With social media spreading pictures of where you are and what you’re doing, it tends to get competitive to show you are having the best time. Whether it be a new designer handbag you want to flash or a gorgeous above water resort you’re staying in, social media usually sees it. Plain and simple, it can be pricy to attend a wedding, but from an experienced planner’s perspective, you can save money while still having the time of your life.
Get there or be square:
According to the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker, the average wedding guest is spending about $900. This may seem outrageous, but with a breakdown of costs, it is scarily realistic. Experts say there are three categories when organizing allotted money for the occasion: travel, clothing, and gifts.
To begin, there is the cost of getting to the wedding. Travel prices will vary depending on location
and distance from where you live, but if you RSVP and begin booking early, you will save a bit. Dapper Diplomat stated, “That’s where you are going to save. Use the resources given to you by the couple, like the website, the hotel blocks and concierge.”
Although it may seem excessive to have a destination wedding, planner Michelle Rago says people love to vacation and weddings make the best excuses for a good time. Just about anywhere a wedding can be held, a vacation can be had. If you are attending the wedding with friends, book a villa or airbnb to make it more affordable.
Airline credit cards may also be an option if you have multiple weddings on the calendar- especially if you are getting married in the same year. Many cards offer thousands of points just for signing up. Rack up those flier points and fly for free!
Check with other friends’ landing times to organize a car, so costs can be split. Be informed of any transportation the couple has organized as it may be free. Hotels and all-inclusive resorts usually have free shuttles at airports as well.
Look the wedding guest part:
For men attending multiple formal events, it is usually much more affordable. Purchase a suit, shoes, a few bow ties, and some pocket squares to have the perfect wedding-ready closet. Men have rented tuxes and suits for years to cut costs too.
For women, it can be trickier. It is less socially acceptable, or so we claim, to wear the same dress and accessories to multiple events. Fortunately, there are websites such as Rent the Runway.
Renting a dress, jumpsuit, or even accessories through Rent the Runway can save wedding guests a lot of zeros. According to Maureen Sullivan of Rent the Runway, about one million wedding guests seeked out their clothing rentals for wedding attire this year.
Maureen Sullivan also stated, “Guests can rent the perfect look, save money by not investing in something they will push to the back of their closet and not wear again.” For formal weddings, a woman can spend close to $200 or more on a dress she will never get the chance to wear again due to different weather or themes.
Wedding guests don’t have to be Santas:
When deciding how much to spend on a wedding gift, look over the registry multiple times. Get a good feel of what catches your eye and see what is most practical. A bread maker may be nice and impressive, but unless you know your friend will get good use out of it, it may just end up being another appliance shoved in a closet.
If the couple has posted a couch or honeymoon fund, consider putting money together with other guests
to give them a large, important gift such as these. This is a great way for guests to ensure the couple gets the necessary items they would otherwise have to pay for themselves while also avoiding spending $100 on one item. Ten people pitching in $40 is $400 and can easily buy a fabulous couch or love seat otherwise not many guests could afford on their own.
Websites such as Zola and Wayfair have group item options which make it easy for sharing the link with other guests. This avoids any awkward conversations about money but gets the point across. Keep in mind, gifts can be as simple as a picture with a heartfelt note. After all, this occasion is about love and the thought is truly what counts.
For a day of coordinator that will go above and beyond, inquire today for your special day!
