survey, Road Trips Over Runways, and the findings paint a pretty clear picture: wedding season isn’t just squeezing couples anymore. It’s squeezing everyone who gets an invitation.

It’s Not Just the Happy Couple Feeling the Pinch

Only 8% of survey respondents are actually planning or paying for their own wedding. But here’s the kicker: 51% are still shelling out for wedding-related expenses this year. We’re talking gifts, travel, bridesmaid dresses that’ll never be worn again, bachelor parties in Vegas, hotel rooms, and all the other costs that come with being part of someone else’s big day.

Translation? Wedding season has become a participatory expense sport, and most of us are playing whether we budgeted for it or not.

The New RSVP Calculation

Among Coloradans dealing with wedding costs, roughly three out of four have either changed their plans, skipped events entirely, or at least seriously thought about it because of the price tag. Only 15% of all respondents said wedding costs hadn’t affected their plans at all. Those 15% are either really good with money or really good friends. Maybe both.

This tracks with Red Rocks Credit Union’s first Summer Squeeze report, which found that rising costs are already reshaping summer travel plans. Turns out the affordability squeeze doesn’t stop at vacation planning. It’s following us right into wedding season.

When “I Do” Means “I Owe”

Here’s where things get interesting: more than one in three Coloradans have used credit cards, loans, payment plans, or buy-now-pay-later services to cover wedding-related expenses. And here’s the plot twist: more people are financing costs for someone else’s wedding than their own.

Among those who financed wedding expenses, 65% reached for a credit card. After that, 40% dipped into savings, 29% used buy-now-pay-later services, 23% borrowed from family or friends, 21% picked up extra work or side gigs, and 15% took out personal loans.

The survey broke down the specific expenses too. Here’s what Coloradans are planning to spend on this wedding season:

28% expect to attend a wedding as a guest
26% expect to pay for gifts, attire, or other wedding-related expenses
21% plan to attend wedding-related events like showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or engagement parties
17% expect to travel for a wedding or related event

Younger Generations Are Borrowing More

Gen Z respondents were nearly twice as likely as Gen X to say they’d used credit, loans, payment plans, or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding costs. They’re also more likely to finance travel, gifts, clothing, and accommodations. Whether that’s because they’re invited to more weddings or have less financial cushion (probably both), the trend is clear: younger Coloradans are putting wedding season on credit.

What It All Means

“Wedding costs aren’t occurring in a vacuum,” said Darius Wise, CEO of Red Rocks Credit Union. “When families are already paying more for gas, groceries, dining, lodging and other everyday expenses, the cost of attending a wedding becomes a much bigger financial decision.”

He’s got a point. When your regular budget is already stretched thin, adding a destination wedding or three can push things into the red pretty quickly.

“Most people do not want to miss a wedding because of money,” Wise added. “But when travel, attire, gifts, lodging and events all stack up at once, the cost of saying yes can become much bigger than expected. Our role is to help members look at the full picture before they stretch, borrow or put an important moment on a credit card. We encourage our members to understand the full cost before making commitments, prioritize the moments that matter most and avoid taking on debt that could outlast the celebration.”

Because let’s be honest: nobody wants to still be paying off a wedding they attended two years ago.

More Summer Squeeze Data Coming Soon

Red Rocks Credit Union plans to release the final installment of the Summer Squeeze Survey later this summer, exploring how rising costs are reshaping other summer events across Colorado. If the first two reports are any indication, it’s going to be an expensive season all around.

Full survey findings, methodology, and supporting visuals are available upon request. Media outlets can contact redrocks@maven-pr.com for the complete Red Rocks Credit Union Summer Squeeze Survey findings or to schedule an interview.