Weddings are back. Here are 10 ways to save on travel.

Rachel Cruze, financial expert and best-selling author, says attendees should list all the details they need to buy for the wedding, figure out what they can spend, and then follow their plan.

“When you’re not purposeful with every dollar you spend, you’re going to spend so much,” she said. “You’re going to hang out after the wedding, you’re going to stay in a hotel that you can’t afford because that’s where everyone else is staying.”

She said the budget should determine the details, not the whims of the weekend.

Buying the cheapest plane ticket or traveling with the cheapest carrier often means additional costs for carry-on or checked baggage. But a “personal item” that can fit under the front seat is always free — and strategic packaging can save money, said Jessica Bishop, founder of the budget savvy bride.

“I definitely went to Amazon.com and thought, ‘I want a Spirit Airlines personal item sized bag,'” she said. She acknowledged it can be difficult to store everything, but added that travelers can purchase travel toiletries upon arrival if needed.

“If you’re really trying to save money and avoid going into debt to attend these weddings, you can make it work,” she said.

Bishop, who wrote a book about planning weddings on a budget, uses travel rewards credit cards, signs up for new cards to earn bonuses, and puts as much spend on the cards as possible to earn rewards. points that can be redeemed for travel.

“Obviously you have to be disciplined and responsible and only put what you can reasonably pay off on a card so you don’t accrue interest,” she said.

Couples often reserve blocks of rooms at one or more hotels for guests with some sort of discount. But that doesn’t mean travelers have to necessarily stay there.

Turner said sharing an Airbnb with other guests might end up being a cheaper option.

Anna Coats, editor of the online wedding publication Marry me Tampa Bay, said the venue a couple chooses often may be upscale and less budget-friendly, even with a discount. This is especially true as more people return to travel after staying home during the pandemic. She suggests looking for nearby hotels that are cheaper – but she also warns to factor in transport costs and make reservations as soon as possible.

“As these hotels tend to fill up, their rates will also increase,” she said.

Coats said guests will likely default to using Uber or Lyft to get around, but if the wedding is in a touristy area or town, public transit could be another good option. For example, she said, many beach towns in Florida have inexpensive or free trolley systems.

“If it’s a touristy area, it might have some fun local transportation that you can take without having to rack up those carpool fees,” she said.

Another option: share the car with other travelers and split the costs. Moreno, the University of North Texas student who is due to attend four weddings this year, plans to bring family members to her cousin’s wedding in Kansas in September.

All eyes will be on the couple, so what a guest is wearing isn’t that important, even if they’re rehearsing an outfit for multiple events.

“The resale economy and the number of apps that make it easy to buy used and pre-worn items is amazing,” Bishop said, citing Poshmark and Mercari as two options. Rent the track provides short-term access to outfits. Sometimes these sites offer a discount for new users, she added.

Coats said she enjoys taking advantage of the online designer section of discount retailers such as TJ Maxx.

If you can’t swing a $300 knife set or $200 linen sheets, look for gifts that help contribute to something bigger. Bishop says many couples will make group donations possible, allowing multiple people to participate in big-ticket items. Honeymoon registries where clients can fund part of an airfare or travel experience are also popular.

Bishop says it’s also possible to purchase a registry item from another store if you have a coupon or discount code for the retailer. And if gift cards would be appropriate, they can be purchased at a discount on sites such as Raise.com.

“A lot of people feel the pressure to get extravagant,” said Cruze, the financial expert. She recommends participating in a giveaway with friends or finding something inexpensive and personalized on Etsy.

It’s not technically a money saver for the event itself. But as part of year-round vacation plans, it might make sense to turn a two-night trip into a longer stay.

“If you’re already going to spend money on airfare and accommodation, you might as well stay a few days and check out the area,” Turner said.

Coats said some plane tickets might cost more on the day someone plans to fly, so choosing a cheaper ticket to travel on different dates could save money — which could then affect the cost of vacations before or after the wedding.

Nicole “Coco” Gessler, a travel consultant specializing in destination weddings and founder of Wanderlust Travel Co., said couples usually arrange details in advance, including hotels, airport transportation and activities. .

She said in an email that in these cases, guests must book into the rooms secured by the couple to ensure they are included in the negotiated rate, have their rooms guaranteed, and be able to access any on-site events. .

Gessler advised booking plane tickets early to get the best fares and using apps like Hopper to find the best deals.

Given the current situation – two years into a pandemic, record gas prices and inflation at a 40-year high – “everyone’s budget is tight,” Cruze said. . Especially if the people getting married aren’t close friends or family, she says, there’s no harm in turning down an invitation.

“Don’t pressure yourself to attend every thing right now,” she said, adding that people can still send a nice gift and a thoughtful note. “Give yourself permission to say no if it’s best for you and your budget.”