How to Financially Survive Wedding Season as a Guest
Wedding season is upon us, and while it’s fun to celebrate in the name of love, those who have a handful on their calendars may experience anxiety over the financial burden of attending them all. Weddings aren’t cheap – even for the guests. Studies show that the average wedding guest spends nearly $500 per big day. That’s a lot of celebrating! If your summer weekends are filled with weddings, follow these tips to come out of the season with your savings account and sanity intact.
Set a Budget and Prioritize
Before you’re knee-deep in buying wedding gifts, check in with your savings goals, loan repayments, and other financial commitments. Acknowledging the current state of your finances is the best way to set a realistic budget for attending weddings. Calculate how much money you’ll have leftover each month after you’ve taken care of your regular bills and paid down your debts. From there, you can determine if adjustments should be made to afford everything.
Deciding on a budget is just the first step. Then, you have to make sure it’s working for you and follow it. Overspending happens when you try to do it all, whether that’s buying the best gift ever or choosing to stay near the venue. To keep within your limits, you’ll need to make some trade-offs. For example, if you’re planning to purchase an expensive gift, you might need to skip a pricey salon visit before the ceremony. It’s all about priorities. If you determine you can’t afford to make a wedding at all, it’s also okay to gracefully decline and send a nice card instead.
Rent Attire
Wedding attire can break the bank, especially when you have multiple weddings to attend. If you’re looking to save though, there’s zero shame in showing off a killer dress or suit twice. Even buying something new shouldn’t cost a fortune. Consider renting your outfit, raiding a friend’s closet, or shopping at a discount store. You’ll be surprised just how much you can save.
Split Costs
One of the easiest ways to cut costs is to split them with others. Consider going in on lodging and transportation expenses with friends and family. Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, so finding some roommates for the weekend is worth it. Don’t forget to do your research. Wedding weekends are often paired with pricey hotel rates, so you’ll want to be on the lookout for the best deals or choose to stay further away from the venue.
You can go in on the wedding gift with other guests as well. Check out the couple’s registry online, select one high-ticket item, and split the cost among several people. This is a great way to contribute something awesome without overspending.
Get Creative
The best gifts are the personal ones, so instead of writing a check, gift the new couple something special (and budget-friendly). If you’ve got the talent, consider painting a family portrait, creating a scrapbook, or offering to photograph the event. You could also get a gift card for somewhere on their honeymoon or from where they had their first date. The newlyweds will surely appreciate your heartfelt and memorable effort.
Let’s face it, the wedding season is expensive. But don’t get discouraged. It’s possible to attend all your summer nuptials without going broke by Labor Day! With a little planning, organization, coordination with others, and some creativity, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying every celebration of love without worrying about the consequences on your bank account.