Wedding season has arrived, and if you are “about that age” like myself you are probably feeling the financial pinch.  It’s hard to afford being a wedding guest on $430 a week. Even harder to be in the wedding party.  Throw in travel expenses for out of town gatherings and say goodbye to your checking account.  My wallet is still reeling from pricey mistakes I made before discovering the costs cutting tips below:

• Be the first guest to raid the registry. If you are traveling to a wedding you won’t be expected to buy a $200 goblet from Tiffany’s. That $55 hand blender should do. They asked for it.

• It’s hot. Bottled water is expensive. Invest in a reusable water bottle that airport security won’t make you discard.

• Pack light.  Checking bags can start at $15.  Weigh your luggage beforehand and think twice about bringing 8 pairs of shoes.

• Get books from the library beforehand so you aren’t tempted to hit up a Hudson News.

• Scout the location before packing your bags. Check tripadvisor.com and related sites to see what thrifty advice past tourists have to offer.

• Ask the bride/groom if there are any guests looking to share a room/car to split or even quarter costs.

• Avoid eating at your hotel unless you are shoveling the contents of the complimentary breakfast table into your mouth.

• Bring meal replacement bars and dried fruit to keep your blood sugar level stable until you can find the closest Dollar Menu.

• Call the hotel and make sure there is a refrigerator in your room to keep your leftovers in.

• No money for a hotel? Check if you have a distant cousin or friend of a friend willing to take you in for a night or two.

• No money for a gift? See if you can bestow a natural talent like singing during the bands break or prep party favors using your artsy skills instead.

• If you really can’t afford it, don’t be afraid to check Not Attending. Send a gift and save hundreds if it’s not a close friend that will be walking down the aisle. Don’t write a sob story on the card about how you just couldn’t budget the trip. There will be enough tears when they both say “I do.”

By Cara Weissman, Contributing Writer, Reality Show Casting Goddess and Founder of My Unemployment