Traveling for a Wedding This Summer? 3 Ways to Save

If you have one or more friends getting married this summer, you may be excited for their big day. But you may also be wondering how much of a blow your savings account is about to take.

Travel can be expensive at any time of the year. But during the summer, the cost can be even higher. And when you're traveling for a wedding, you don't get a choice when it comes to things like the timing or destination. So you could end up staring at a pretty hefty credit card tab after all is said and done.

The good news, though, is that there are steps you can take to lower your wedding-related travel costs. Here are some tactics worth employing, especially if money is tight.

1. Road trip it rather than fly

If you're attending a wedding, chances are, you have some friends in common with the bride and groom. If you're willing to hop in a car with those people and split the drive, you might save yourself money compared to the cost of a flight.

As an example, let's say your wedding destination is six hours away by car, so it's a reasonable drive for a weekend, especially if you can split it with another driver or more. If a flight to your destination has you shelling out $300 but the cost of driving is $150 all in, you'll save money even if you drive by yourself. But if you find two other people to road trip it with, you'll spend just $50 each.

2. Use the right credit card to book your flight

Air travel can be costly, especially if you want the option to be able to pick your own seat. But if you use a travel rewards credit card to book your flight, you might reap some savings along the way.

It's common for these cards to offer free checked bags on flights, for example. If you're attending a wedding and different festivities related to it, sticking to a carry-on may not be feasible. So if you don't have to pay to check a bag, that alone might save you a nice amount of money.

3. Bunk with a bunch of friends at a private rental

It's common for couples getting married to encourage guests to stay at the same hotel so everyone is centrally located. But staying at a hotel could be costly, especially if the wedding is being held at a popular destination. If you know other people attending the wedding, it could make more financial sense to split the cost of a private rental for lodging.

As an example, a 3-bedroom home that sleeps six in Hyannis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod costs $978 to book for the weekend of July 21 through July 23 through VRBO. A standard room at the Hyannis Inn that sleeps two that same weekend costs $753. (These prices include taxes and fees.)

So if you have a group of six traveling to the same wedding, you might spend $163 per person to split the cost of the $978 rental, versus $376.50 per person to stay at the hotel. And the VRBO property might also make it easier to cook some meals while you're away, thereby helping you save on food costs.

There's no question that attending a wedding can cost a lot when there's a travel component. But if you take these steps, you might manage to lower your costs and minimize the financial burden. And that should put you in a better frame of mind to celebrate with the people you care about.