Single Brits are being hit with a growing “single social tax”, paying up to £12,000 more a year than couples on everyday essentials like rent, bills and food1, before they’ve even RSVP’d to a single wedding.
For many, the late twenties mark the point where the wedding invites start rolling in, with the average Brit getting married in their early thirties (around 31-33)2, turning this life stage into one of the most expensive socially.
The average Brit spends £692 per wedding and over £2,000 a year attending them3, rising to as much as £4,500 for younger adults4. While couples split the cost of hotels, travel and gifts, singles are left footing the entire bill, with 59% spending £200+ per event and over a third (34%) admitting they’ve had to decline invites altogether5.
It doesn’t stop there either – from weddings to holidays, where solo travellers can pay up to 87% more1, being single is quietly becoming one of the most expensive lifestyles going.
thortful spoke to a single Brit about the real cost of showing up for everyone else’s big moments, and how the “single social tax” is quietly adding up.
The price of showing up
When it comes to celebrating others, the cost of being single quickly adds up, and it’s not just about the gift.
Charity Swales, 28, from Leeds, explains “I estimate I’ll spend at least £150–£200 per event, with accommodation, transport, spending money, and outfits, it can quickly add up. For example, I’ll likely purchase self-care products, get my hair done, maybe order a new outfit. Hen dos especially, can be expensive when they have a fancy dress theme, things I’ll probably never wear again and will end up tucked away at the back of my drawer forever.”
Costs really start to spiral when the invite isn’t local. “My friend’s wedding in Devon, for instance, has train tickets that are almost as expensive as flying abroad, which makes attending a significant financial commitment.”
Add in the fact that couples can split costs, and the gap becomes even more obvious:
“Splitting costs definitely helps to ease the burden if someone is having a financially heavy month. For a single person like me, it often means sacrificing other areas of life – missing out on meals with friends, postponing that new hoover, or skipping personal trips to see my favourite bands just to keep up with social obligations. The difference is really stark when you compare the flexibility couples have versus the single person budget squeeze.”
The Guilt That Comes With Saying “No”
But it’s not just financial, there’s an emotional price tag too, and for some, that pressure even leads to debt, with one in ten (11%) attendees admitting they’ve gone into debt to afford a hen or stag do6.
Charity explains “I suffer from major guilt when it comes to saying no. I don’t even get FOMO; I just feel like I’d be rude or missing out on someone’s ‘big day.’ Occasionally, I’ve put events on my credit card to pay off the next month, or I’ve cut back on other things like meals out or personal treats to make it work. Essentially, I’ve had to rearrange my life to accommodate these social expectations, which can feel exhausting.”
And over time, that pressure starts to change how people approach celebrations altogether:
“It does makes me pause and plan carefully before committing. Sometimes I consider whether it’s worth attending if the financial cost is too high, but there’s always a tension between wanting to celebrate friends and protecting my own financial well-being.”
Celebrating everyone else… but not ourselves
While singles are expected to show up, and spend, for others, their own milestones often don’t get the same treatment.
Charity adds “I’m always down for a reason to celebrate my friends and family, but it does often feel like relationship milestones are prioritised over personal achievements. It’s unlikely you’d get someone a gift or go to great lengths for a new job, new home, or completing a marathon, but with weddings and hen or stag dos, there’s an expectation to put in time, money, and energy for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
That imbalance can feel frustrating, especially when your own wins are just as meaningful, “There’s this expectation to shell out for others’ milestones, but my personal achievements sometimes don’t get the same attention. Friends may miss out on my birthday, housewarming, or finishing a marathon because of their own financial or social limitations, and it can feel like my accomplishments are diminished by comparison.”
And those achievements are no small thing, “Moving into my first solo flat, career promotions, getting my first pet, solo travelling, and building a stable, independent life are all milestones I’ve worked incredibly hard for. Yet they often don’t get the same fanfare as weddings or engagement parties. It’s not that they’re unimportant; they’re hugely meaningful, but society seems to value relational milestones over personal ones.”
Ultimately, it raises a bigger question, why aren’t we celebrating these moments more?
“Personally, I would love to get married someday for the romance, but I don’t see it as an essential measure of achievement, especially compared to independently building a life and personal confidence.”
1. Data from The Guardian, data true as of 05.10.24
2. Data from Connaught Law, data true as of 2019
3. Data from Money and Pensions Service, data true as of 27.05.25
4. Data from The Guardian, data true as of 28.06.25
5. Data from Stylist, data true as of 20.05.25
6. Data from Experian, data true as of 21.05.24
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