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Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips

Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Planning your own wedding is expensive but so is attending one. Guests have to cover everything from a wedding gift to hotel accommodation in order to attend. The average wedding guest is spending close to $900 in the US, according to the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker, and we don’t think the UK is far off...

Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips | Guides for Brides

There are several ways for guests to save without making a fuss or looking cheap. The first is to establish how close you are to the couple that are tying the knot, and then set a budget for the three main expenses: travel, clothing and gifts.

Travel

First thing’s first; don’t wait around to organise travel. You're provided with this information well in advance so you can start looking at your options early. Contact the wedding venue and see if they offer accommodation because there is often a deal for wedding guests (which the couple usually mention in their wedding invitations).

If you're attending with friends, look into accommodation that suits multiple guests - this makes the individual cost much cheaper per person.

Weddings typically take place in beautiful locations, whether that's in the UK or overseas. If you are attending a destination wedding then educate yourself on airlines and flights that serve that particular location - be savvy and play the game - you might be able to find flights at a steal price.

Another great tip is to arrange flights that arrive at the destination at a similar time to other guests so you can arrange transportation to the venue together. This also applies for UK weddings - rent a minibus for the whole gang and share petrol costs - every little helps!

Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips | Guides for Brides

Clothing

Men have this one much easier - buy one suit and accessorise it differently. Purchase a few ties, pocket squares and cufflinks and this will keep your wedding outfit looking fresh.

For women, the idea of buying one dress and adding different accessories doesn’t go down as well if they're attending multiple weddings. Why not have a look at renting outfits and accessories as well as borrowing from friends and family to keep the costs down.

Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips | Guides for Brides

Gifts

We know you always want to give something impressive and memorable to the newly weds, but it’s important to set a realistic budget and stick to it.

Couples usually add items with low, medium and high prices to their gift list. If you want to go large, contribute to more substantial gifts with other guests.

If you’d rather not go with something off the registry then that’s ok too! A gift that is small and personal is a great alternative if you're having to cough up enough dough to attend, or perhaps a little something towards their honeymoon (a particularly popular request nowadays).

If you really can’t afford attending the wedding, then sending a gift in order to express your gratitude for the invitation is a thoughtful gesture too.

Wedding Guests: Money Saving Tips | Guides for Brides

Follow these tips and hopefully being a wedding guest doesn't have to break the bank and you can enjoy the celebration without money worries!

Want to know more?

Read our Frequently Asked Questions by guests here

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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