Helping Family Financially

Chill Bride · January 29, 2010

I knew when deciding to do a DW that I would have to pay for my mom for everything for her to attend so that was budgeted in as just an expense for the wedding. We also decided to pay for 3 nights stay (non-A/I) for immediate family (around 9 people) and flight for FI's sis as well. Since it is 14 months away can you save up a little more in that time to pay for these people to come. To me it was SO important to have a DW, I budgeted paying for family to attend in. Is there something you can cut back on? A few hundred dollars more would buy one of their flights. I guess you have to sit down with your mom and see how realistic it is that they will be able to save and decide from there how important it is for you to do the DW.

My bf and I cancelled our cable right around when we started planning for the wedding. That is $50/month X 14 months =$700 that should pay for most of someone's trip.

sweetiecat · January 30, 2010

Just an update - I'm saving as much as I can for the wedding, and we'll use any extra money as needed for family. If we have some leftover at the end, it's always good to have more in the savings account to start our married life together, you know?

wendyjd · January 30, 2010

In a similar situation, my brother and his fiancee won't be able to afford the trip and would be very hesitant to come if I paid for it (would NEVER ask me to do it). Since my wedding package includes a photographer, i asked my brother's fiancee if she would take other pictures for us and I'd pay for the trip if she did. I am making progress with this plan.

vdaybride · January 31, 2010

I paid for my parents and my sister to attend. I planned waaay in advance and used a site like that allowed me to pay in installments for their trip (they require a deposit, usually for the airfare, then a payment 2-3 months later and final payment being due a few weeks before travel.) I staggered the bookings out so that no large sum would be needed at one time (booked my parents one month and then booked my sister a month later...) I knew going in that they couldn't afford to attend so I put them on the "scholarship" I don't nor will I ever regret helping them. I am blessed to be in a situation to help them in this way.