Cutting Costs for Weddings...as a Guest!

Yes, it is wedding season.  We know. However, while most posts and tips and tricks for cutting costs on weddings are dedicated to the brides and grooms, we thought we would take a different spin on it.  Weddings are expensive, there is no doubt about it, so much so that many couples take out an insurance policy on them.  However, it is not only expensive for the bride and groom, but for the guests as well.  Guests, especially people in their late twenties, are oftentimes invited to numerous weddings over the course of the season.  This means many, many gifts that they are giving in order to celebrate with all of the happy couples.  While the issue is not commemorating with friends and family, it is the immense amount of money needed to be spent in order to attend just one wedding.  Therefore, we thought we could help in order to save some of these guests money over the next couple of months.

-       If you are really tight on cash and are not very close with the bride or groom, skip the bridal shower or stag and the bachelorette or bachelor parties.  This will allow you to get one nice gift for the wedding instead of three mediocre ones.

-       If a friend is having a destination wedding, rethink attending as a hotel room and airfare can add up quickly.  Send a thoughtful gift with a handwritten card instead.

-       While brides are usually picky about their registry, it may be better for you to NOT order something from it.  Definitely take a look at what the bride and groom want, but then hit the discount stores to see if you can find something comparable at a lesser price.

-       If you and your friends are all invited to the same wedding, split the cost.  Whether that means share a hotel room, gift, or road trip instead of flying to the location, it will be sure to come out to a lesser amount than if you were to go in on something alone.

-       If you simply cannot afford it, politely decline the invitation to be in the wedding party.  While it is an honor, it is an expensive honor.  Tell the bride or the groom that you are flattered, but would just like to be considered a guest.