As spring slips between our fingers and early summer approaches, thereâs one thing in many of our minds: wedding season. Celebrating your favorite couple is always a joy, but itâs not always easy on your wallet. Your bank account doesnât have to weep at the sound of wedding bells, all it takes is a little bit of finesse and preparation.
Who said you canât be a gorgeous guest on a budget? Hereâs how itâs 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 oneâs 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 donât splurge and never go into debt for someone elseâs wedding.
Gift Guide
Weâre all about saving money, but should you DIY a gift to save an extra buck? Unless youâre an expert artist or craftsman, we donât 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 itâs created to find gift that works with your budget that the new couple will appreciate for years to come.
Wardrobe, Letâs 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 youâll probably just wear once. For this wedding season and onward, go with old reliable.
That being said, if youâve got nothing to wear, itâs time to find your reliable wedding guest uniform. Youâre going to want something flattering, classic, and made to last. Steer clear from cheap garments that will be unusable by the time youâre ready to go to the next wedding. If youâre 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 isnât everything. As long as youâre comfortable and meet the dress code, youâre good to go.
Saying NoÂ
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 isnât a trap, itâs just an invite.
Send well wishes to the happy couple and utilize the âwill not be in attendanceâ 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
- Itâs okay to say no