It’s no secret that weddings cost money. But, witnessing your loved ones say their “I Do’s” is worth the hefty price tag. To help offset some of those costs, we’ve come up with the best ways to save—and where you should splurge—when attending a wedding.
Where to save:
Rent a dress
When attending weddings, there are often lots of pictures taken, causing us to always want something new. But instead of buying a brand new dress that you may only wear once, try renting one. With sites like renttherunway.com and stylelend.com, you can get gorgeous, designer dresses for so much less.
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Ditch the room block
As a favor to their guests, couples will often block off a set of rooms under their name so people can easily book accommodations. But, while the room blocks can sometimes be the best route (many couples are able to snag awesome rates for these!), know that there are always other options. Research other hotels in the area or even try renting an AirBnB with other friends attending the wedding—it could save you tons and be a super fun solution.
Shop around
The same can be said for registries. If you see a gift on a couple’s registry site that you love, try searching for it somewhere else. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to find the item, or something similar, for a much lower price.
Plan Early
Once you get the save-the-date, start researching. Hotel rooms and airline flights are often much cheaper farther out, and if you start looking at gifts now, chances are something will go on sale before you need to buy it. The same can be said for dresses, suits and all the other things you’ll need for the wedding, too.
Where to splurge:
Gift nicely
As we said above, always shop around, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy something cheap. Here, it’s less about the money and more about the sentiment. If your friend or family member loves giraffes and you see awesome giraffe-shaped candle holders, get them. Or if you think they’ll love a DIY and you end up spending a bit more on supplies than you originally intended, know that their love for the gift will be worth it in the end.
Don’t skimp on the shoes
This one is so important! Weddings are all-day affairs and you’ll be walking around in those shoes for the entirety of it, not to mention dancing the night away. Get shoes that fit you perfectly and will keep your feet comfortable for hours. Just don’t forget to break them in before the wedding!
Stay a while
Attending a destination wedding? Or even a wedding an hour from your home? Try to make a vacation out of it and stay an extra day or two. Plan a romantic night out with your S.O. the day after the wedding or a fun day-trip with your girlfriends on your way home. Making the whole weekend feel more like a vacation will make the spending seem far more worth it.
Show support
This one doesn’t involve one cent. As cheesy as it may sound, the most important place to splurge is with your emotions. The money aspect can be stressful for guests, but just remember why you’re there and the special moment you are about to witness. Keep any money woes to yourself (or vent to friends—just leave the bride out of it!) and never skimp on love, hugs, and emotional support.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.