Attending Multiple Weddings This Year? Here Are 3 Tips to Help Manage Costs

Thanks to a backlog of rescheduled events, weddings are dominating upcoming social calendars, with 2.5 million nuptials planned this year alone — the most since 1984.

Add in rising prices and 2022 has become an especially expensive time to be a wedding guest. From gifts to clothes to travel, one recent survey found that invitees could spend several thousand dollars attending weddings this year.

While it’s a good idea to start mapping out a budget as soon as you receive a save-the-date, read on for some additional tips to help manage the cost of being a wedding guest in 2022 and beyond. 

Tips for managing wedding guest costs 

Consider lodging a town away 

According to John Alden, owner and wedding venue manager of Mountain House Estate in Cloverdale, California, the wedding expense he sees guests struggle with the most is travel —especially when it comes to destination weddings located in expensive areas.

“Having a wedding in Hawaii, Napa, or the Bahamas sounds like fun, but the cost of the travel, meals and rooms can make a real dent in the pocketbook,” he says.

If you prefer to be close to the festivities, ask the guests of honor where they are staying. “Most couples will get a block of rooms reserved,” Alden says, “Get in there early and reserve your room while the discount applies.” 

But if you have to attend a wedding in a pricey area and you’re willing to trade proximity for price, consider booking your accommodations slightly outside of where the wedding is being held. “For example, if the wedding is in Napa Valley, by simply booking your room in Santa Rosa, you can save over half the cost per night,” Alden says.    

While there’s always a chance you may be able to save money on last-minute travel, it’s always a safer bet to book your reservations sooner rather than later.

Focus on a personal gift over a pricey one 

It’s natural to want to shower the couple with a gift that demonstrates your love for them. But if you’re looking to save on a wedding present, focus on the practical and sentimental over a high price tag.

If the couple you’re shopping for has a registry, be intentional while browsing: Have they mentioned needing a new set of bath towels, or wanting to upgrade their pots and pans? A gift that you know will get regular use will be particularly appreciated.

You could also consider going the personal route — a custom item like an ice bucket or pottery with the couple’s names and wedding date engraved will likely be more memorable than another set of coffee mugs. “Being personalized shows you care and frequently can be obtained at a savings,” Alden says. 

Be selective with your RSVPs 

In a year with multiple wedding invites to prioritize, it’s now more acceptable than ever to whittle down your RSVPs — whether it be due to a scheduling conflict or for financial reasons.  

And while you may feel more obligated to go if you’re asked to be a member of the wedding party, know you’re in good company: 36 percent of consumers have turned down the offer due to high costs.

If you decide to decline, Alden suggests sending a handwritten note with your regrets. “Make it personal and tell them how much they mean to you,” he says.