Your good friend is getting married on the other side of the country. You'd love to be there, but dollar bills aren't exactly sprouting from the tree in your backyard. There are airline tickets to buy, perhaps a car to rent, the cost of lodging, and then of course there's the gift. How are you going to pull this off without spiraling into the well of debt?
The first choice you must make is whether or not to attend the event. If witnessing this union is the most important factor to you, try to attend the wedding if at all possible. If the idea of attending a great party with all your friends is the reason for the trip, be assured that there will be plenty of parties in the future. Staying home and sending a gift and perhaps a heartfelt letter is perfectly polite and will ease your money worries.
If you decide to attend, there are many ways to do so within a limited budget.
Getting There:
Ticket Prices. Advanced planning is the key to finding the most economical way to reach your destination. Airline bookings at the last minute can often be very expensive, but on the other hand, you shouldn't race out and buy the least expensive fare available today. Instead:
- Monitor various airfares in the newspaper, especially the weekend travel section.
- Ask your travel agent to inform you of any really special rates that come about.
- Visit websites such as WeddingChannel.com's travel section. You can select the option of being notified by email when great rates to your desired destination become available.
Frequent Flier Miles. Certain airlines permit transfer of their frequent flier miles within the family, so check with your most generous family members to see if they have extra miles they'd be willing to share with you. This option can also work if you have friends who are willing to part with their accumulated mileage. The friend option is a little more complicated, as the owner of the miles is usually required to appear at the ticket office to acquire the ticket for you. Policies regarding frequent flier mileage are different for almost every airline, so check with the airlines before discussing the issue with your generous friend or family member.
Two-For-One. Many airlines offer two-for-one deals for ticket purchases. If you know of other guests from your area that plan to attend the wedding, contact them to see if they'd be interested in such a deal. It's advisable to find out about the available deals before approaching your potential travel companion. If you're not aware of just whom from your area plans to attend the wedding, the couple will probably be happy to suggest people you could contact. If a large group from your area plans to attend the wedding, inquire about group or charter rates from various airlines. Such deals can often be arranged by the airline for as few as ten people.
When You Arrive:
Cars. Sharing a rental car is an easy way to save a few dollars. Chances are, you'll be able to find several people who'd be willing to go in with you on a rental. Since you'll most likely be using the car for short shuttle rides between wedding events, you can rent the subcompact for a great rate. Rental car discounts are widely available. The Automobile Club, the airlines and even long distance companies offer discount coupons. It is highly likely that someone in your car rental group will have a discount of some sort, so canvas the group before you sign the rental papers.
Rooms. Sharing a room is also a money saving option, though often more difficult to arrange than car rental since most people like their privacy. If you mention to the couple that your financial front is not exactly rosy, they may have suggestions of friends or family members you might stay with, or other guests in similar positions. If the couple or their families offer you a place to sleep in their home, offer to run last minute errands and be an extra pair of helpful hands during the hectic hours before the wedding. If you stay with the family, be sure to write a thank you note promptly upon your return home.
Like car rental companies, hotels offer a wide variety of special discounts including coupons and group rates. If you bite the bullet and admit to the reservations person that you are in a tight financial squeeze, the hotel will sometimes try to work out a special rate for you.
The Gift:
Wedding gifts can be quite costly, and you may feel awkward sending the couple one fork from their silver pattern or a hand towel from their linen collection. This is the ideal time to pool resources. Couples are always pleased to receive group gifts, especially if they are aware of their friends' difficult financial position. By purchasing a group present you'll be part of a collective good wish for the couple. Every time they see it or use it, they'll feel the friendship of the entire group.
Another suggestion is the very personal or handmade gift. Something as simple as a specially framed photograph from your past together, or a reminder of the place or time they first met can move the couple deeply and be something they will value more as time passes.
We all know how difficult life is when the budget is tight. If it comes to pass that you are truly unable to attend the wedding, set aside some time on the special day, go for a walk and think about the couple and what they mean to you. When you get home, write your thoughts down in a letter and send it off right away. Know that the couple will miss you on the day, and that your thoughts will mean a great deal to them.