Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Joy Editors
The cost of how to pay for a wedding in the U.S. might shock you – most couples spend between $33,000 and $35,000. This price tag can feel overwhelming for many of us.
Wedding costs dropped to $19,000 in 2020 when the pandemic forced smaller celebrations. Even before COVID-19, couples spent around $28,000 on their big day. Your location makes a huge difference too. New York City’s average wedding costs hit $47,000, while couples in the Mid-Atlantic region spend about $25,000.
The good news? You can fund your dream day without emptying your bank account. Setting monthly savings goals really helps. A two-year engagement gives you time to save $1,000 each month, adding up to a $24,000 wedding budget. Simple changes like fewer subscriptions and less dining out could add $300-$600 to your wedding savings monthly.
We’ve taken this same trip and know the stress of wedding finances firsthand. This piece will show you how to cover your wedding costs while protecting your financial future and creating the celebration you want.
Explore Your Wedding Payment Options
The right mix of wedding payment options can make all the difference between starting married life financially secure or drowning in debt. Wedding costs now average $35,000 in 2023, which is $5,000 more than last year. Smart choices about funding your celebration will shape your financial future.
Use your cash savings wisely
Cash remains the best way to pay for your wedding. This approach helps you avoid interest payments and start your marriage debt-free. Your wedding budget of $20,000 with a two-year timeline means setting aside $834 each month. Money from each paycheck creates a realistic budget framework that stops you from overspending.
Think about credit cards with rewards (but pay them off)
Credit cards become strategic tools for wedding expenses when used correctly. Reward cards come with attractive sign-up bonuses after spending specific amounts in the first few months. To cite an instance, travel cards might give you 60,000 bonus points (worth about $600 in travel) after spending $4,000 in three months. Venue deposits or catering payments help reach this amount easily.
The benefits look great, but be careful. Cards with 0% APR promotions offer interest-free periods of 12-21 months. The catch? Unpaid balances after this period face interest rates above 20%. You need a solid repayment plan before charging any wedding expenses.
Set up a dedicated wedding fund
A separate wedding savings account keeps your funds organized and progress tracking becomes easier. Financial experts suggest you should:
- Open a high-yield savings account just for wedding expenses
- Set up automatic transfers from your paycheck
- Treat wedding savings like any other monthly bill
Serena Fournier of The Wedding Duo says, “Saving for a wedding starts with setting a realistic monthly savings goal based on your overall budget and timeline”. Your money stays “safely tucked away and is less tempting to spend” with automatic transfers.
Ask for family contributions
Modern couples handle wedding financing differently than traditional approaches where bride’s parents covered all costs. The Knot’s recent survey shows couples now pay about 49% of wedding costs, and their families cover the other 51%.
Family discussions about potential contributions need dedicated face-to-face time. Financial planner Jove Meyer says, “Budget should be the first discussion couples have together and with their families—otherwise, you are planning in a bubble that may not be your reality”. These talks might feel awkward but they help set clear expectations early.
Understand the risks of loans and 401k withdrawals
Wedding loans (personal loans with a different name) charge interest rates above 12%, though they seem appealing when savings fall short. A $10,000 loan over two years means paying an extra $1,298 just in interest.
Borrowing from retirement accounts creates more problems. Missing scheduled repayments on a 401(k) loan triggers early withdrawal penalties and taxes. Each dollar taken from retirement savings loses its chance to grow long-term. Financial experts strongly advise against this option unless you have no other choice.
Smart Ways to Save for Your Wedding
A good wedding savings plan keeps you on track without straining your budget. You can take control of your wedding finances and avoid rushing for funds at the last minute with a practical savings strategy.
Break your goal into monthly savings
The quickest way to make your wedding budget achievable is to know exactly how much you need to save each month. Start with your total wedding budget and divide it by the months until your wedding day. To name just one example, see how a $10,000 wedding breaks down:
- With 18 months to save: You’ll need $556 monthly
- With 12 months to save: Your monthly target becomes $833
- With 6 months or less: You’ll need $1,667+ monthly
You might want to think about a longer engagement if these monthly targets seem too high. “Look at your monthly finances and figure out how much you can realistically save each month,” says Serena Fournier of The Wedding Duo. “Then multiply that amount by the number of months until your wedding. This gives you a general starting budget”.
