Sarah Brooks
Adam French
Everyone knows paying for a wedding is expensive for those planning their big day, but attending as a wedding guest is also no cheap undertaking. There will be costs to consider, from travel and accommodation to gifts, outfits and the late-night bar bill.
The average cost of attending a wedding as a guest in the UK is more than £1,000, according to a 2023 American Express survey. With this in mind, for those who have a wedding to attend this year with few spare funds, here are five tips that could help you enjoy the day without breaking the bank.
1. The earlier the accommodation, the better
A big saving can be made on accommodation, which can set guests back around £200 on average. One of the best ways to save money is booking your accommodation early – as soon as you take the invite out of the envelope.
By booking straightaway you can snap up the more affordable options before anyone else. Bonus points if you can split the accommodation with other guests too – for example, hiring an Airbnb with multiple rooms could work out cheaper than a hotel.
Guy Gyngell, a music manager specialising in weddings and events, has recommended staying in a budget hotel nearby. “This will often work out more cost-effective than staying at the wedding venue, even factoring in taxis to and from the venue (if you don’t have a designated driver), and the couple’s discounted rate at their venue for family and friends,” he said in an email to NerdWallet UK.
If you’re planning ahead, you could also save money on train travel with an advance ticket. Half a million tickets for less than £10 are released each week, and some of them can also be combined with Railcard discounts.
Advance tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis and are available up to 12 weeks ahead of travel. However, they are only available for single journeys and must be used on the date and train specified.
2. Favours are your friend
Calling in any favours ahead of time can also save you money on babysitting or pet-sitting. For example, a typical pet-sitter could charge on average between £10 and £15 per hour, around £60 for the day and then overnight boarding may add another £25 to this expense. Planning ahead and securing a friendly face to cuddle up with your pet is a good way to cut this cost.
You can also cut the cost of a taxi by asking those who live in your neighbourhood for a lift to the venue (with enough advance notice and goodwill). Or you could ask other guests staying nearby to share a taxi or, even better, to give you a lift if they are driving to the venue.
3. Being thrifty with your oufit pays
Once you have your place for the night and your ride, it’s time to think about what you will wear to the big day.
“Buying a new outfit can also be a considerable cost when it comes to attending a wedding – we all feel the pressure to not be an outfit repeater when everything is documented on social media,” Zoe Burke, a leading UK wedding expert and Editor of Hitched, told NerdWallet.
“But try dressing up something you already own with new accessories, or doing a wardrobe swap with a friend.”
Gyngell agrees that using existing items is a good way to try to keep the price of attending the celebration down: “You don’t need to buy new shoes for every wedding you attend. I have shoes that are 10-plus years old that I look after and scrub up perfectly for weddings.”
Asking your friends to borrow outfits is another top money-saver, especially if you have multiple weddings in a year. Of course, it isn’t always an option, but sites that sell pre-loved items such as Vinted and eBay could be affordable alternatives to buying a new outfit.
“I’ve bought amazing wedding guest outfits for as little as £5 before, freeing up my funds for more prosecco on the day,” Burke added.
4. Gift in groups
When thinking about gifts, the American Express survey found gifts for the couple (including cash) to be the biggest expense, setting guests back £217.90 on average. One tip is to ask as early as possible for a gift list. This means you’re more likely to have first pick at more affordable items and more time to look for any offers or deals.
Alternatively, you can lean on other guests to chip in and help purchase one of the higher ticket items on the couple’s gift list.
“Gift pooling with friends or family can be a great way to buy couples gifts if you would like to buy something that you wouldn’t be able to afford if buying on your own,” said Gyngell.
If you can’t stretch your budget you could use your own talent. Burke explained: “If you’re working to a really tight budget, you can always give them your time – if you’ve got a particular skill, such as being a great cook, make them a voucher for your services.”
5. Set a bar budget – and stick to it
Arguably, one of the biggest expenses for a wedding guest can be the bar – and the dreaded bank balance check the following morning to assess the damage.
However, there are steps you can take to limit the harm. Asking in advance about plans for food and drink for the day can help you work out a budget for the celebration.
Once you’ve worked out a rough budget, a prepaid card can help you spend only what you can comfortably afford. Alternatively, withdrawing cash before the big day and only spending what you have can help you stick to your limit.
You’ll need to check to see if the venue accepts cash, cards or both. When deciding on your budget don’t overlook the wedding premium some venues may add to your bar bill.
As Gyngell explained: “It’s worth checking that the venue’s bar tariff doesn’t change on wedding days. I’ve known of this to happen, making for a nasty surprise on the day for couples and their guests.”
It pays to make attending affordable when weddings are coming thick and fast. Planning is key to saving as much money as possible, said Burke: “If you plan ahead, it is possible to attend a wedding affordably.”
Image source: Getty Images
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