When it comes to weddings, you may consider me somewhat of a “guest guru.” Since the summer of 2012, I have attended 15 nuptials in over a dozen cities, four states and one international destination.Considering the average guest spends over $670 to attend just one wedding as reported by the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, finding ways to save in crucial so you don’t go broke or rack up debt. Luckily, you can toast to the newlyweds without burning your budget by following my budget-proof savings tips.
Travel for wedding guests
Travel represents your biggest cost when attending an out-of-town wedding. While reviewing the hotel rates negotiated by the bride and groom is a good idea, don’t assume it’s the best deal in town. I recommend comparing accommodation rates at Hotels.com or Kayak, or rent a more economical condo or house through VRBO with a group of friends.
Gifts
With spending on wedding gifts averaging $75 to $150, finding the perfect present without breaking the bank can be challenging. My first tip is to compare prices when shopping for gifts on the couple’s registry. Wedding guests might find the same blender from Sam’s Club costs 20% less, or that pricey knife block is actually affordable through Amazon.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter where you purchase the gift or how much you spend; just be sure to let the couple know to remove the item from their registry if you purchase it elsewhere.
You can also enhance your savings on registry items by purchasing discount gift cards to use as your payment method. For example, wedding guests shopping for a couple who registered at Macy’s can purchase a discount gift card through GiftCardGranny.com for 10% less than face value. Then, search a site like CouponSherpa.com for coupons to Macy’s, like 20% off bed and bath items. Using these savings strategies together will save you a ton.
Attire
Wedding guests spend an average of over $150 on new apparel and accessories for weddings. If you have several weddings to attend in one season and want to wear something different each time, this expense can add up.
For formal weddings, avoid spending your paycheck on a floor-length gown and rent a designer frock from RentTheRunway.com. You can find a beautiful dress from the likes of Nicole Miller, Badgley Mischka, Ralph Lauren and more for just $70. For the guys, consider buying a tuxedo or nice suit secondhand for sites like MyOwnTuxedo.com, where you can find barely-worn tuxes for cheap.
More informal ceremonies including those hosted in a garden or on the beach don’t require as much structure. A maxi dress bought on the sale rack or from discount retailers like TJMaxx is a great choice, and guys can get comfortable in khaki shorts or pants with a linen button-up. You should also consider buying clothes on consignment or borrowing garments from close friends and relatives for an even cheaper alternative.
