This new concept from the capital could well change the way we think about celebrations.
Weddings are becoming more and more expensive and many couples are struggling to finance their big day. Some face a double challenge: finding economical solutions while managing last-minute cancellations that leave places empty on the big day. Conversely, many people dream of attending weddings but are rarely invited, especially those who have a small family circle or few close friends. A Parisian startup has imagined a solution as original as it is unexpected to meet these needs.
Indeed, guest gifts including checks often struggle to reimburse all expenses. Generally, this mostly offsets the cost of the caterer. So, to have nothing (or almost nothing) to pay on their wedding day, some couples have called on a French company, which is innovating on the wedding market. The company Invitin, founded in 2024 by Katia Lekarski, offers to connect couples who are getting married with strangers willing to pay to attend their ceremony. To buy a ticket, you must register on the Invitin application and pay a minimum of 150 euros for entry, depending on the reception location. The company takes a certain percentage of the reservation.
“I thought: what if we could pay for wedding tickets and help the couple getting married that way?”explains the founder to Guardian. The concept works via an app where brides and grooms can select 5 to 10 paying guests after viewing their profiles. These “mystery guests” participate in the entire day: ceremony, reception, meal and dancing evening. Jennifer, 48, and Paulo, 50, will be the first couple to test this formula at the end of August in a mansion near Paris. “If we can see the profiles in advance on the application and choose who to accept, it could be something quite original to do”Jennifer confided to our colleagues. Mystery guests must respect the “chic and elegant” dress code and the rules of decorum.
“Unknown” guests agree to respect strict rules: “dress appropriately, arrive on time, drink in moderation and do not post or share photos without permission”, explains Katia Lekarski. Six weddings are already planned, mainly in the Paris region. Laurène, 29, is one of the first customers: “I don’t have a big family so I don’t go to weddings often, it’s great to be able to experience a wedding and experience different traditions, even if it’s strangers.” The company is inspired by the Indian concept of “Join My Wedding” which allows foreign tourists to attend traditional weddings as a cultural experience.
