Average cost of attending a wedding rises to $539, survey says

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An American Express survey of 1,518 adults concluded that weddings are getting more expensive to attend. According to the survey's findings, Americans expect to spend 59 percent more on attending weddings than last year, with each wedding costing a whopping $539 on average in travel expenses, gifts and clothing.

That figure is up from 2012, in which the survey found that wedding guests spent an average of $329 on the big day.

It's even worse for bridal party members, who can expect to spend an average of $577 on bachelor/bachelorette parties and expensive attire, though only a third of bridesmaids planned to wear their dresses again.

So what caused the increase?

David Rabkin, American Express' senior vice president of consumer, explained that Americans "are a little less hesitant to go to their wallets," now that the economy is improving and "financial optimism is on the rise."