As wedding season is well underway, more than a third (36%) of British adults planning to attend at least one wedding this summer, which means the celebrations can easily become costly. According to recent research by American Express, today's wedding guests can expect to spend up to £640 each time they watch a couple tie the knot - an overall increase of 36% from last year - a sum which could bring a tear to the eye of even the most romantic or sentimental guest. To help guests manage their budgets, American Express has selected its top five tips to save money and earn rewards this wedding season:
Weddings on Female First
Hit the sales
With the research showing most people splurge more than £100 on a new outfit for each wedding they attend, it makes sense to be savvy when shopping. Taking advantage of the summer sales and keeping an eye out for bargains is always a good idea, and shopping out of season can ensure you're not caught wearing the same outfit as someone else.
Track down travel deals
More than half of people (56%) travel for more than two hours to reach a wedding destination, costing an average £96, which means money as well as time being spent. Through planning ahead, you can take advantage of booking your travel tickets in advance to get a better deal.
Research the bride and groom's hotel deal
Booking accommodation can easily rack up the cost of attending a wedding. Londoners spend on average £187 on hotels for weddings and those from Yorkshire and the West Midlands are not far behind, spending over £120 on hotel rooms. It can be worthwhile checking-in with the couple who are getting married to see if they have negotiated preferred rates on their hotel room. Not only can you save pounds staying in the same place, it may mean you can also save on taxi costs at the end of the night.
Get cashback on your spending
More than half (52%) of wedding guests use offers and deals when attending weddings. For example, using a cashback credit card means that when you do spend, you get a percentage of your money back, making that initial purchase a little less painful.
Split the gift
Gift buying can be difficult and expensive process with people spending on average £112 and nearly a third (31%) of people opting for cash. However as this often causes a headache for guests who are worried about how much to spend, you could consider splitting the price of a gift with a fellow guest meaning that you can still get something memorable and impressive, without breaking the bank. You would also be wise to look out for offers. American Express Cardmembers can take advantage of statement credits on spending at popular high-street and online retailers. Check out what's on offer to make your money go further: https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/content/amexoffers/amex-offer.html
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