How to Be Cheap but Chic When Attending a Wedding
[Guest post by Kathryn Vercillo.]Attending a wedding can be a really pricey affair. You have to get a gift for the happy couple. You have to make arrangements to attend the event which frequently means traveling somewhere and/or losing time from work. And you certainly want to show up looking your best which may mean getting new clothes and having your makeup done. If you know more than one person getting married in a wedding season then you can find yourself struggling to work out your budget to allow you to attend their special events. It's important to be smart about how you do your spending when it comes to attending a wedding.
The easiest thing to save money on is your own appearance. Unless you are a part of the wedding party, you can find something affordable to wear that is appropriate for the occasion but that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. Going for a vintage look, re-using an old outfit, purchasing an item that can be returned, borrowing wedding clothing and getting your look on sale are all methods of making a smart choice on your wedding clothing. Remembering that the day isn't even about you also helps to put into perspective how much money you should be spending to get dressed up for a wedding.
Getting a vintage dress (or suit) to wear to a wedding can be a really great option. Many of us want to wear special outfits to special occasions like weddings but it doesn't make sense to go out to buy a brand new dress that you're only going to wear once or twice. Getting a classic vintage dress/suit from a used clothing store (or an online reseller) allows you to select something really beautiful without paying full price for it. The other major option for reducing the cost of a new outfit is to make sure that you purchase a dress that is on clearance sale.
Instead of simply reducing what you spend on your wedding attire, you can actually eliminate the cost altogether through a few different methods. If you have something in your closet that has only been worn once then it may be appropriate to wear it again to the wedding. This is particularly true if the wedding is for someone you don't see often who would never know that this dress has been worn. Alternatively, you can borrow a nice dress from a friend for this occasion. Or you could go the route of purchasing a new dress, wearing it with the tags on and tucked in and then returning it for full-price when the wedding is over (J: Hah! Sneaky sneaky). The only problem with that last option is that if you ruin the dress then you won't be able to return it.
Your wedding attire is the easiest thing to avoid spending money on, but you can save money on the rest of the wedding as well. Reduce travel costs by booking tickets early and sharing a room with other guests while you're there. Select a wedding gift that is stylish but at the lower end of the budget on the wedding registry. Primarily, it's all about being conscious of how much money you're spending to attend a wedding. The fact is that this day isn't about you so you don't have to spend a lot of money to impress people there. Be your usual stylish self and keep a frugal mindset, and the day should go just fine!
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Kathryn is a writer for Promotionalcodes.org.uk which gives away free voucher codes (like this Laura Ashley Promotional Code) and also publishes money saving ideas. She recently brought us the "Top 15 Frugal Living Twitterers" as well!
Labels: frugality, girl stuff, guest post, saving, thrift stores, wedding
posted by J. Money at
9:02 AM
14 Comments:
I have to admit, the whole idea that you have to buy a new outfit for a wedding has never made sense to me. Unless, of course, you are part of the party or a close family member and will appear in photos. Don't get me wrong, I am a fairly snappy dresser, but as the author states, the wedding isn't about you.
A nice, seasonally appropriate "church" outfit is perfect. This from your guest author, "If you have something in your closet that has only been worn once then it may be appropriate to wear it again to the wedding. This is particularly true if the wedding is for someone you don't see often who would never know that this dress has been worn." just cracked me up! J. Money, you've been married - I challenge you to tell me what anyone at your wore. I barely remember my husband's tux, let alone what other people wore.
Most guys have got a tie and a suit jacket, most ladies have a few dresses or skirts. That's is all you need to start putting together something to wear to a wedding. Most times you don't need to buy new - it is just an excuse to go shopping.
I love the comment, "remembering the event isn't about YOU". I think we tend to get caught up in ourselves a bit more than we need to. I know I've been a victim of that thinking. Thanks for the reminder. Great post!
I agree, people lose focus when it comes to weddings and other events that are focused around other people. The person with something to celebrate will just be happy you came out to help make their event special! They could probably care less if your outfit is last seasons Prada.
I'm with Dawn on the fact that you don't have to buy a new outfit to wear to a wedding. A month from now no one is going to remember what YOU wore as a guest, unless of course it is something insanely inappropriate for the occasion, but I think that most of us can make that judgment call!
I'd say spending $0 on an outfit for someones wedding is probably the biggest savings one can have!
