Planning and even attending weddings has jumped in cost as social media pressures Americans to put on more extravagant affairs amid rising price hikes, a 12-time bridesmaid told Fox News. 

"You see that so-and-so is going on all these trips and going to all these weddings … but you don't see their finances and so you feel like you have to keep up," Mackenzie Jones, of Arkansas, told Fox News. "You don't realize that she's not making the best financial decisions and now to keep up with her, you're not making the best financial decisions."

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COVID-19 lockdowns and downsizing caused wedding costs to plummet in 2020 but they rebounded above 2019 levels last year, hitting $30,000 on average, according to The Knot, a wedding planning website. For guests, 40% have gone into debt to attend weddings, jumping to 62% if they were also in the bridal party, an April LendingTree survey found.

"No one just has a bridesmaid anymore," Jones said. "You have the bachelorette trip and then the lingerie shower and a wedding shower and all the things."

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Jones, 26, estimates she's attended at least 50 weddings in her lifetime. In 2022 alone, she went to 18 and was a bridesmaid in five over a 10-month span.

"It was really lucky," she said. "I had a really low rent at the time. Now where I'm living and the expenses that I have, I could not afford that at all."

Jones estimated spending around $1,000 for each wedding where she was a bridesmaid. She said those prices were low compared to current wedding costs.

"The bar to be a bridesmaid in their weddings were so low," Jones said. "It was like buy the dress and show up on the day and that's all you need to do." 

"Now when I get asked to be in a wedding, I'm like, ‘okay, I got to do the bachelorette trip,'" she continued. "I got to be sure I have time to take off a work [and] all the things."

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The average wedding guest should expect to pay over $600 in 2023, according to a BankRate survey released in March. Wedding guests can expect to spend around $456 on travel accommodations, $321 on gifts and $274 on attire.

Jones said social media has pressured people into wanting more luxurious weddings, bachelorette trips and other wedding-related events. She also said high demand after the COVID-19 pandemic has driven up the overall costs.

"I think social media is a huge part of it because I was thinking that even with my own wedding, there were several things where I was like 'why do I feel like I have to do this?'" Jones said. 

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Among Gen Z, 51% feel social media makes them buy things they can't afford, while 43% of millennials said the same, according to a Deloitte survey of those age groups across 44 countries. Many blamed the apps for financial stress.

"I feel like when you get married or when you get engaged and you're planning a wedding, that's like the height of the social media [with] most liked posts and the most engagement on your posts," she said. "And so I think we see so much of it that we're like, ‘oh, we have to do that because they did that.'"

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The wedding industry grew 10% in 2022 to a $71 billion, according to market research firm IBISWorld. But Jones believes couples will increasingly elope or hold smaller ceremonies.

"I feel like the trend is kind of getting to a smaller wedding because at some point it can't get bigger," she said. 

To watch Jones' full interview, click here. 

Boston police have identified the suspect who allegedly shot a Boston Police officer multiple times Friday night.

John Lazare, 23, of Brockton, Massachusetts is facing a slew of charges including assault and battery with a firearm, armed robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon, Boston Police officials said in a press conference on Saturday, June 10. 

"This is another example of people who have no respect for life in any way shape or form," Police Commissioner Michael Cox said at the press conference.

According to the police report, on Friday, June 9 at approximately 9:15 p.m., the unidentified officer saw Lazare who was in the process of robbing a delivery driver. 

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The officer said that Lazare matched the description of someone wanted for robbing a Domino's Pizza delivery driver on the same street on Wednesday. 

When the officer went to confront him, Lazare allegedly opened fire, hitting the officer multiple times. 

Police say that Lazare attempted to evade arrest by running inside a store and climbing onto the roof of a building. He allegedly jumped from the roof, landing in an alleyway and injuring his leg.

The Boston police department officer called for assistance over a police channel, and colleagues came and arrested Lazare and took the injured officer to Boston Medical Center. The officer was treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said Saturday that the officer is expected to survive. His name has not been released.

Massachusetts State Police Superintendent Colonel Jack Mawn released a statement following the officer shooting, commending the officer and sharing his commitment to keep people in Massachusetts safe.

"When they hurt, we hurt," Mawn said in a statement. "Policing is a dangerous job. The men and women in this profession wear a bulletproof vest and carry a pistol, just to go to work."

"It is a noble profession – a calling, more than an occupation," he continued. "Those who answer the call, who join the ranks, know the risks. There are times, like last night, when we are confronted with this reality."

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Mawn said that since May 31, 2023, 166 officers have been shot in the line of duty in the U.S., and 20 of them died. 

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"To members of the law enforcement profession, we thank you from the depth of our hearts," Mawn said. "Please continue to take care of yourselves, each other, and those who wait for your safe return home at the end of every shift."