With consumers increasingly mindful of their spending habits, Black Friday sales offer a unique opportunity to snag discounts on essential wedding-related purchases, from bridal shoes and bridesmaids dresses to getting-ready robes and gifts for the wedding party. To make the most of these deals, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between patience and research. After all, careful planning can lead to significant savings, making it well worth your while.
In this regard, we’re sharing our top 14 tips for navigating Black Friday sales like a pro when shopping for your big day.
Black Friday Sales Tips
Be Prepared
As the Black Friday rush approaches, many online stores will be offering exclusive promo codes and early access previews. To stay ahead of the game, sign up for newsletters from your desired retailers and keep an eye on their social media channels for potential deals. Big sites like Amazon, Etsy, ASOS, Net-a-Porter, and Not On The High Street are worth keeping tabs on, as they often offer a wide range of products in one place.
If you’re shopping for clothes or accessories for your partner or bridal party, have their sizes readily available to streamline the purchasing process once you find a bargain.
Have a Shopping List (And Be Specific!)
Before you start browsing for shoes, flower girl dresses, bridesmaid gifts, cake toppers, decorative lanterns, and wedding stationery, take a moment to clarify your expectations. Are there specific designer heels that caught your eye, but are currently out of budget? Do you envision simple wedding invitations with a calligraphy-style font or perhaps something more elaborate? Similarly, what’s your style for lanterns – chrome, antique, or something unique?
Having a clear idea of what you’re looking for can help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases that might need to be returned later. Additionally, having an understanding of the general price range for these items will enable you to make informed decisions about whether you’re truly getting a good deal during the sale.
Take Your Time
Black Friday sales have evolved beyond a single day or even online-only event. The phenomenon has taken hold on this side of the Atlantic, transforming it into a week-long shopping extravaganza. Gone are the days of midnight online deals; today, you can shop at your leisure over the weekend without sacrificing sleep. This freedom from time constraints allows for a more relaxed approach to purchasing. Take a cue from this and don’t rush into a major purchase simply because of a discount.
If you’re unsure about a particular item, take a break and give it some thought – there’s no value in compromising on something that doesn’t meet your needs just to snag a bargain. As the old adage goes, ‘you get what you pay for,’ so prioritize quality over quantity and make intentional purchasing decisions.
Look to the Big Ticket Items First
When it comes to snagging deals on wedding-related items during Black Friday, prioritize the big-ticket purchases first. This includes items like bridesmaid dresses, suits, stationery, and honeymoon accommodations. These are the areas where you can potentially save a significant amount of money. For instance, saving 20% on a €500 trio of bridesmaid dresses is far more substantial than saving 20% on a €15 set of festoon lights.
Additionally, be sure to prioritize items that are likely to sell out quickly, such as designer shoes or handbags in popular sizes and colors. Popular bridesmaid dress sizes also tend to fly off the shelves. By focusing on these key areas, you can make a bigger impact on your overall wedding budget.
Think Ahead
As your wedding planning reaches its final stretch, it’s easy to get caught up in the big-ticket items like attire for the wedding party. However, don’t overlook the smaller details that add up quickly – from getting-ready robes and bridesmaid gifts to unique touches like cake toppers. To avoid making impulse purchases or overspending, take a step back and identify the essentials you’re already planning to invest in.
If you happen to stumble upon these smaller items while shopping for your must-haves, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to save time and money.
It’s Not Just Style
While many people associate online shopping with wedding attire and accessories, there’s a wealth of other essentials you can find to make your big day truly special. Black Friday sales often feature incredible deals on items like candles, DIY supplies, lights, stationery, photo printing, lawn games, linens, personalized favors, and decorative finishing touches that can elevate your wedding celebration. You might even stumble upon discounts on wine and other beverages for your guests to enjoy.
With a little creativity, you can use these online finds to create a unique and memorable experience for your loved ones.
Check out Independent Stores
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are often synonymous with massive e-commerce sites like Amazon, there’s no reason why you can’t find deals at local levels too. Many independent boutiques and makers offer discounts on these days, and platforms like Etsy and Not on the High Street showcase unique pieces from small businesses and individual sellers.
By following your favourite independent shops and brands on Instagram, you’ll often receive exclusive discount codes or get a sneak peek at in-store offers.
Search for Discount Codes Before You Hit the “Pay” Button
Before making an online purchase, take a few seconds to do a quick search for potential discounts. Many e-commerce sites will offer specific product deals, while others might provide blanket percentage-off offers or shareable discount codes. Whatever platform you’re shopping on, make sure to check for any additional promo codes that could sweeten the deal. Twitter is often a great resource for finding these hidden gems.
Check the Returns Policy (And Make Sure You Do the Returns!)
When shopping online, it’s crucial to review the returns policy before making a purchase. This will ensure you’re aware of any potential issues that may arise. Additionally, consider the cost of returning an item if you decide not to keep it. When buying custom or personalized items, take extra precautions as these sales are often final, unless the product is faulty or damaged.
If you receive an item and aren’t satisfied with it, be sure to return it in a timely manner, rather than leaving it sitting unused in your home.
Remember to Factor in Shipping Costs, Tax and Customs Duties
When calculating the overall cost of your online purchase, don’t forget to factor in the expense of shipping and any applicable taxes, duties, or fees. This is particularly crucial when shopping internationally, as VAT rates and customs charges can vary greatly depending on the origin and destination of your goods. While some e-commerce platforms will automatically calculate these costs for you, it’s essential to be aware of your obligations in this regard.
For instance, if you’re an EU resident purchasing from outside the EU or vice versa, you’ll need to account for potential customs duties and VAT. In Ireland, you can find helpful information on taxes and fees here, whereas UK residents can consult here for essential guidance.
Research the Price History
Before diving into Black Friday deals, it’s essential to research prices in advance. Many products that appear discounted have already been available at similar or lower prices over the past six months. To uncover this information, utilize online tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon and PriceRunner for other retailers. By comparing prices, you can determine if the sale price is genuinely a bargain.
Don’t Forget the Wedding Suppliers
Take advantage of the deals offered by wedding suppliers during Black Friday, but use discretion when booking services like photography, stationery, or floristry. While it’s tempting to book these essential vendors solely based on discounts, make sure you’re not compromising on quality or compatibility with your overall vision for the big day.
However, if there’s a specific supplier that has piqued your interest or was previously out of budget, consider taking advantage of their temporary price reduction. This way, you can still get the services and expertise you want without breaking the bank.
Set up Online Accounts in Advance
When you add items to your online cart, it’s not always a guarantee that they’ll be reserved for you. In fact, with Black Friday traffic causing sites to crash or slow down, speed is crucial. To streamline your shopping experience, consider setting up online accounts with the stores you’re interested in and adding your payment details to your account if the site is trustworthy and you feel comfortable doing so.
This can significantly reduce checkout time, allowing you to quickly complete your purchases before others beat you to it.
Needs vs Wants
When planning your wedding, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and justify overspending, even if something is discounted. After all, a wedding budget can feel like Monopoly money – endless possibilities and no clear limits. To avoid going overboard, consider categorizing your shopping list into must-haves and nice-to-haves. Prioritize allocating funds for the essential items, then use any remaining budget to indulge in a few splurges from your want list.
