Hello, my lovely giraffes! How are you doing? This month is the start of wedding season and you may have already received your invite. I’m always excited to go witness and help celebrate loved ones special day. However, what I’m not a fan of is the exorbitant cost that seems to be attached to it. If you’ve been there then you know what I’m talking about. So to help all you lovely people out, I’ve got some advice on keeping costs down as a wedding guest.
Keeping Costs Down as a Wedding Guest
What to Wear
The bride is the centre of attention because it is her wedding day after all. This does not mean that you should look like a slob nor, does it mean that you need to spend a fortune. Look at what you already have in your closet and do a rinse and restyle on it. Use accessories to help change up the look. Add a scarf, hat or pair with complimentary colours that you don’t usually wear. Check with the bride what her colours are so you don’t turn up looking like the bridal party. Unless she’s happy with that.
Destination Weddings
These can be really pricey or not. Usually you will be informed well in advance, which can help in keeping costs down as a wedding guest. If you’re saving up for the flights, check out the penny saving challenge and use some of my handy money saving tips on travel. Also, you could look at turning it into a vacation so you get your money’s worth.
Transportation
If the wedding isn’t a destination wedding but it’s somewhere out of the way, it could cost a bit to get there. How about carpooling with other guests? Or, if no one wants to drive you could share a taxi to and from the venue. Alternatively, it could work out cheaper to stay at a B&B and take public transport. Maybe you have family or friends who would be willing to put you up for a night or two. You don’t ask, you don’t get.
Drinks
So you’ve organised what you’re going to wear and how you’re getting there. What about how much you’re going to spend on drink? Some weddings will have an open bar and some won’t. Open bar, great! No need to worry. Cash bar, then you’ll need to think about how much you can afford to spend. Not how much you want to spend. Realising that you’ve spent £300 on several rounds of tequila, vodka and B-52s is not fun! Decide on a budget, take the cash out beforehand and stick with that. It keeps the morning after sweet.
The Wedding Gift
Most couples will have a registry, look at the list thoroughly and see what you can realistically afford. Maybe they have a honeymoon fund that you can contribute to. Or, if they don’t have a registry you could pool together with other friends who are attending. All of you combined could get a really special present that the couple would really appreciate. Just don’t feel guilty for not being to afford the most expensive gift on the list. HiCharlie has great ideas on affordable wedding gift ideas.
That’s all from me today on keeping costs down as a wedding guest. You can have a great time and not put yourself in debt. It’s 2019 and we’re refraining from adding on any unnecessary stress. Debt is stress. I will also have 2 more posts around weddings, so sign up to the newsletter for more. Are you going to any weddings this year? How are you saving money? Leave me a comment.
