Attend weddings this season on a budget

It’s that time of the year when everything is cheerful and bling-ey. After
all, the wedding season is here. If you are busy attending function after
function, you surely know that it takes a toll, not just on your sleep, but
also on your pocket.

Being well prepared with the finances ensures you can attend weddings
this season without being worried or cutting corners. Here are a few
super simple tricks to being a financial pro through the wedding season:

1) Get into the details
Don't get caught unaware. Spend time with the to-be-married couple and
get details of the what and where of all the functions. Given their
excitement, this shouldn't be an issue. This will prepare you much
in advance about your role, any special surprises and any pre-
wedding parties which you might be contributing towards. There
could be elaborate plans for a destination wedding, which would
mean baking in travel costs as well. Knowing all the details well in
advance will ensure you are totally prepared.

2) Prioritise, prioritise, prioritise
When flooded with several invitations, however hard it might be,
prioritise. Choose the ones which are a must-attend, and drop the
ones which are a stretch. When deciding which functions to attend,
pick the ones most important for you, and let go of the others. This
is important from your time, convenience and financial health
perspective. Often, we over-commit and regret later. Stick to your
top-most family/friends and send your best wishes to the others.

3) Gifting Budgets
Typically gifts in family weddings include jewellery, or designer products,
which come with a steep price tag. Be innovative and create
handmade gifts or personalized gifts like framed pictures of the
couple, which are unique and fit your budget.

For younger family members, especially girls, instead of jewellery, it
might be a good idea to get them invested in a Mutual Funds
portfolio (if they don't have one yet) which will actually be of value
to them in the long run.
Group gifting is also a great option, along with other friends and well-
wishers.

4) Wedding Outfits
Getting dressed for the big fat Indian wedding is part of the fun. Keeping
up with the trends, and various dress codes for each function could
draw a huge hole in your purse. After all, most times we buy
gorgeous, heavily ornamented outfits, which end up just sitting
pretty in our closets, rarely used.
Find a way to recycle and re-stylize your existing collection. Mix-n-match
blouses with sarees, or accessorize a neutral coloured lehenga
with different dupatta or jacket. Take ideas from your very own
family and friend style brigade. There are also options available
now of comfortably renting outfits online, at a fraction of the price
to own the same.

5) Travel Plans
While destination weddings are glamorous and fun, they also call for
advance planning. To ease the pinch, pull out your credit card
rewards points and frequent flyer points. Another tip is to get to
know others who are also attending and do hotel bookings as a
group and get the best deals.
In case of pre-wedding bachelor/ bachelorette party, bargain deals are
available for off-season travel or cashing in on frequent travel
sales. Don’t forget to budget for indulgences, which are part of the
wedding spirit.

It’s no secret that the bride, groom and their families, shell out a bomb to make
the occasion memorable. As a wedding guest, be smart about your
expenses, plan diligently and enjoy the occasion to the fullest.