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Rising costs changing wedding season for coloradans, Red Rocks CU finds
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — 16:26:39 (UTC)
Red Rocks Credit Union Summer Squeeze Survey: Rising Costs Are Changing How Coloradans Navigate Wedding Season With everyday expenses squeezing summer budgets, many Coloradans are changing plans, reconsidering events or using credit to cover the cost of showing up
LITTLETON, Colo., July 15, 2026— Wedding costs have always extended beyond the couple. But with everyday expenses taking up more of the household budget, new research from Red Rocks Credit Union shows that the cost of participating in wedding season, from travel and attire to gifts and related events, is becoming harder for many Coloradans to absorb. Many are reconsidering, scaling back or financing the cost of showing up.
The second installment of Red Rocks Credit Union’s Summer Squeeze Survey finds that while only 8% of respondents said they are planning or paying for a wedding themselves, the financial ripple effect is much broader: 51% are participating in some kind of wedding-related event or expense this year. That includes attending as a guest, standing in a wedding party, traveling for a celebration, paying for gifts or attire, or financially supporting a wedding-related event.
Among Coloradans for whom wedding costs applied, roughly three in four have changed, skipped or at least considered changing wedding plans because of cost. Only 15% of all respondents said wedding costs had not affected their plans at all.
The findings build on Red Rocks Credit Union’s first Summer Squeeze report, Road Trips Over Runways, which found that rising costs are already reshaping how Coloradans approach summer travel. The latest data shows the same broader affordability pressure moving into another major part of summer: wedding season.
Key Findings
Wedding season reaches well beyond couples. Only 8% of respondents said they are planning or paying for a wedding themselves, but 51% are participating in some kind of wedding-related event or expense this year, including attending as a guest, traveling, standing in a wedding party, or covering gifts and attire.
Costs are changing the RSVP math. Among Coloradans for whom wedding costs applied, roughly three in four have changed, skipped or at least considered changing wedding plans because of cost.
Affording wedding season increasingly means borrowing. More than one in three Coloradans said they have used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs. Among those who financed wedding expenses, 65% used a credit card.
Younger Coloradans are more likely to finance wedding season. Gen Z respondents were nearly twice as likely as Gen X respondents to say they had used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs, including travel, gifts, clothing or accommodations.
The survey found that 28% of Coloradans expect to attend a wedding as a guest, 26% expect to pay for gifts, attire or other wedding-related expenses, 21% expect to attend wedding-related events such as showers, bachelor or bachelorette parties or engagement parties, and 17% expect to travel for a wedding or related event.
While relatively few respondents are planning or paying for their own wedding, more than one in three Coloradans said they have used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services to cover wedding-related costs. More respondents reported using financing for someone else’s wedding, or for wedding-related travel, gifts, clothing and accommodations, than for their own wedding or celebration.
Among those who financed wedding expenses, 65% used a credit card, followed by savings at 40%, buy-now-pay-later services at 29%, borrowing from family or friends at 23%, taking on extra work or side income at 21%, and personal loans at 15%.
“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.”
Younger Coloradans are especially likely to finance the cost of participating in wedding season. Gen Z respondents were nearly twice as likely as Gen X respondents to say they had used credit, loans, payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services for wedding-related costs. They were also more likely than older respondents to use financing for travel, gifts, clothing or accommodations.
“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.”
Full Survey Results Full survey findings, methodology and supporting visuals are available upon request. Media can contact redrocks@maven-pr.com for the complete Red Rocks Credit Union Summer Squeeze Survey findings or to schedule an interview.
Red Rocks Credit Union will release the final installment of the Summer Squeeze Survey later this summer, exploring how rising costs are reshaping summer events across Colorado.
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About Red Rocks Credit Union
Red Rocks Credit Union has been serving Colorado communities since 1979 with a mission to enrich lives through personalized financial solutions, compassionate service, and community leadership. Based in Littleton, Red Rocks Credit Union serves nearly 18,000 members across Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, offering both in-person support and modern digital banking tools, including a mobile app and robust online services.
As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, Red Rocks Credit Union is committed to helping individuals and families thrive at every stage of life. The credit union’s leadership has been recognized with honors, including the Titan 100 Award, as well as recognition from FinAI News and the ColoradoBiz C-Level Awards, reinforcing the credit union’s trusted, community-first approach to service. For more information, visit www.redrocks.org.
Survey Methodology The survey was conducted using the online platform Pollfish. A sample of 300 Colorado residents was surveyed between June 2 and June 4, 2026. The margin of error is ±5.66%, and no additional weighting was applied to the initial sample. Respondents were spread roughly evenly across Gen Z, Millennial and Gen X age groups, with about 54% identifying as female and 46% as male.
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Source: Company press release. 
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