The cost of weddings are creeping up, especially for those who will be attending alone. However, Tinder is helping singletons find their perfect wedding plus ones
With wedding season fast approaching, Brits will be preparing to watch their loved ones tie the knot – but it can be an expensive do if you’re single.
The hidden ‘singles tax’ can strike many singletons who may feel the pinch footing the bill for everyday costs such as bills and supermarket shopping trips, but weddings can also rack up when you’re going solo.
A new study from Tinder shows that many of its users are now using the app to find a wedding match in a last-ditch attempt to not attend alone. The dating app found that there has been a 69 per cent increase in mentions on users’ profile bios of a “wedding +1”. It also found that many people felt more excited and comfortable if they could bring a plus one.
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The new research also found that 59 per cent of young singles say they’ve spent over £200 on travel, gifts, and outfits for a wedding, despite flying solo. Over a third have also turned down an invite altogether because the cost just didn’t make sense without a plus one.
While the cost is a big reason for many people to decline an invite, Tinder also revealed that attending a wedding alone can have an emotional toll and said nearly one in three are put off by the idea of showing up alone. The study revealed that 45 per cent of young single men and 31 per cent of young single women say they’re actively looking for a wedding date this year.
Half of single wedding guests have been seated at the kids’ table or at a ‘less desirable’ table solely because they don’t have a date. For some, the discomfort runs even deeper, with 44 per cent of Brits admitting to leaving a wedding early to avoid awkward moments.
Over a third of British Gen Z say they’ve joked about bringing a fake date to dodge the ‘are you seeing anyone?’ interrogation.
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The desire to share the moment – even with someone new – is real: Nearly half of singles think bringing a plus one to a wedding is a bigger deal than introducing them to their family. And when it comes to bold moves, 42 per cent say they’d happily go on a first or second date to a wedding.
In a bid to help people find their perfect wedding +1, the app has launched a new feature, ‘The +1 Fix’, a new initiative that will contribute up to £150 in costs for taking a plus-one to a wedding this summer, available to users. The “+1 Fix” will contribute to wedding dates for up to 20 new matches made in-app this year.
Sinead Purcell, Director of Communications at Tinder, said: “Weddings are meant to be fun and joyful, not stressful – but for many singles, the pressure to bring a plus one can feel overwhelming. Tinder’s +1 Fix is here to take the awkwardness out of the equation – and to take the sting out of the costs!
“Whether it’s a new spark or a fun connection, we’re helping our users show up with someone who makes the whole day better. Sometimes, the best plus one is just a great Tinder match made at the right time.”
Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com.
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