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Being a bridesmaid is costing me thousands! What can I do to cut down on costs?

Two of my best friends are getting married this year and I am maid-of-honour for one and bridesmaid to the other.

I cant help worrying about the costs, it's not just the dresses but the hen-dos, hair-dos, spray tan, manicure and pedicure all for their perfect day. That’s before I have bought each a lovely present! It could add up to the price of a really swanky holiday. Do your money experts have any tips for me to keep my costs down? LC via email

Spiralling costs: While a great honour, being part of a wedding party can get expensive

Linda McKay of This is Money replies: The average cost of a wedding in Britain is an estimated £20,000 but of course attending can be pricey too especially if you have a major role to play.

Hen parties seem to have become more elaborate and Facebook implies wearing the same outfit could be a style faux pas.

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However celebrated actress Keira Knightley recently tied the knot with Klaxons singer James Righton very simply at the town hall in a village in France. Keira wore an above-the-knee strapless tulle dress, cropped jacket with ballet pumps and she arrived hand-in-hand with her groom after being driven to the venue in the back of a grey Renault Clio!

Perhaps we could all take a leaf out of her book. I asked our experts how to cut the cost and enjoy a wedding with wow factor –even as a guest.

Wedding fever: How to control the spiraling costs of hen dos, hair dos and spray tans

Sophie Trinick, founder of bride2bride.co.uk, says: The average cost of attending a wedding has been estimated at £1,390 including clothes, haircuts, beauty treatments, presents and parties.

But it doesn’t have to cost that much if you are canny and look out for pre-loved items online – after all, many have only been used for a few hours on one day! Some brides have become more budget conscious these days and even after their big day are now selling on wedding accessories so you could get yourself a bargain.

Sue Lovell, of Savvy Cinderella, a hire service for special occasions, replies: You get to a certain age where it seems all of a sudden everyone is getting married – or even remarried as friends find love second time around. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune for a fabulous dress even as a guest.

Make it an investment piece if buying. You can usually wear a shorter dress again for another function at a later date, such as a day at the races or ball.

Alternatively a hire service will have an extensive choice and dresses can be altered for length and correct fit. When choosing your dress, consider if you could wear it again, if the answer is definitely not, hiring can work out a more cost effective option.

If as a bridesmaid you have to buy your own shoes or accessories scour the internet for deals and always buy neutral colours.

Take the expense out of beauty treatments too with DIY. The manicure, pedicure and tanning treatments can all be done cheaply at home with simple products. Why not get all the bridesmaids together and have a beauty hen party. Just add a little fizz and the fun is sure to follow.

Linda Mckay adds: It seems the key to making savings as a guest is forward planning. Try to get early deals too on transport and hotels, share lifts with family and friends who are also attending and don’t feel like you cant wear that same outfit more than once – even the young royals do.


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