Open a separate wedding savings account
A dedicated account for wedding expenses has many benefits. You can track your progress better and avoid dipping into your wedding fund.
Here are some great account options:
- High-yield savings accounts give competitive interest rates to help your money grow faster while keeping it available
- Certificates of deposit (CDs) earn higher interest rates if you know your wedding date and can lock away the funds
- Money market accounts give better interest than standard savings accounts and allow up to six withdrawals monthly
“The beauty of high-yield savings accounts is that they can maximize your money’s growth potential, thanks to compound interest and the low risk nature of the account,” note financial experts. Yes, it is worth noting that current CD rates around 5.41% mean a $10,000 deposit in a 12-month CD could earn $541 in interest.
Automate your savings deposits
The human element often gets in the way of consistent saving. Setting up automatic transfers from your checking to your wedding savings account helps solve this problem.
Your wedding fund should be treated like any other monthly bill rather than saving leftover money. Each paycheck can automatically transfer a portion to your wedding account. Just divide your monthly goal in half for biweekly pay periods or by four for weekly paychecks.
“We recommend setting up an automatic transfer each month into that separate wedding savings account so the money is safely tucked away and is less tempting to spend,” suggests Fournier. Many banks offer automated savings features that make this process smooth.
This “set it and forget it” approach builds your wedding fund steadily. The method works even better with a high-yield account and removes the need for constant financial monitoring.
Cut Costs Without Cutting Joy
You can reduce wedding expenses without compromising your special day. Smart ways to cut costs while keeping quality will help you manage wedding payments better.
Trim your guest list
The best way to cut wedding costs is to invite fewer people. Wedding expert Shane McMurray puts it simply: “The No. 1 way to save money on your wedding is to cut the guest count”. Each guest adds to your catering, invitation, and favor costs. You can save thousands by cutting just one table of 8-10 people.
Here’s how to make this easier:
- Create a guest hierarchy: A-list (must-haves), B-list (would love to have), and C-list (nice to have)
- Give plus-ones only to married, engaged, or long-term couples
- An adults-only celebration can help reduce numbers
Choose off-peak dates or weekdays
Your wedding’s timing affects the costs substantially. More couples now choose weekday weddings (except Friday) because they cost less. Winter weddings from November through March are off-season, with only 23% of weddings happening then.
An off-peak date could save you 20-30% on venue costs. You might pay a third less for a Thursday evening event in expensive areas. Keep in mind that major holidays like Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve can be pricier even in off-season.
DIY decor and invitations
Making your own wedding elements saves money and adds personal touches. You don’t need to be crafty – many DIY projects are simple to do.
Canva offers thousands of free invitation templates, making it budget-friendly. Etsy has printable templates for physical invitations you can make at home.
Tissue paper flower balls, personalized signs on vintage mirrors, and wine bottle centerpieces can beautify your space without breaking the bank. Pick DIY projects that match your vision to make the biggest impact.
Opt for nontraditional venues
Traditional wedding venues often cost too much. These alternatives can save you money:
- National parks cost $100-$400 for permits
- City halls range from $100 in small towns to $1,000-$4,000 in big cities
- Public beaches work well with vacation rental access
- Museums and libraries charge $500-$1,000 in many places
- Restaurants include food, drinks, and staff
The right mix of these money-saving ideas can help you create your dream wedding without financial worry.
Boost Your Budget with Extra Income
Making extra money can transform your wedding budget planning. You can do more than just cut costs and save carefully. New ways to earn money help you pay for your dream wedding without settling for less.
Start a side hustle or freelance gig
Your skills could help fund your big day. Financial experts say freelancing pays better than regular part-time jobs and lets you work on your own terms. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour connect talented people with clients who need graphic design, writing, photography, or social media management.
DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart offer more structured ways to earn. DoorDash drivers make the most money during weekend dinner rushes from 4pm to 9pm. This works great with most day job schedules.
