Can you hear the wedding bells? Love it or hate it, wedding season has arrived. As your loved ones chase down their happily ever after, you’re just trying to keep track of all those costs.
Yep, that’s right. We all talk about the price of getting married. But what about the price of simply knowing people getting married? As you battle to get milk out the fridge under a flurry of invites, every ‘cordially invited’ date and time and location taunts you with taxi costs and requests for donations for far flung honeymoons. The stack of bills is suddenly higher than the stack of invites.
But before you volunteer to be the ‘something blue’ by getting upset over prices, remember there are ways to keep costs down on your outfit. From shoes and hats that make you uncomfortable to dresses and jewellery you can’t wait to wear again, you can find costs that you can love, honour, and cherish. (As for the hen do drinks packages, travels costs, and gifts - all we can say is good luck…)
Read on for the top tips on keeping costs low on wedding guest outfits and for the looks of the season…
Top tips to save money as a wedding guest:
- Rent or borrow your outfit. It’s the rewear revolution. Thanks to sites like ByRotation, Hirestreet and HURR, you can wear the outfits of your dreams without the pricetags of nightmares. Those designers you thought you could only admire from afar? They’re within reach after all - or at least for a short stint. Because once you’ve got your Insta shot, you’ve basically immortalised the outfit anyway. Or if you want to keep costs lower than the limbo stick that inevitably gets brought out at 11pm, just borrow from a stylish friend or sibling.
- Shop smart with discounts. Not to brag, but we’re here to help. With an iconic list of brands and fashion retailers partnering with us to provide discounts and deals, you can organise your outfit for wedding season like a VIP.
- Group together on gifts. This isn’t being stingy, this is being economical. If you collaborate with friends or family on presents, you can get a bigger ticket item that the couple really want, rather than opting for the smaller gifts with the bigger markup. It also saves on multiple delivery costs.
- DIY glam. Lots of people do the full nine yards on hair and beauty for weddings. Hairdressers curating elaborate up-dos, beauticians providing spray tans, nail techs finessing a perfect French tip and a makeup artist to make your brows sisters not distant cousins. But we’ve got a little secret. Lean in close and we’ll tell… You can do it yourself. If you want to save money, swap the spray tan for a mitt and instant and dust off the Barry M and essie to take your nails into your own hands.
- Buy versatile clothes. Your clothes need to earn their spot in your wardrobe. If they want to be worth whatever price tag they brandish, they need to become part of your regular rotation. No matter how tempting the ball gown is, if you’re just not going to wear it again in the next few months - or even years - then it’s not working hard enough for its worth. Instead, jumpsuits you can also dress down for work or parties, two pieces that work as standalone options, and dresses that will transform based on the accessories paired with them all give you the most mileage per wear.
Dresses:
£ - Budget friendly options
PLT sage satin maxi:
The viral dress - finally within reach. It's been tantalising us for months on Pinterest and Instagram - ever present but always out of stock. All praise to PLT, who have made owning the dress of the summer possible. Dreams really do come true! And at £38, it's not a high price to pay to own this floral moment.
££ - Mid-range options
ASOS scoop neck dress:
Not only the bride is blushing! This blush pink dress with a scoop neck embodies simple summer sophistication and is endlessly wearable. Yes, you can wear it for the I dos, but also the beach views and barbecues. In crisp cotton, it is the vision of freshness. Pair with white sandals and clutch or wedges and a beach bag depending on the invite. You'll never want to take it off! And at £45, it's just within budget!
AX Paris ombré dream:
The sun hasn’t yet set on wedding season, but your dress is reminiscent of weddings in Europe and holiday romances. With blue bleeding into yellow, this high contrast ombre dress is as asymmetrical as it is eye-catching. At £53 and with backless detail, you really won’t look back when you get this dress. Plus, if you sign up to their newsletter, you can secure £5 off at Debenhams!
