Using credit cards to pay for a wedding: Smart strategy or debt trap?

Weddings have always been symbolic events, full of hope, promise, and joy. But in recent years, they’ve also become high-stakes financial undertakings. As the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. climbs toward $36,000, many couples are asking an increasingly common question: should we use credit cards to pay for the big day?

A growing number of engaged and newlywed couples are saying yes. Some see credit cards as a strategic tool for maximizing rewards, while others turn to credit simply to make ends meet. But like most tools in personal finance, how you use them makes all the difference. Used responsibly, credit cards can help couples get more value out of their spending. Misused, they can saddle a new marriage with stress, resentment, and high-interest debt.

Before swiping your way down the aisle, it’s worth understanding what the data says, what experts recommend, and what risks are too big to ignore.

The sticker shock is real. According to Zola’s 2025 survey of 6,000 engaged couples, the average wedding this year is expected to cost $36,000. That’s up from $33,000 in 2024 and $29,000 in 2023—a sharp jump that outpaces general inflation.

Why the rising costs? Part of it is a return to larger, more elaborate celebrations after pandemic-era disruptions. But it’s also driven by vendor price increases, more competitive venues, and shifting cultural expectations. Today’s weddings often span multiple days, involve destination travel, or include personalized experiences like welcome parties, custom menus, and curated décor.

All of this adds up quickly. Even couples who begin with a modest vision often find themselves expanding their budget after seeing real quotes from florists, photographers, or venues. For many, the problem isn’t that they haven’t saved—it’s that their savings don’t stretch as far as expected. That’s when credit cards enter the picture.

In a LendingTree survey conducted in March 2025, 46% of newlyweds said they paid for their wedding primarily with savings. But 24% used credit cards to cover major costs, and an additional 22% said they used a mix of both. That means nearly half of couples used some form of credit to pay for their wedding.

The numbers are even higher for couples still in the planning phase. In Zola’s 2025 survey, 31% of engaged couples said they plan to use credit cards—either directly for payments or to earn rewards like travel points and cashback. Some even apply for new credit cards specifically to take advantage of large welcome bonuses timed to coincide with wedding expenses.

That logic is compelling. Spend $4,000 on wedding deposits and earn a $500 travel reward? It sounds like smart budgeting. But it only works if the couple has the cash to pay that balance off in full. Otherwise, the math unravels.

Used correctly, a credit card can be a powerful financial tool. If you already have the savings to cover wedding costs, channeling those expenses through a rewards credit card—and paying off the balance immediately—can help you earn meaningful perks.

Some cards offer 1.5% to 2% cashback on all purchases, which adds up quickly on big-ticket items like catering or venue deposits. Others offer airline miles or hotel points that can be used for honeymoon travel. And if you time it right, signing up for a new card with a large spending bonus can generate hundreds of dollars in value.

For example, a couple might open a card that offers 60,000 airline miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Between attire, decorations, vendor deposits, and travel, that spend threshold is often within reach. By immediately paying the balance with savings, they avoid interest charges while walking away with a free flight or hotel stay.

Credit cards also offer other advantages. Federal law gives cardholders the right to dispute fraudulent or unsatisfactory charges, and many premium cards include purchase protection and extended warranties. If a vendor cancels or an item is defective, having paid with a credit card can improve your chances of getting your money back.

But this strategy is not without risk—and it’s not a justification to spend more than you planned.

While rewards can be enticing, the cost of credit card debt is real—and climbing. LendingTree found that the average APR on new credit cards in 2025 is 24.35%, the highest rate recorded since December 2023. And unlike a mortgage or student loan, this interest compounds daily.

Let’s say a couple charges $8,000 for their wedding and pays it off over 12 months. With a 24.35% APR, they’ll pay over $900 in interest—essentially the price of a honeymoon add-on or another wedding vendor entirely.

More troubling, 24% of newlyweds who took on wedding debt say they’re still paying it off two years later. That lingering debt can interfere with major life plans like buying a home, starting a family, or saving for retirement. It can also create tension in a marriage, especially if one partner feels pressured or misled about financial priorities.