Wedding industry gigs pay really well too. Wedding DJs can make $1,000 or more per event. Wedding makeup artists and hair stylists charge premium rates. Even wedding calligraphers earn good money at $3-4 per envelope.
Sell unused items online
Clean out your space and fill up your wedding fund at the same time. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari make selling easy. You can even sell your wedding décor after the big day to get some money back.
Good photos make items sell faster online. Professional shots of wedding items work better than quick snapshots. Pack fragile items with care to avoid refund requests for damage.
Use cashback apps and rewards programs
Your daily shopping can help pay for your wedding fund if you use the right apps. Swagbucks lets you earn through surveys, shopping cashback, and special offers. Ibotta gives you money back on groceries just for uploading your receipts.
Rakuten offers bigger cashback for online shopping while Dosh links to your credit card for automatic rebates. Survey sites like Prolific work too – one user made over $700 in a year just taking surveys.
These income sources might not cover your entire wedding cost, but together they can add a nice boost to your wedding budget.
Plan Ahead to Stay Stress-Free
Smart planning is the foundation to finance your wedding without stress. Your funding sources and savings strategy need these steps to keep your finances clear throughout the planning process.
Create a detailed wedding budget
A detailed budget template shows you exactly where your money goes. First, break down your total budget by category percentages—a good rule of thumb puts about 40% to venue and catering, 12% to photography/videography, and 10% each to music/entertainment and flowers/décor. This helps you see everything clearly:
- Set up a spreadsheet with columns for estimated costs, actual expenses, and remaining balances that calculate automatically
- Create a pie chart of your budget categories to track spending distribution
- Add a notes column to store vendor’s contact information, website links, and important details
Many couples miss hidden costs like vendor tips, taxes, beauty treatments, and transportation. You should set aside about 10% of your total budget as backup money.
Talk openly with your partner and family
Financial communication is the life-blood of successful wedding planning and marriage preparation. Setting specific times to talk about money helps set clear expectations from the start.
“Consciously making the time and effort to communicate about finances with each other will be one of the most influential actions affecting your overall experience,” notes financial experts. Meeting with your partner every three months lets you review the numbers and discuss how you feel about your current approach.
Have quick access to cash for deposits
You need substantial deposits to secure vendors, so available funds are vital. Having wedding savings ready prevents last-minute scrambles when you find the perfect venue or photographer.
Electronic payment methods work better than cash or checks:
- Credit card holds verify fund availability without immediate charges
- ACH transactions provide reduced fraud risk through secure encryption
- Electronic systems offer faster dispute resolution if disagreements arise
Ask vendors if their payment schedules can line up with your cash flow—maybe request a middle payment during slower financial months instead of just original and final payments.
Conclusion
Celebrating Without the Financial Hangover
Your dream wedding doesn’t have to put you in financial distress. This piece shows you several ways to fund your celebration and protect your financial future.
Weddings are big investments. The average costs range from $33,000 to $35,000 nationwide. All the same, good financial planning makes these numbers more manageable. Monthly savings targets can turn seemingly impossible amounts into achievable goals. A high-yield savings account with automated deposits will give a strong base for your wedding fund.
The flexibility comes from having multiple payment options. Cash savings give you the ideal debt-free approach. Strategic credit card use can bring valuable rewards when you manage it well. Family contributions often play a vital role in wedding financing, though these conversations need a gentle touch.
You can cut costs while building your savings. A smaller guest list, off-peak dates, DIY projects, and non-traditional venues can save you thousands. These changes rarely affect the quality of celebration but reduce financial pressure by a lot.
Side hustles and freelance work give couples great options to earn extra income. You can add to your wedding fund by selling unused items and getting cashback rewards. Small efforts add up to make substantial contributions toward your goal.
Open talks with your partner about money build healthy foundations for wedding planning and marriage. Financial transparency creates trust. Both partners stay comfortable with spending decisions throughout the process.
Note that your wedding marks the start of your life together. You don’t want financial stress to overshadow this special milestone. Good planning, realistic budgeting, and smart decisions help create beautiful memories without risking your financial future. Your marriage should start on solid financial ground – these strategies make that possible while you celebrate the day you’ve always dreamed of.
