New Website Lets You Buy Tickets to Attend Strangers’ Weddings

With great food, flowing drinks, dancing and live entertainment, weddings can be an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

A new website now offers people the chance to enjoy that experience whenever they like—by buying tickets to attend weddings hosted by strangers.

Not A Wedding Crasher connects couples with paying guests who can fill seats that would otherwise remain empty.

The platform currently lists 24 weddings, with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $150.

The company describes the service as “a thoughtful way to share the seats that would otherwise go empty.” On its website, it explains that guest cancellations and venue minimums are common, even after the flowers, meals and entertainment have already been arranged and paid for.

Not A Wedding Crasher says its goal is to help couples invite verified guests to celebrations that might otherwise have vacant chairs, adding energy, connection and memorable experiences to the event.

Using the site, prospective attendees can search available weddings by date, location or ticket price.

After choosing an event, users request a seat and submit “a thoughtful note explaining why you’d love to attend.”

The final choice belongs to the couple, who decide which applicants they feel comfortable welcoming to their celebration, according to the site.

All guests must complete secure identity verification through Stripe. The company says hosts do not receive access to users’ identification documents or sensitive personal information.

The platform also highlights measures intended to reduce risk, including host approval, event rules, reporting assistance and identity checks for both guests and hosts.

One listing for a wedding in central Los Angeles, California, taking place this weekend charges $125 per seat and has three places available.

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The listing offers access to the reception but not the ceremony. Guests are expected to wear formal attire, meaning sneakers and blue jeans are not permitted. Food will be served, and an open bar will be available.

A separate wedding in Greater Asheville, North Carolina, scheduled for Thursday, is listed at a much lower price of $25 per seat.

That ticket includes entry to both the ceremony and reception, where guests can expect a buffet dinner and a DJ.

Not A Wedding Crasher also says each listing is carefully reviewed before publication to confirm that it is authentic, alongside its verification process for guests and hosts.

The company says the service is built on consent, transparency and mutual comfort. Couples select who may attend, while prospective guests introduce themselves before requesting a place.

‘Only approved guests receive event details such as venue information, arrival guidance, seating instructions and any celebration-specific expectations set by the couple.

‘This helps maintain a more private, intentional and secure experience for everyone attending. 

‘Guests are expected to respect all event guidelines established by the couple and venue.’ 

The site was created by San Diego-based couple Jeff and Karina Besen, who explained to Fortune recently that the idea hit them after they ran out of date night ideas.

‘One day, Jeff literally looked at me and said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun if we could get dressed up and go to a wedding?”‘ Karina told the publication.

It launched in March but recently went viral on social media, catching the attention of thousands across the globe. 

Jeff revealed to Fortune that since it started, the platform has 20,000 signups and has already processed ‘tens of thousands of dollars’ in gross seat payments, of which it keeps 20 percent. 

‘Some people said it’s crazy, but most people said it’s a really good idea,’ he admitted.