£££ - Investment pieces
ASOS floral maxi:
Florals for summer? Revolutionary! Sometimes you just have to go for the tried and true option, and floral dresses are a trusted choice for weddings. Forget the bouquet, you’re the catch! Drenched in colour, this plunge maxi dress from ASOS is £65 - so you can blossom onto the dance floor when the DJ starts without a care in the world.
Psst! 20% off first app orders might just sort you out here!
Debenhams pink satin sensation:
Burst the bubble with this pop of colour. A fuchsia sensation, this silky dress with puff sleeves offers Bardot interest and a statement structure. Pair with chunky heels to complete the look. And at £55, you can look pretty in pink without spending a mint.
Co-ords:
£ - Budget friendly options
EGO teal set:
Run don’t walk to get this corset co-ord in teal. With 23% off your first order with newsletter sign ups or 20% off everything with Take20, EGO is offering great deals on already great prices. This full set is - wait for it - just £26. With some white or gold scrappy heels and a clutch, you’re ready to walk the aisle - or at least the catwalk.
PLT yellow skirt set:
Butter yellow is the colour of the summer. And this wrap co-ord is as slinky as it is buttery. With ultimate re-wear factor (think rooftop bar or garden party), it’s £24 for the skirt and and £14 for the top.
££ - Mid-range options
Quiz frilly two-piece:
Fresh as a daisy, this dusky blue co-ord with embroidered cut out flowers could be the outfit to stop your scroll. The search is off: you've finally found the outfit you've been looking for. The top is not just cute, it's rewearable for any occasion - which is the beauty of co-ords. You've got two, three, four looks for the price of one. At £26.99 for the top and £36.99 for the bottoms, you'll be set for the summer. Throw on some chunky espadrille wedges and a wicker bag, or go for white slip on heels to elevate for wedding season.
£££ - Investment pieces
ASOS olive blazer suit:
Match your martini in this olive co-ord. With a button up top and wide leg slacks, you can piece together the puzzle. And with an optional extra blazer, you can take the summer set into winter, the boardroom, or the party. At £60 for the trousers, and £50 for the top or £85 for the blazer, you can mix and match for your budget. Go for the trousers and pair with a silk blouse, grab the blazer to wear over a mini dress, or combine the set. It’s not just the groomsmen who can rock a three piece suit!
River Island denim set:
Yes, you can wear jeans to a wedding. Okay, at least you can wear a jean set. This denim two piece from River Island is your answer to combining comfort with impact. The pleated top is £36 and the matching pencil trousers are £36. And don't forget to secure 20% off first orders over £65 with VoucherCodes.
Jumpsuits:
£ - Budget friendly options
boohoo hot pink jumpsuit:
Striking hot pink meets soft and easy fabric in this flattering jumpsuit. You’re dance floor ready, with wide legs for movement and keyhole detailing for breathability and design. With pleated fabric, this one piece is just £35. No breaking the bank here.
Next corset jumpsuit:
Summer doesn't always mean pastel colours. And sometimes a LBD is even better as an LBJ! This corset detail wide leg cotton jumpsuit is £38 a wardrobe staple that can take you from wedding reception to weekday rooftop.
££ - Mid-range options
PLT paprika jumpsuit:
Reinvent the reputation of red at weddings with this PLT paprika jumpsuit that deceives those lucky enough to see it into thinking it’s a co-cord. Nope, this simple one piece takes no thought or faff. Just slick back your hair and throw on some sling backs and your look is complete. Down from £60 at £35.75, this lace up one piece could be worn for holiday dinners or happily ever after celebrations. And don’t forget to pop on the 38% off discount code while it lasts!
£££ - Investment pieces
ASOS lime jumpsuit:
Steal the limelight in this lime jumpsuit. With a draped waist and wide legs, it strikes a unique silhouette. At £65, this memorable outfit would be ideal with gold heels.
John Lewis navy jumpsuit
Effortless elegance. Comfortable fabric. Chic silhouette. This jumpsuit is absolute gold (no, literally), with navy and reflective gold detailing. At £79, it's not an impulse purchase, but it is one that will save you time and time again when wedding season inevitably comes round next year too.
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