Do you find yourself struggling to save money to attend a wedding? Well, you’re not alone on that.
The average cost of attending a wedding nowadays is a bit expensive; it now stands at $947. At present, couples want to make the most out of cheap wedding venues that want to fix their income following the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, people tend to turn down the big occasion when the cost of living is so high. According to experts, a study has recently found that about 24% of guests cannot afford to attend all the weddings they have been invited to.
Research reveals that the cost of the living crisis meant a third of invitees had to decline a wedding, stag does, or hen party this year.
Several guests are claiming that they might stay awake all night to avoid paying for a hotel room. Meanwhile, other guests only plan to attend if the wedding does not require an overnight stay.
Want to Save Money Before Attending a Wedding? Here’s How
The wedding season could be in full force at present. It is because getting married during a pandemic was not appealing to many couples.
We understand if you’re hesitating in responding ‘yes’ to a friend or a relative’s wedding. The continuous rise in essential costs makes it hard for us to attend weddings.
Even if we receive wedding invitations in advance, we want to prioritise our budgets to accommodate our daily expenses. The rising prices of essentials like groceries don’t help our case.
Fortunately, there are ways you can still RSVP a ‘yes’ to that wedding invitation. Check out the 11 tips we compiled below:
Use Price-Comparison Websites to Negotiate Better Deals
Price comparison sites will help you find the best deals for hotel rooms. However, most people use these websites to only book their stays.
As an alternative, we encourage you to negotiate a deal when after finding a deal on those websites. Try to strike a bargain by communicating with the accommodations directly. In that way, you will be able to negotiate an even lower price.
Image from iStock
Make the Most Out of Cashback Deals
There are some instances when sites give cash rewards when users click through them to make a purchase. When buying gifts and booking accommodation, you may check if you can get rewarded. With this, you get additional money after spending a certain amount.
Share a Ride With a Fellow Guest
It would be better to check if you can catch a ride with other wedding guests. As an alternative, you can offer a ride and request to split the petrol bill.
At present, the average travel cost when attending a wedding is $162. In addition, it is essential to make sure you shop around for the cheapest fuel.
Find Early Taxi Ride Deals
If you do not have a car and you will be travelling to the venue by taxi, costs may be high if the venue is in a remote location.
It would be best to book early; it will allow you to secure a good price for the journey and avoid late-night surges. Additionally, you can save more money for the wedding by inviting other guests to book with you.
Book Your Stay as a Group
You may consider looking for family-sized accommodation if you are attending a wedding with friends or family. It should be a place where everyone could stay and split the cost.
We suggest you connect with other attendees and book stays in bigger rooms. This helps you and other guests make the most out of the stay before the wedding However, remember to take note of available accommodations in the area and how advanced you book.
Buy a Second-Hand Outfit
Keep in mind that you do not have to spend so much for your outfit to look good and decent. Concerning this, you might want to consider second-hand clothes.
Buying second-hand things such as clothes, bags, and shoes are a good way to save money. It is easy to find a lot of stuff in an online marketplace and mobile applications.
Image from iStock
Rent a Dress or Tux
The price of a new wedding outfit varies, but it will surely cost you a lot of money compared to when you just rent one.
This option serves as a cheaper alternative to buying a new or second-hand outfit. We encourage you to check out rentals if you can’t imagine yourself using your chosen formal attire again.
Book Accommodation Early
It is best to book or reserve a room as soon as you receive the invitation; it will save you a cost. Several hotels let guests reserve rooms at a cheaper price when it is booked in advance.
Try Camping Sites Near the Wedding Venue
It would be cheaper to consider camping rather than staying at a hotel at the countryside weddings. Concerning this, you may check if there is a local campsite nearby which will usually have toilet and washing facilities.
Image from iStock
Contact Relatives or Friends You Can Stay With
If you don’t want to camp or book a hotel, we suggest you contact nearby relatives or friends. With this, you can enjoy a longer stay and catch up with your loved ones before the wedding.
Buy a Group Gift or Book a Honeymoon for the Couple
Nowadays, buying wedding gifts often leaves our wallets empty. You might want to consider linking up with other guests to provide a better and more expensive gift for the newlyweds.
This article has been republished with the permission of theAsianparent Singapore.