Bring down the cost of being a wedding guest
After more than a year of postponements due to the pandemic, it feels like ‘wedding season’ is now a year-round affair, as couples finally get the chance to say ‘I do’.
It’s always wonderful to be invited to a friend or family member’s ‘big day’, yet when you add up the costs of travel, accommodation, gifts, outfits and drinks, being a wedding guest doesn’t come cheap. According to research from Goldsmiths, the average cost for a guest is £200,
But there are some simple ways to cut costs…
1. Rent your outfit
Wedding dress hire has been a huge trend this year, but it’s not just brides choosing to rent their outfits for the big day.
Womenswear fashion rental platforms like By Rotation, Endless Wardrobe and HURR offer stylish dresses, suits and accessories to rent for a few days at time for a fraction of the cost to buy them.
For men’s suits, try Formally Yours or Moss Hire.
2. Go halves on a gift
According to Ocean Finance, all-day guests are expected to spend around £50 to £100 on a gift, but if you club together with friends you can purchase a more lavish present while each spending less.
3. Shop around for hotels
While staying at the wedding venue (if there are rooms available) may be the most convenient option, oftentimes it’s not the most economical.
Comparison websites like Kayak and Trivago can help you find the cheapest hotels nearby.
4. Politely decline if you have to
If you’re faced with a stack of invitations and the prospect of travelling far and wide, you may want take a call on how many you can realistically attend.
You might want to limit your attendance to nuptials where you don’t have to stay overnight, or say no to the hen/stag parties.