Father of the Bride was on TBS all weekend. I know because I watched it over (and over) for a good chunk of Saturday. This classic 1990s movie about a young bride-to-be and her reluctant dad showcases how just over-the-top American weddings can get. From ice sculptures to swans to a $1200 cake, the accoutrements of a picture-perfect wedding day can quickly break the bank for the bride and groom (or their parents, as it may be).

Over the years the price tag on an American wedding has started to look more like freshman year tuition. According to a 2009 survey by WeddingChannel.com and TheKnot.com, the average cost of a wedding is more than $28,000.

But what about us guests? While we feel honored to be invited and look forward to celebrating such momentous occasions with friends and families, the cost of attending can add up – big time. I probably dropped a cool grand last summer (from start to finish) for a friend’s wedding and all the events surrounding it. From various gifts (engagement, shower, wedding) to the bachelorette party to the plane tickets and hotel room (the wedding was 500 miles away from my home), the event proved quite costly.

All together there are about 120 million of us who attend weddings each year. Undeniably, many guests are young and trying to get our financial lives in order. So when a wedding invitation arrives in the mail, we can’t help but think of the fiscal consequences. On Learnvest.com I’ve got some great tips and proper etiquette on how to attend, keep it affordable and, most importantly, classy.

Here’s a snippet:

Aim for the Average. Experts say the average amount spent on a wedding gift is about $70. If it’s a close family member or best friend, spending $100 is more like it. Double that if you are a couple. It’s proper to aim for the average. Don’t feel pressure to spend more than that, even if your friend is throwing a black-tie Great Gatsby wedding. “Most brides and grooms these days are very understanding and don’t expect over the top, elaborate gifts from their guests, especially those that are in their 20’s and 30’s,” says wedding planner Anna Lucia Richardson. Case in point – power couple Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who tied the knot on New Years’ Eve registered for several items under $75 from Crate and Barrel and Williams-Sonoma. (Yes, I peeked at their wedding registry.)

For more tips, including a helpful chart detailing how much to spend based on your relationship to the bride and groom and the event you’re attending (wedding, bachelorette party, engagement party, etc.) check out my story on Learnvest.com