Saving During Wedding Season

Summer is the time for beach trips, lazy afternoons, and — of course — weddings. American Express determined Americans planned to attend an average of 3 weddings in 2016 and would spend about $700 on each wedding! By the end of the summer, you could have spent a couple grand on wedding travel alone, and it’s not even your own big day. So how do you keep from breaking the bank?

1. Prioritize weddings

You may need to say “No” to a few RSVPs, but consider which weddings are most important for you to attend. Friends and family understand not everyone they invite will be able to attend, and it’s ok to turn down the invitation.

2. Find good deals

You could consider redeeming points for airfare or hotels. You may also find there is discounted rooms at the wedding venue, or you can opt to stay at another, cheaper location close-by.

Consider purchasing a discounted gift card for one of the stores the couple registered at. You can either give them the gift card or use it to save money on buying their gift.

3. Book flights in advance

As soon as you RSVP, book your flight. You could consider watching for deals on discount airlines such as Frontier or JetBlue as well as sign up for deal alerts on airlines that fly the route you need to take. You can also use sites such as Hipmunk or apps such as Hopper to find the best deals on flights.

4. Make a summer budget first

Before you do anything, make a summer budget that includes day-to-day costs and vacations and trips. Determine how much you want to spend on each wedding then stick to that budget.

5. Don’t break bank on a gift.

On average, American Express estimates people spend around $100 on wedding gifts. Make sure you purchase other things for the wedding first, such as travel, hotel rooms, and clothes, then determine how much you have left for a gift. You can always opt for a more creative gift, such as a photo album. Check out Pinterest for ideas.

6. Combine the wedding with another trip

If you were planning on taking a family vacation, plan to explore the locale with your family after the wedding. Or make a girls trip out of the event. Either way, you’ll be giving yourself a two-for-one deal which will keep your wallet happy and full.