Tips To Help Wedding Guests Say "I Do" To Savings

An invitation to a wedding is generally considered good news, but the expenses associated with attending one-especially an out-of-town event-may present more than a few financial challenges.

Fortunately, there are ways to save on your expenses as a wedding guest or member of the bridal party. Here are a few tips for travelers to avoid wedding guest debt:

• Do your homework when it comes to travel arrangements. If you have to fly, book as far in advance as you can to take advantage of discounted rates, which can be found by visiting a Web site that compares prices. Keep in mind that you may be able to get cheaper rates if you are prepared to fly early in the morning or late at night.

When deciding whether or not to rent a car, first crunch the numbers and consider all the expenses involved in getting around while you are there.

In some cases, it may actually save money to rent a car for a couple of days, especially if you have other guests to share expenses with. But in other situations, you may save by taking public transportation to and from the airport.

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• Explain your situation to the bride and groom. If you are a bridesmaid, for example, you may be able to persuade the bride to choose an inexpensive option for bridesmaid's dresses, preferably a dress that can be worn more than once. Or perhaps the bride can help you find an inexpensive place to stay, or suggest other guests you might be able to share a room or transportation with.


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Brides may be interested to learn how to take advantage of group booking Web sites that some hotels offer for guests. At Hampton hotels, for example, brides can manage group reservations on its online group booking site at hampton.com/wedding.

Brides can book five to 25 affordable guest rooms online and then use the Guest List Manager to review and update reservation information 24/7, and the Personalized Group Web pages to keep everyone updated on details for the big day, such as important times and directions.



• Save on food expenses. Some accommodations offer a coffeepot and a microwave for heating up food-or better yet, a free breakfast buffet.

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For meals other than those eaten with the bridal party, make sandwiches or snacks in your room. Also, pack an individual refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and to save on beverage costs.

• Use loyalty program points such as Hilton HHonors, Hertz #1 Club and/or Delta SkyMiles. Depending on the loyalty program, travelers can save on car rental costs and hotel accommodations, or even purchase wedding gifts with extra loyalty points.

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• Gift wisely. You don't want to scrimp on a wedding gift, but your friends will understand if you don't go overboard. Find out where they are registered and shop from their registry, which should offer a range of prices. Purchase a more inexpensive gift or split a larger wedding gift with a friend. All New Gifts on Sale at Things Remembered

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Another option is to offer helping out with the wedding if you have any special skills or talents the happy couple might like to use. If you're a photographer, for example, you may want to donate your skills to take the wedding photos. If you are a caterer, you may want to donate some of the wedding day food.


Being practical about planning can help keep your friend's special day from leaving a lasting dent in your wallet.

When you say "I do" to attending a wedding, you don't have to spend more than you can afford. A little advance planning can help you save on travel and hotel expenses.

Great Wedding Style On A Budget

WEDDING TIPS

There is good news for the many engaged couples searching for easy ways to save money without sacrificing style. Though weddings today cost an average of $28,800--and that doesn’t include the honeymoon, engagement ring or wedding planner--there are five steps couples can take even if their pockets aren’t quite as deep as their love for each other:

1. Schedule an off-season wedding. Even in matters of the heart, the laws of supply and demand apply. With nearly 70 percent of weddings taking place in May through October, your best money-saving months are January and February. Consider a morning ceremony followed by a lunchtime reception. This will set you back much less than a dinner reception.

2. Custom invitations without the custom price. It’s amazing what you can do with one simple invitation. With the help of a template like the ones found at Target.com, you can create a timeless, traditional masterpiece or a jaw-dropping, never-seen-before design. Find a computer-literate friend and all you’ll have to pay for is the paper.

Find the perfect invitation for your special day. Choose from hundreds of designs, customize your text, preview and order online.


3. Not just for brides anymore. Today’s registries are for much more than china and crystal. For example, Target Club Wedd offers brides and grooms a registry service that includes electronics, outdoor gear and the must-have gadgets for making the most of their new lives together.

4. Cut the guest list. The simple truth is that there is no quicker, easier way to control the budget than by limiting the size of the event. Remember, single guests can be invited without a “plus one.”



5. Bridal party gifts that do double duty. No need for expensive bridal party favors your friends won’t use. Couples can use Target.com to find favors, bridal party gifts, ideas on reception decor and photos. Photographers can be expensive. Give your bridal party digital cameras and encourage them to document the weekend and share their photos afterwards. Also, make sure they take photos early, while everyone still looks great.

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More money-saving tips can be found at www.Target.com.

A small budget doesn’t have to mean your big day will be short on style.