Katia Lekarski, founder of Invitin’, has created a unique market for individuals willing to pay for and travel to attend the weddings of strangers. The service targets couples hosting destination weddings in picturesque locations worldwide, who may have empty seats due to guest cancellations and are seeking to offset their event costs.
Invitin’ offers tickets to wedding ceremonies in places such as India, the South of France, and even within the Sagrada Familia. Couples often use the platform to fill last-minute cancellations, and the revenue generated from ticket sales can help fund wedding luxuries like photographers and illustrators.
Tickets typically range from €100 to €150 (approximately £85 to £128), excluding travel expenses. These tickets are often promoted as a blend of cultural experience and luxury. The platform features a dedicated category for Indian weddings, some of which span three days and include promises of sacred rituals, dance, and cuisine.
Potential guests undergo a vetting process by the Invitin’ team before their profiles are presented to the couple for final approval. Lekarski emphasizes that couples have the discretion to accept or reject any prospective guest based on their profile, ensuring the integrity of the selection process.
"Once a profile is verified, nothing is obligatory. If the couple doesn’t like the profile or it doesn’t have a picture, for example, they can always say no," Lekarski stated. She added that the rigorous vetting aims to prevent disruptions on the wedding day, and thus far, the company has reported no issues with guest behavior. "People are paying for tickets and often travelling, so they’re there for good reasons."
Lekarski explained the appeal for guests lies in the shared experience of celebration and witnessing a couple's union, rather than necessarily forming a personal connection with the newlyweds. "The whole idea isn’t really to meet the couple, it’s to meet the circle of the circle." She also defended the commercial aspect, noting that many wedding-related services already charge significant fees, and Invitin’ takes a 30% commission on ticket sales.
Comparisons have been drawn to the early days of platforms like Airbnb, where the concept of inviting strangers into one's home was initially met with skepticism. To date, Invitin' has facilitated attendance at over 60 weddings globally. Ironically, Lekarski herself has never attended a wedding through her platform, nor has she had a wedding of her own, despite being in a long-term relationship.