How to save money when attending multiple weddings

Attending weddings is a delightful pleasure for most people – the ability to witness two people that you love and care about exchange vows and pledge to spend their lives together is truly an honour! An, erm, awfully expensive honour at times! Now, it is obvious that the highest cost is usually heaped upon the bride and groom (or their families!), being a wedding guest can be unexpectedly pricey.

While attending one wedding can be costly, attending two, three or more (even 11 in one year, according to this article in the Telegraph!) can be seriously crippling for the pocket book. According to a 2013 Guardian article, the average cost of attending a wedding is 377 pounds per person!

If you (and potentially your spouse) are attempting to keep your credit score high (unsure about the state of your credit score? Naughty! Do an Experian credit check here), your savings account full and your budgets on track each month, attending three weddings in one year can set a couple back 2000 pounds. Multiply that cost by two or three years in a row, and you will have put a major dent in your savings planning and potentially delayed a home purchase – or even your own wedding. Also remember to check out sites such as DealsDaddy and look out for discount codes online.

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While the costs can double, triple or quadruple depending on how many nuptial celebrations you are attending in one year, there are a few ways that you can save money when faced with multiple wedding invitations. Here is a brief list that you might find helpful when planning your social calendar over the next year.

• Buy a great, versatile dress – A beautiful, high quality dress that works across multiple seasons will serve you very well. Choose a neutral (yet flattering) colour and a fabric that you can wear in both the summer and the winter.
• Accessorize like mad! If you are invited to four weddings in one year, you should know that these photos will be shared across social media – you don’t want to be caught in the same dress detailed above multiple times! Buy a few lovely scarfs, a blazer, some cute shoes, a pretty cardigan and other versatile pieces that you can add to your dress and style it look wonderful and unique for every wedding you attend.
• Buy gifts in bulk – Attending three weddings and want to give the young couple some art or a household appliance? Look for items that you can buy in bulk and get a deal on – this works best if the couples do not know eachother!
• Book your travel in advance – Make sure that you book your flights and train travel in advance – nothing can add up more quickly that last minute travel. Booking your travel at the last minute can often amount to throwing money in the loo.

Attending weddings is a joy – a costly joy, but a joy nonetheless. Do you have any suggestions on how to save money when attending multiple weddings in one year? Leave your comments and tips in the comment section below.

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