Modern weddings come with a price tag that goes way beyond the ceremony itself. What used to be a one-night bachelorette or bachelor party now can be a multi-day destination trip, plus coordinated outfits, showers, group dinners, and a stream of unexpected Venmo requests that can feel impossible to opt out of. This week, host Reema Khrais talks with The Atlantic editor Annie Joy Williams and cultural commentator Josh Lora about the rising cost of being a wedding guest and the debt that sometimes outlives the friendship.A few takeaways from this episode:Gen Zers and Millennials are making housing tradeoffs: Nearly half of them have taken on extra roommates or rented smaller apartments to afford friends' weddings. “That’s $2500 I don’t have for housing,” said Williams.It’s okay to set boundaries: Saying no to a trip or a destination party doesn’t mean you don’t care. Being upfront about your budget can help reset unrealistic expectations before plans spiral. You can participate without overextending: Showing up emotionally doesn’t always mean showing up financially. There are ways to celebrate a friend’s significant moment without going into debt. For example, you can volunteer to take on some of the administrative work involved in planning. Or you can invite the bride and groom over for dinner to show your support in a more personal (and affordable) way. How a friend responds to your limits matters: Honest and clear conversations can bring you closer to your friends, but if they’re unwilling to budge or guilt you for not being able to afford the expenses, it may be time to reassess the expectations in your friendship.If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. Did you find a creative way to make your wedding affordable for your friends? Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU, send us an email at uncomfortable@marketplace.org or fill out the form below.