From Inc · · 1m
Not A Wedding Crasher Sells Empty Seats to Strangers
Startup turns wedding seats into revenue for couples.
In brief
Startup turns wedding seats into revenue for couples. Not A Wedding Crasher sells unused wedding seats to strangers for $292 each. Originally reported by Inc.
Wedding Crashing Business
Wedding crashing started as a movie concept but is now a legitimate business opportunity.
“Wedding crashing isn’t just the concept behind the 2005 movie _Wedding Crashers_, starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Today, it’s a legitimate business opportunity.”
Jeff Besen Co-Founded Platform
Jeff Besen co-founded Not A Wedding Crasher with his wife, Karina Besen.
“Jeff Besen co-founded Not A Wedding Crasher, with his wife, Karina Besen.”
Platform Function
The platform lets couples list open seats and strangers pay to attend nearby weddings.
“The online platform allows couples planning weddings to list open seats at their celebration. Interested strangers can then respond to listings of nearby weddings and pay a relatively small fee to attend a wedding.”
Wedding Cost Problem
Weddings cost thousands of dollars with high minimums and unexpected cancellations.
“Weddings cost thousands of dollars and involve costly minimums. Despite meticulous planning, it’s hard to predict when a guest may cancel at the last minute, leaving an unexpected, unused, and already-paid-for seat open.”
Average Wedding Cost
The average wedding cost is $34,000 with 117 guests at $292 each.
“According to The Knot’s 2026 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2025 was about $34,000. The same study also reported that the national average guest count was about 117 guests, with each seat costing an average of $292.”
Business Opportunity
The Besens saw an opportunity to sell unused seats to strangers for revenue.
“We realized that couples were spending thousands of dollars on weddings, only to have seats go empty, while there were plenty of people who, we thought, would love to attend.”
Business Growth
The platform creates revenue by connecting couples with strangers who want to attend weddings.
“The couple "recognized the opportunity to 'marry' the two and create something that didn’t exist before," he said.”
What to remember
Not A Wedding Crasher sells unused wedding seats to strangers for $292 each.
