Just because the happy couple have splurged on their wedding, doesn’t mean you have to break the bank as their guest. Follow our five cost-saving tips and you’ll have a far more enjoyable nuptial experience.
1. Book your travel in advance
Last-minute flight or train tickets can cost you much more. Be prepared and as soon as you accept the wedding invite, book those tickets and save big on your travel expenses. Learning hacks such as booking for a Wednesday departure (cheaper fares) can leave you with more spending money. “Booking a flight on a day like Sunday or Monday will cost you 15% more on average” says Money Life Coach @tawnyashultz on TikTok.
@tawnyaschultz Finding ways to save money on flights and travel is huge. Make sure you know the right days and times to book your flight so that you can save the most money and spend more on doing cool things while you’re at your destination. Where are you traveling to this year? #traveltiktok #travelhacks #flighthacking #flighthack #savingmoney #savemoneytips #traveltok #southwestair ♬ Same Cycle Different Day – xJ-Will
2. Set a budget and stick to it
“Being a little more mindful of your spending can help your peace of mind, with a little bit of effort and a few more boundaries you can set a holiday budget and stick to it,” says YouTuber and organiser extraordinaire, Emily Ley. Once you’ve set your total budget, calculate a daily one and don’t exceed it.
3. Buy food instead of eating out
Whether you’re staying in an affordable local area or an expensive place for the wedding, it’s always cheaper to cater for yourself rather than eating out. Try the local supermarket away from tourist areas and shop frugally to make your own meals. “Some of our go-tos are just wraps with cheese and meat and makeshift salads,” say Tiktokers @hudsonandemily. This will make the occasional restaurant meal a treat rather than a costly ‘chore’.
@hudsonandemilyTravel hack to save money on food! Shop at the local grocery store 🙂 Here are some of our go-to “meals” to help save money while traveling! – wraps with cheese and lunchmeat – ramen – anything peanut butter (crackers, apples, etc.) – yogurt – canned meat – depending on the country, fruits and salads We love trying local food in the countries we visit and of course love to eat at restaurants, but shopping at local grocery stores has definitely helped stretch our budget!
4. Save on accommodation to stretch that budget further
You don’t need to stay in a ‘palace’ to get access to comfort, Wi-Fi and all the mod cons you need while attending the wedding. YouTuber Kristin Wilson @TravelingwithKristin)advises known websites like tripping.com “which will pull in 12 million properties from -that lesserall of the top vacation rentals” can save you big bucks while finding you decent places to stay.
5. Share costs
It’s likely that other wedding guests have the same financial concerns as you, especially if you are travelling abroad. Start a WhatsApp group with likeminded friends and find ways to share expenses (from buying groceries to paying for fuel) to make your budget go further.
Also read: 8 Financial tips to get you through the holiday
Words: Jim Hislop
