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As spring slips between our fingers and early summer approaches, there’s one thing in many of our minds: wedding season. Celebrating your favorite couple is always a joy, but it’s not always easy on your wallet. Your bank account doesn’t have to weep at the sound of wedding bells, all it takes is a little bit of finesse and preparation.
Who said you can’t be a gorgeous guest on a budget? Here’s how it’s done.
Create Your Sinking Fund
Start setting aside funds for the wedding as soon as you have the save the date. In fact, start your sinking fund as soon as you hear about a loved one’s wedding. The more time you have to fill the fund, the better.
Consider travel funds, time off, lodging, gifts, and wardrobe when setting a goal for your sinking fund. As always, consult your budget to guarantee you don’t splurge and never go into debt for someone else’s wedding.
Gift Guide
We’re all about saving money, but should you DIY a gift to save an extra buck? Unless you’re an expert artist or craftsman, we don’t think so. Save your time and your pride by getting the newlyweds something they actually want.
The first purchase from your sinking fund should definitely be the gift. When it comes to gift registries, the early bird gets the worm. Check the registry as soon as it’s created to find gift that works with your budget that the new couple will appreciate for years to come.
Wardrobe, Let’s Talk About It
If you already have an outfit you can wear to the wedding, wear it. Trust us, no one will notice. There is no such thing as an outfit repeater in the budget life, just smart and sustainable shoppers. Seriously, save yourself the stress and effort of finding new wedding guest attire you’ll probably just wear once. For this wedding season and onward, go with old reliable.
That being said, if you’ve got nothing to wear, it’s time to find your reliable wedding guest uniform. You’re going to want something flattering, classic, and made to last. Steer clear from cheap garments that will be unusable by the time you’re ready to go to the next wedding. If you’re afraid of being clocked as an outfit repeater, get an outfit that can support different looks by using different accessories.
Wardrobe is important, but it isn’t everything. As long as you’re comfortable and meet the dress code, you’re good to go.
Saying No
If the expected costs of a wedding are just too much to muscle, it is okay to respectfully decline your invitation.
Saying no to a loved one is undeniably difficult, but not nearly as devastating as it may seem. Remember, wedding invitations give you an option to say no to your RSVP for a reason. A wedding invite isn’t a trap, it’s just an invite.
Send well wishes to the happy couple and utilize the “will not be in attendance” prompt on the RSVP. We assure you that the couple will still love you after the fact.
Things to Remember
- Start saving early
- Be the first to get to the registry
- Never be afraid to repeat an outfit
- It’s okay to say no