The event it's about "me" but sometimes it's viewed as a special event by women because we can have a reason to dress up in a really nice outfit. I'm a wife, a pastor, & a student so going somewhere really wonderful & having a cause to wear my really nice clothes isn't an option. I'm busy. There's very little time for more than a movie. I don't go out to buy new clothes usually but I wouldn't mind if the finances were in place. :)
Hey - I'm just checking out your blog for the first time. I found you through EOD. Love your site! My husband and I are following Dave Ramsey's baby steps and are trying to immerse ourself in all things financial. If we can get ahead during these hard times, we'll be in a much better state when it all turns around. I'm going to poke around your site for a big longer! =)
-D
http://thehatcherfam-debtfree.blogspot.com
Are you honestly suggesting to buy clothing, wear it, and then return it? That is NOT frugal, it's trashy and gross. I'm sorry, but this is bad advice.
Not one of my favorite posts for a couple of reasons.
First the suggestion of buying something with the intention of returning it is wrong. It's not only gross but unethical.
Second, I don't know many people who feel they need a brand new outfit no one's seen for the wedding (and I'm a female).
Yes, I'm cringing at the idea of buying clothes, wearing them, and planning on returning them.
The other tips are good, though. Especially sharing hotel rooms!
@Dawn - You're right, I couldn't tell you at all what other people were wearing...unless you allowed me to look at pictures first ;) I'll agree that it's an excuse for some people to go shopping for a new outfit, but I'm not entirely against that either if you're not picking them up every other week. Even though I'm a dude, I love getting a new outfit every now and then - makes you feel good, ya know>
@Daisy - I liked that line too ;) Glad you enjoyed it.
@Ashley - For sure! And somewhat random here, but be sure to bring a gift no matter how big or small! I don't say that to be a dick or anything, but it SUCKS when you're trying to do thank yous and you can't tell if that person brought you something :( Did it get lost? Did someone steal it (it's been known to happen), Did they just forget? I honestly don't care what it is, although I appreciate all gifts, but I can tell you right now that I still wonder about 8 of our friends & family....I still don't know what's up. (I kinda got sidetracked there! haha...)
@MK - I'll agree savings is high in that department.
@Anonymous - Well said! I totally agree with that. I see no problems with buying a new outfit if you're a) smart about it and b) really look forward to wearing it out.
@Danielle - Awesome, thanks! Welcome aboard my friend ;) Although I must warn you, I like credit cards a tiny bit more than Brad! haha... (I'll check out your site too here in a few)
@Anonymous - I was wondering if we'd hear from anyone about that. Creative idea, but I'll agree it walks a fine line. Thx for dropping by :)
@akeka - Another one! see above comment...
@dink2sink - Well they just keep flowing in, eh? Yeah, I like the sharing hotel room idea too - I do that for 90% of them :)
I have to agree with the original poster here, b/c just about everyone I know does buy a new dress/outfit for a wedding. Maybe a lot of it has to do with age and where you live though. Personally, I tend to buy new dresses for weddings frequently, but only after I've "cycled" a certain dress through two or three different weddings/groups of friends. Because I'm at the age where most of my friends are getting married, there are a LOT of weddings to attend, and recycling one or two dresses throughout all of them just looks kinda tacky--not to mention, I get sick of them myself!
I agree that buying a dress on clearance is a great way to cut costs and still feel stylish. I don't think buying a dress with the intention of returning it is "gross" unless you soil the dress. If you just wear it for a few hours and then take it back, I don't see how that's much different from trying it on at home a few times--but other avenues are probably a better bet, especially if you plan on dancing (ie sweating). Buying a dress out of season is a good option too, especially if you know you will have multiple weddings in the coming year.
"Buying" a dress, wearing it to an event and then returning it to the store for a full refund is just not okay. If you don't realize it is stealing from the store you are deluding yourself.
There are places in large cities that rent formal wear for women. If that is what you want to do, fine - rent something. It is totally unethical to attempt to rent an outfit from a regular store. Sorry, I was just totally shocked by this advice!
I have maybe 4 or 6 nice, wedding guest appropriate, dresses in my closet that I have picked up when they are on sale and then on sale again, often after prom season. I have spent probably in the $20-$30 range for each dress, without stealing!
And in case anyone is worried, there is nothing rude about wearing the same outfit to more than one wedding!
I'll have to admit that I'm sometimes happy when I'm not invited to wedding showers. I don't ever have an issue with buying clothes (just throw on a lbd), just bridal shower, engagement shower, bachelorette party, etc. I can't imagine asking my friends to buy me gifts at all of these events!
Yup, completely sleazy and 'not chic' to steal an outfit, quasi-sweat it up, and return it...talk about trashy and low-class, no matter what kind of clothing or event...just dishonest and low...I won't read more by this woman...
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