According to Bankrate’s Ted Rossman, the biggest mistake couples make is assuming they’ll pay off the debt “later.” But if later never comes—or if a job loss or emergency slows repayment—interest charges can spiral quickly.

The golden rule: never borrow for a short-term event without a long-term repayment plan.

Even if you intend to use a credit card for your wedding, not every vendor will accept it—or do so without added cost. Some vendors, especially smaller or boutique ones, accept only checks or bank transfers. Others may accept cards but charge a processing fee to cover merchant costs. These surcharges typically range from 1.5% to 3.5%, depending on the payment processor and vendor policy.

A 3% fee on a $5,000 venue deposit is $150—enough to cover table favors or an upgraded cake tier. If your goal is to earn rewards, those fees might outweigh the benefits.

It’s also worth asking vendors if they offer discounts for cash payments. Some small businesses prefer to avoid card fees and are willing to reduce their price in exchange for direct transfers.

As always, communication matters. Before assuming you can use a card, confirm with the vendor, read the contract carefully, and consider whether any extra charges make financial sense for your overall plan.

Credit card protections are often overstated in wedding planning circles. Yes, cards can help you dispute charges, trigger refunds, or receive purchase protections for damaged goods. But they don’t replace broader forms of risk coverage—especially for complex, high-value events.

For instance, if your venue cancels a week before the wedding due to storm damage or bankruptcy, your credit card might not cover the lost deposit. If your DJ never shows or your wedding dress gets ruined in transit, you may have little recourse beyond whatever refund the vendor offers.

Many protections also come with strict limits and timeframes—such as a 90-day claim window, or a maximum reimbursement of $1,000 per item. For the kind of investment weddings represent, that’s often not enough. This is where wedding insurance becomes essential.

Wedding insurance may sound like a luxury, but it’s often the only real financial safeguard for major losses tied to the event. There are two main types of coverage: liability insurance, which protects against accidents or injuries during the event, and cancellation/postponement insurance, which reimburses you for non-refundable costs if something forces you to delay or cancel the wedding.

Policies vary, but coverage often includes weather-related disruptions, vendor no-shows, theft, illness, or military deployment. Some insurers also offer add-ons like coverage for lost wedding attire, damaged rings, or ruined photos.

According to NerdWallet, wedding insurance can cost as little as $100 or as much as $1,000 depending on the size and complexity of the event. For a $36,000 wedding, even a $300 policy can be a wise investment—especially given the lack of protection from credit card issuers for large-scale disruptions.

Think of it this way: credit card protections are for individual transactions. Wedding insurance protects the event as a whole.

If you're considering credit cards as part of your wedding budget, here’s how to approach it with clarity, not just optimism:

First, separate what you can afford from what you can technically charge. Your credit limit isn’t your wedding budget. Build your plan based on actual savings, not future income or vague repayment intentions.

Second, if you're pursuing credit card rewards, treat it like a game of precision. Open the right card, time your spending to hit the bonus threshold, and pay the balance immediately. Track everything. Rewards are only valuable if they’re “free”—not if they come with a 24% interest tag.

Third, don’t chase luxury with debt. A beautiful wedding is meaningful, but not if it compromises your ability to build a secure financial foundation together. Remember: vendors are used to working within budgets. Be honest about yours, and you'll likely find creative ways to get what you want without overspending.

And finally, discuss your financial strategy as a couple. How you handle money now sets the tone for your marriage. Start with teamwork—not silence or blame—especially when it comes to debt.

Weddings are emotional events. Financial decisions, however, should remain clear-headed. Using credit cards to pay for wedding expenses can be a clever strategy if paired with discipline, planning, and transparency. But for couples without a repayment plan or emergency buffer, it’s a fast track to stress, not celebration.

Instead of asking whether you can afford it today, ask whether you’ll still be glad you did it six months from now. If the answer is yes, then you’re likely making the right call—not just for your wedding, but for your future together.