The birds are chirping and church bells are ringing, which can only mean that spring is officially here and wedding season is finally upon us. For the friends and families of the lovebirds that can mean hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars just to attend the weddings as guests. Check out our wedding guide for guests to maximize their savings and still be able to enjoy the festivities:
Finding a Place to Stay
Getting to the wedding is many times the most expensive part of the trip, and because there is not much that can be done about gas or flight prices, it is important to look for less expensive alternatives for when you have finally made it to your destination. Although it is more convenient to stay at the hotel the bride and groom reserved rooms at, it also may be over budget. Hotwire.com allows users to search by destination and price to better suit their needs. If staying in a hotel for multiple nights is just out of the question, only come for the main events to cut down on the number of nights away from home. This will also cut back on other expenses such as food/drinks, rental car prices, and gas. Staying with family and friends in the area is also another great option to save money while attending a wedding.
Dress the Part
Aside from seeing the beautiful couple on their special day, the next best part of the wedding is getting dressed up for the affair and buying new accessories to look the part, whether it is a formal affair, backyard wedding, or destination location. Instead of buying a new outfit for every event, try to get neutral accessories so that they can be used with different outfits. The ability to rent expensive items for a few days from sites such as Rent The Runway for women and The Black Tux for men, is a great alternative to buying brand new clothes for every event as well. As always check what is lying around the house first or with friends, instead of immediately going out to the store and buying something new. It may not be the most stylish way to go, but it could save a few hundreds depending on the formality and frequency of events for the season.
Early Bird Gets the Worm
On top of just traveling to the wedding, local or destination, guests are also expected to purchase a wedding gift for the new couple, which can cost anywhere from $75 to $200, so it is very important to plan early for this expense. Go through the registry once it is announced and purchase a gift because as the wedding gets closer, the list will be over-picked and the most expensive gifts will be left. Check our site to find discounts to major retailers like Macy’s wedding coupons, before purchasing from the gift registry. Planning to purchase as a group with other friends can also save a large sum of money. If the gifts on the registry are too expensive, go for a homemade gift that will come from the heart and may be something that the couple would not have thought of before. This is a great way to try out crafts from Pinterest and really think about the couple’s relationship.