How Do People Pay for Weddings? Top Ways To Afford Your Big Day

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Your wedding is one of the most memorable days. It’s when you gather with your favorite people and celebrate a new chapter in your life. The price of hosting a big event can be intimidating, though. According to data from The Knot’s Real Wedding Study, the average cost of a wedding is $33,000. The good news is that planning can help you afford your dream wedding.

So if you’re wondering how to pay for a wedding, this guide has the answers. Here’s everything you need to know. 

7 Common Ways People Pay for Weddings

So, how do people pay for weddings? It’s usually a mixture of the following options. Remember, a wedding is expensive, and most people use money from different sources. 

1. Personal Savings

Many couples build savings over time to pay for wedding expenses. Here’s an example of how small, consistent savings can add up over time:

• The average engagement is 15 months.
• Imagine you save $100 per month in a savings account.
• If you save for 15 months, you could contribute $1,500 to your wedding expenses.
• You can also consider using large chunks of money from a bonus or tax refund. 

The benefit of using personal savings is that it minimizes debt. You won’t have to worry about interest payments after the honeymoon ends. 

2. Contributions From Family

Brides and grooms often get help from family members to pay for some or all of the wedding costs. Depending on your relationship with your family, it can be a helpful and generous gift that alleviates financial pressure. 

Clear communication about expectations is essential to avoid misunderstandings. If you take the money, make sure to ask your family about potential stipulations. 

3. Wedding Loans and Personal Loans

Some people use personal loans to pay for wedding expenses. You can use personal loans for nearly any expense, including weddings. The loans usually have fixed interest rates and consistent monthly payments. 

Loans provide quick access to money, but it can be expensive to borrow money.

Here’s an example:

• You get a $10,000 loan with a 6% interest rate and a 60-month repayment term.
• Your monthly payment would be $193.33.
• In total, you would pay $1,599.68 towards interest. 

4. Credit Cards

You can use credit cards to make deposits, pay vendors and earn rewards points. Some couples strategically use credit cards to earn travel points and pay for their honeymoon.

Credit cards can be a risky way to pay for a wedding if you’re not careful. The interest rates are high, and costs can add up quickly if you don’t pay off the balance soon. 

5. Side Hustles and Extra Income

Some people start side hustles to earn extra income during wedding planning. A few popular side hustles include:

• Selling used items
• Becoming a rideshare driver
• Taking a virtual customer service role

For most people, side gigs are in addition to a full-time job. You might work on the weekend, after work or early morning. 

Extra income can help you pay for your wedding without additional debt. The only downside is that you might experience burnout and overwhelm, especially if you’re working full-time and planning a wedding. 

6. Wedding-Specific Savings Accounts

You could also open a wedding-specific savings account and add money over the years. Having a separate high-yield savings account makes it easier to track your progress, work towards a shared goal and avoid dipping into your emergency fund. 

You can also start saving early. For example, you might start saving before you’re engaged. The sooner you can start, the better. 

7. Cutting Costs and Budget-Friendly Options

But how do people pay for weddings without extra income, debt or family help? The answer is cutting costs.

Here are some simple ways you can lower the price of a wedding:

• Create DIY decorations and flowers.
• Reduce the guest list.
• Select an off-season date.
• Plan a non-traditional wedding.
• Ask friends and family for practical help.

Pros and Cons of Different Wedding Payment Methods

No matter how you pay for your wedding, each option has pros and cons. Here’s what to consider as you decide how to pay for a wedding — the good and the bad. 

Average Cost of a Wedding

The average wedding costs $33,000, but you can spend a lot more or less depending on different aspects of your big day. If you want to save money, you can make strategic decisions about the venue, catering, photography and more. 

The following wedding expenses have a significant impact on your total price tag. 

• Venue:
  • Your venue is where the wedding takes place. You can spend anywhere from $0 to have your wedding in a family member’s backyard or $30,000 for an all-inclusive luxury location.
  • For most people, the venue is one of the largest expenses.
  • It’s also one of the easiest ways to cut costs if you want to save money.
  • You can consider parks, public areas or private property owned by friends for cheaper options.  
• Catering:
  • Catering is the food you serve at your wedding.
  • You could opt for home-cooked food for a small party, a food truck to serve hundreds, a buffet-style meal or a multi-course dinner.
  • There’s a wide range of options for different budgets. 
• Attire:
  • Brides spend an average of $2,100 on a wedding dress, while grooms spend an average of $320.
  • The cost of attire can add up, but there are ways to save.
  • Consider renting clothes, shopping sales or buying used. 
• Photography:
  • Photography can include both photos and video.
  • The average couple spends nearly $3,000 hiring a photographer.
  • It’s a high price tag but a top priority at most weddings.
• Entertainment:
  • Couples often hire a DJ, photo booth or other entertainment for their guests.
  • Experiential features like bartenders and painters are also becoming more popular. 

Where Wedding Costs Can Add Up

Your wedding choices directly affect the total cost. To save money, focus on these key areas.

• Location: Your location is one of the most significant parts of your wedding. Destination weddings cost more than local events. But even if you stay local, you can spend anywhere from $0 to $50,000 on the location.
• Guest count: The more guests you have, the more your wedding will cost. Most venues charge per guest for food and other aspects of the wedding, and you might also have guest count minimums at venues. 
• Level of luxury: The type of wedding you plan — casual, black tie, cocktail attire — impacts the total cost. More luxurious weddings cost more money. 

How To Plan a Wedding Without Overspending

Here’s the deal — how to pay for a wedding is personal. It depends on your budget, vision, guest count and more. But regardless of your budget, the following steps can help you stick to the plan without overspending.

Step 1: Figure Out Your Budget

Start with your overall budget and work backward. Once you know the amount you can spend, you can start planning for your big day and making cuts as necessary. Break down the expenses and try to budget for every category. 

Step 2: Determine What’s Nonnegotiable

Be honest with yourself and your future spouse about your wedding must-haves. Maybe you’ve always envisioned dancing until the early morning, and a DJ is nonnegotiable. Or perhaps you can skip the DJ, but you want high-quality photos you can look back on for years. 

Step 3: Gather Quotes and Negotiate

Different vendors charge different fees, so it’s important to get a few quotes before making a decision. You can also try to negotiate or ask about cheaper packages. 

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Way to Pay for a Wedding?

The best way to pay for a wedding depends on your finances, savings and comfort with debt. You can use various strategies to make your big day fun and affordable. Save as much as you can, cut unnecessary costs and don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help — many people have skills or expertise they can give or donate.

Even though your wedding day is a big deal, you don’t want to be paying for it for a decade. Try to be strategic about making it work and avoiding high-interest debt. 

Data is accurate as of March 26, 2025, and is subject to change.

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