Groomsmen/Guest

In a few weeks I'll be attending a friends wedding noticing how much I'll be shelling out. I remember my first wedding as a ring barer my mom spending $15 - 20 on my tuxedo. Today I'm spending $280 for a rented suit for a weekend. All for the sake of being a friend and showing support. Though I'm currently saving for my children's wedding ten plus years out, I'm in my 40's standing as a groomsmen again. Excited about taking part in a dear friends wedding I didn't hesitate to say yes to stand with him. After our phone conversation I looked at my wife and the first thing she said was "how much?". Being involved in a wedding sure has its perks and some downfalls if a person is not aware of their personal budget. I knew this would be an expensive venue while calculating my budget and communicating the bottom line to my wife. She reminds me of our future and how we must pay attention to our spending. So I started putting together my intended budget plans. Already established the cost of the tux, now to figure out the travel. It's impossible for me to drive to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, so some airline tickets must be of priority. The cost: $350 round trip from my hometown. Then there is a place to stay, I have no family or relatives who lives there so a hotel is in sight. Do I want all-inclusive or just hotel? All-inclusive relieves extra stress of finding meals throughout the day. As opposed to the average hotel daily rate, I'm to have enough cash on hand for my meals at feeding times. Seeing that I'm such a foodie, I'll roll for the all-inclusive deal. The cost: $430 /3nts. Next is transportation, seeing that the wedding is on the beach at the hotel across the street, I think I'll walk over. The cost: $0.00 (starting to feel good about this factor). Bachelors party, let's say we sit around the bar telling old jokes. But still, who's paying for the meal? Between the five groomsmen and the groom I guess we will all plan to take up the tab for the groom. The cost $70 per guy. Oh yea! The gift for the bride and groom. I think I'll check out the registry before hand and have it delivered to their home after the wedding. The cost: $100.00. As it turns out I'm spending over $1000.00 for this knee grow! Somehow if I was just an invited guest maybe forking out all this loot would not be such a big deal. But it's worth it! He's like a younger brother to me and life has taken a toll on him for the good. I wish him and bride to be well and for God to be in the center at all times. Overall this trip would be priceless.