What is the best way to fund a wedding?

Key takeaways

• The average cost of a wedding was £21,990 in 2025, data from wedding planners Hitched revealed.

• Couples should consider their financial situation, overall wedding budget, and credit score when choosing the best method to fund their wedding.

• The cost of your wedding will also depend on how many guests you have, the date, and what extras you include such as wedding favours, food and drinks.

How much will a wedding cost me?

In 2025, the average cost of the big day was £21,990, according to the wedding planning company, Hitched. This works out at £272 per guest.

This included the cost of the venue, food, outfits, décor, photography, entertainment, stationery, and transport but excluded the honeymoon.

Data from Hitched also showed that most couples use personal savings to cover the cost of the wedding day, but many also receive help from parents and some used credit cards or personal loans.

Weddings in London were the most expensive on average, at £24,662, while those in Scotland were the cheapest, at £22,123 on average.

Whichever way you look at it then, weddings are an expensive business. So you'll want to save money where you can to fund your special day.

What factors influence wedding costs?

When it comes to wedding planning, the price tag can vary widely. Factors such as the date, the location, and the attire all play a significant role in the wedding budget. However, whatever you have in mind, from a traditional wedding to wedding abroad, there are lots of ways to cut cots to keep your wedding budget under control.

Opting for a summer wedding, or a Saturday, for example, might set you back more than if you were to say 'I do' in the winter months or during the week.

The guest list will also impact your overall wedding budget and the more people you invite, the more money you’ll usually have to shell out. However there are lots of ways to cut costs, from having a smaller guest list to skipping a sit-down meal, and you can still have you dream wedding without it hitting your bank account too severely.

Using savings for your wedding

If you've got money set aside, using your savings to pay for your wedding is usually the cheapest option because you won’t be charged any interest for borrowing.

If your wedding is many months or years away, you can even use the time to come up with a wedding budget – so you have enough money to save without needing to borrow. While the money is in a savings account, it will earn interest so always look for an account paying the highest interest rates possible.

Combining your savings with your partner in a joint savings account could also help reach your savings goal quicker, as well as doubling up your cash.

Although using savings to pay for your wedding day means you won’t get into debt or pay interest, there are some things to bear in mind:

• If you're saving for another big expense, such as a house deposit, it may be better to keep your savings intact

• If you have the option to borrow interest-free, it might be more beneficial to let your savings earn interest

Can I use a credit card to fund a wedding?

Yes, you can use your credit card to fund your wedding. There are different types of credit cards on the market, and some are more suitable than others for borrowing money for a wedding.

The major advantage of using a credit card is the consumer protection offered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

This means any purchase you make which costs between £100 and £30,000 is protected, and you could get your money back from your card provider if something goes wrong. If, for example, you wedding dress goes missing or there’s a fire at the venue, you may be able to use this protection to claim back any money you’ve already spent.

However, depending on the credit card, you may have to pay interest.

Rewards credit cards

Used by savvy shoppers, rewards credit cards reward you for everyday spending. With a rewards credit card, you can earn cashback, Airmiles, vouchers, or other interest-free perks.

You could, for example, use these rewards to pay for a honeymoon.

However, you need to pay the balance each month to avoid interest charges that could outweigh the benefits and potentially harm your credit score.

0% interest purchase credit cards

A 0% APR purchase credit card is a type of interest-free credit card. These cards allow you to make significant purchases without having to pay any interest for a set amount of time – sometimes up to two years or longer.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider:

• It can be hard to be accepted for this type of credit card if you don’t have a good credit score.

• The credit limit you’re offered might not cover your total wedding budget.

• If you don’t manage to pay off your credit card balance before the 0% period is over, you’ll be charged interest on your remaining balance every month, which can prolong your debt.

Taking out a loan for your wedding

Wedding loans are usually unsecured personal loans. These loans have a fixed rate of interest, and you agree to pay back your debt, plus the interest, over a set term.

As with all types of personal loans, the higher your credit score – the cheaper your wedding loan is likely to be. However, there are potential downsides:

• MoneySuperMarket customers borrow £8000^{^} on average to finance, or part-finance, a wedding.

• Missing repayments will negatively affect your credit rating, which will make it harder to borrow in the future.

• Early repayment charges can also be expensive if you want to pay off your wedding loan before the term is over.

Using an overdraft to fund a wedding

Overdrafts are a feature of most current accounts, allowing you to spend an agreed amount above what you have in your account.

However, due to their high-interest fees and the limited amount of money they offer compared to personal loans, they are not suitable for long-term wedding financing.

Borrowing from friends and family

Weddings are special events that often involve different generations of families, so borrowing from loved ones can sometimes be an option.

Depending on your relationship, borrowing from family and friends could even be interest-free and therefore cheaper than a traditional credit agreement.

It’s important to remember that borrowing from your nearest and dearest could put a strain on your relationship, especially if repayment is delayed or not fulfilled.

Compare loans with MoneySuperMarket

MoneySuperMarket is here to assist in finding loans from UK providers without affecting your credit scores. It shows the likelihood of loan acceptance, allowing you to apply with confidence.

Remember, MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker and does not charge customers for its service. It earns fees from lenders, but this does not influence how products are presented to customers.

MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. We never take a fee from customers for this broking service. Instead, we are usually paid a fee by the lenders – though the size of that payment doesn’t affect how we show products to customers.

More loan guides:

• What is an unsecured loan?

• Soft and hard credit checks

• How to get a loan

• Can I pay a loan off early?