It’s fun to receive an invitation to a destination wedding, but the bill for the travel, lodging, and food can be a strain on finances. As much as we love to join close friends and family members on their special days, it is becoming harder and harder to say yes to these obligation vacations, or “oblications.”

You will be glad to know that you are not alone in feeling a wee bit resentful of these unnecessary expenditures. An MMGY Global travelhorizons survey revealed that at least one-third of U.S. adults had taken at least one such vacation.

The study of 2,303 U.S. adults is quite an eye-opener and shows why people are stepping back from accepting such invites.

Destination weddings make up for a huge percentage of obligation vacations, but baby showers, graduations and even birthdays are now part of the mix.

Then, there are holiday traditions, friends or family expectations during any event which are sometimes hard to avoid. When first surveyed, many respondents said that they enjoyed taking these vacations and have often returned to these destinations for other holidays.

But, over time, their enthusiasm has waned. The survey found that both traveler sentiment and travel intentions have witnessed a six-point decrease from this time last year.

The survey’s Traveler Sentiment Index (TSI) measures interest, time available for travel, finances available and affordability, quality of service, and safety issues. These factors point to the viability of such a trip.

Sentiments and emotions aside, are we always prepared for unnecessary expenses? It is not only about the cost, but also the personal time off you need from your job. For some, it means using up all their annual leave.

You feel obligated to attend these events and even enjoy them at times, but then have with no days left to plan your trips.

Destination weddings and other events are big business within the travel industry. A survey from travel booking site Hotwire in 2013 shows that obligation vacations accounted for $197 billion in one year.

So, what does one do when it is an expensive proposition? First, decline an invite if it puts a strain on one’s finances or clashes with other life or work commitments.

This is especially true for wedding-related events, which often require guests to travel multiple times. There is the wedding, of course, but before that one may be expected to attend the bridal shower, the bachelor/bachelorette parties and the rehearsal dinner as well.

It is essential to keep in mind the cost, hotels, travel methods and locations, and the number of days away from work.

Many people worry about the etiquette involved with such invites. If circumstances do not allow you to attend all the events, choose one that is the most vital or matches with your situation.

You don’t want to spend your year’s travel budget to celebrate one occasion, so it’s OK to say no. Take the time to RSVP in advance so that it does not affect the planning process.