21 Ways To Save Money As A Wedding Guest

    Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blew up my bank account.

    Augusta Falletta
    by Augusta Falletta

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed Life
    Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed Life

    1. Shop the registry gifts elsewhere.

    Augusta Falletta / Via BuzzFeed

    For example, this 12-piece knife set costs $262 at Bloomingdale's but $99 on Amazon.com. Why would you not save $163?

    If you find identical registry items at discount retailers, just call the store where the couple is registered to have them remove the item from the registry.

    2. Or find out where they're registered and sign up for the store's mailing list.

    3. And have the gifts shipped straight to the couple's address to avoid extra baggage fees when you travel.

    Dave Blazek / Via blog.friendlyplanet.com

    The cost of a blender can really go up when you have to pay an extra $50 to check it on a flight. (Bonus: it's easier for the couple to not have to bring too many gifts home from the actual wedding.)

    4. Make a thoughtful DIY gift that won't break the bank.

    Delightfully Noted / Via delightfullynoted.blogspot.com

    Get the instructions for this love map here, and see even more inexpensive DIY wedding present ideas here.

    5. Use your credit card or phone bill rewards to buy gifts from the registry.

    rewards.verizonwireless.com

    Check with your phone company, bank, employer, and any organization you belong to about a rewards program. There's typically a 10–20% discount available.

    6. Split the cost of the gift with friends.

    7. Send them snacks for the after-after-party.

    8. But if you'd rather give money, don't feel pressured to give more than you can afford.

    Apatow Productions / Via Relativity Media

    The "guideline" for how much you should give is what you'd spend on your own plate at a really nice dinner. (Which is not the same as what the couple is spending on your plate at the reception.) If that's $50, that's OK! You don't need to drop hundreds of dollars just because it's a ~fancy~ wedding.

    9. It's perfectly fine to decline a wedding invite.

    HBO

    You don't need to attend every single wedding you're invited to, so if you need to decline because there's no way your budget can handle it, just say no.

    10. And if you do decline, you're not obligated to send a gift.

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    Sending a gift in your place is great, but you're in no way obligated to send anything once you decline.

    Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed Life

    11. Try Airbnb for accommodations.

    Airbnb / Via airbnb.com

    Instead of staying at a hotel suggested by the couple, check the local availability on Airbnb. You can filter your search by price, location, and how much space you'll need (an entire place, a private room, or a shared room) to get exactly what you want for a price that works.

    12. Or split a hotel room with friends.

    13. If you only need a car between the hotel and the reception, consider using a service like Uber or Lyft instead of renting a car.

    14. But if you're renting a car, look into smaller chains like Payless and Sixt for bigger discounts.

    Comedy Central / Via youtube.com

    Instead of the big names in car rentals (Avis, Hertz, Budget) check out smaller companies like Payless, Fox Rent A Car, and Sixt. Because they've got less overhead, the prices of the smaller companies are way discounted.

    15. Purchase flights on a Tuesday evening.

    Flickr User: prawnpie / Via goo.gl

    It's not a guarantee, but many airlines restock their flights on Monday evenings. By Tuesday evening, airlines have matched their competitors' prices, so the largest amount of cheap flights are available at that time.

    Also, make sure you clear your cache before searching for flights. If a website can detect that you've been searching for a specific flight, they may raise the prices on your search.

    16. Check Expedia.com/deals for daily discount offers on travel.

    Jenny Chang / Via BuzzFeed Life

    17. Rent a dress instead of buying.

    You can rent suits online, too.

    18. Or buy a staple outfit with the intention of wearing it multiple ways.

    The Daily Debrief / Via thedailydebrief.debenhams.com

    With a neutral suit, you can mix and match it with different accessories to make completely different looks for each occasion, especially if you're going to weddings with different dress codes.

    Add a jacket, belt, collar, tights, or jewelry to make the same LBD look like a completely different outfit.

    Merrick White / Via babble.com

    Check out Merrick's Art for more inspiration on how to wear one piece multiple ways.

    19. Have an old bridesmaid dress tailored into a cocktail dress.

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    Bring the dress to a tailor, or follow these instructions on how to tailor a dress at home.

    20. Wear one pair of wedding season shoes that go with every outfit.

    Pursuit of Shoes / Via pursuitofshoes.com

    Go with a neutral color and a simple silhouette so the shoe is as versatile as can be.

    21. Do your own hair and makeup.

    Erica Camille / Via ericacamilleproductions.com

    Practice on the weekends leading up to the wedding to get the exact look you want. Try these DIY hairstyles and check out these beauty tips.

    And remember that when it comes down to it, wedding season is about celebrating your friends and family being in love!

    Jaime Vedres / Via jaimevedres.com

    So try not to stress too much about the money.