![]() Lovell, however, says that “if you declined a wedding, the bride and groom would expect a pretty good reason as to why”.Īs an alternative to opting out entirely, she advocates for skipping “parts of the wedding process” – for instance the hen’s or buck’s night, which can often cost more than the big day. If a destination wedding runs over multiple days, it is OK to attend only the main ceremony. But I’m going to be there with all my love and support.’” “Let them know, ‘I’d love to do it but I just can’t afford it at the moment. So if you are going through a financially tough time and you know that you can’t afford it, then be polite and fully honest,” Hardy says. “Obviously, the bride-to-be that’s asked you is a good friend. ![]() But you can decline an invitation to be a bridesmaid, Lovell and Hardy agree. That means the bridal party face the steepest wedding bills. ![]() It is now fairly standard for bridesmaids to pay their own way through dress fittings, parties and even grooming on the day. “Offer to pet sit for them while they’re on their honeymoon … it’s about the thought.” Don’t let bridesmaiding send you broke “It could be offering to help on the day by going to the flower markets in the morning, doing the playlist or handing out the program.”ĭevine agrees: “There are so many gifts … that don’t require money.” Be thoughtful and “use your skills,” Lovell says. If you’re really pinching your pennies, it may be better to bypass whipping out your wallet altogether. You might think the newlyweds won’t notice, but “of course they do”. Also on Lovell’s list of no-nos is regifting wrapping up a Groupon voucher (yes, she’s seen it happen) or “giving no present at all”. Lovell adds that “group gifts are totally acceptable” and can be a good way to camouflage contributions on the lower end of the price spectrum.īut she cautions against picking out your own gift when the couple have directed guests towards a registry or wishing well – ignoring their wishes is a common “pet peeve”. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Even a nice crystal serving platter seized from Vinnies, given some TLC and lovingly wrapped up could do the job, as long as the tell-tale op-shop price tag is removed, Hardy says. Hardy thinks there’s nothing wrong with picking up “lovely plates or a vase that’s on sale – things that are lifelong for the home”. If there’s no wishing well or gift registry, you’re able to get more frugal. ![]() In Lovell’s experience, $100 is the standard minimum contribution per-person, and that something in the range of $300-500 is more appropriate if you’re a couple giving to immediate family. Photograph: byrneck/Getty Images/iStockphoto Wishing wells and honeymoon funds have become fairly standard at Australian weddings. And that’s “if you’re on a mega-budget and single,” Lovell says. Both Hardy and Sarah Lovell, a wedding planner from Sydney, say that the lowest you can go with a cash gift is $50. Today, most couples opt for a wishing well. Gift giving, on the other hand, is a little more difficult to do on the cheap. It’s more about your presence than anything else.” Present concerns Zarife Hardy, director at the Australian School of Etiquette, says “if there’s a motel nearby, then take that option. “Buying dresses that we wear once – to me, that’s the biggest waste of money,” she says.Īnd if the big day is taking you out of town, don’t feel pressured to stay at the hotel suggested by the bride and groom. To avoid dropping a few hundred dollars on a look for every new event, Devine recommends exploring dress and suit rentals, borrowing from friends, or just good old-fashioned outfit repeating. The most obvious place to cut costs around a wedding, without offending anyone, is your outfit. Then, “when it comes to wedding season, you can actually go, you know what, I can afford. Like an emergency fund, but for fun things, it’s a reserve of money you only dip into when the occasion calls for it. She recommends building a “splurge fund” so you’re somewhat prepared for the wishing wells ahead. But we know if we’re in that season of life,” says Victoria Devine, host of She’s on the Money podcast and author of a new book on investing. “We can’t predict when our friends are going to get engaged and then pick their wedding dates.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |