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In 2025, couples aren’t waiting for fairy-tale budgets to begin their happily ever afters. With inflation still weighing on everyday expenses, from groceries to rent, many engaged couples are approaching weddings with a sharper financial lens.
This involves trimming excess expenses and allocating savings toward what matters most on the big day. To ease the decision making that comes ahead of tying the knot, a financial toolkit of high-yield savings accounts, rewards credit cards and personal loans can ensure your day is exactly how you pictured it would be, without setting you back financially.
Wedding Money Hacks: Save or Borrow Smart
Financially savvy couples know that before choosing a dress or booking a venue, the first step is setting up a high-yield savings account—or scouting for credit cards with top rewards—to stay ahead of wedding expenses. With the average wedding costing around $36,000, according to Zola, managing a budget can quickly become a major source of stress.
Separating wedding funds from your everyday checking account helps keep spending on track. The added interest earnings can also provide a helpful boost when the bills start to trickle in.
Say you and your partner each save $500 a month for two years; you’ll save $24,000. Stashing that money in a high-yield savings account with a 4.00% APY could grow your total to around $25,000—about $1,000 in interest earned, assuming no additional contributions. That interest won’t cover all your expenses, but it could stretch your budget to invite a few more guests or reserve the photo booth you wanted. Plus, making monthly deposits means your money’s less likely to get spent elsewhere.
Still, with rising costs and economic uncertainty, many couples find that saving alone isn’t enough to cover their wedding expenses. The Knot reveals that around 85% of couples planning a wedding in 2025 say today’s economy has influenced their decisions, prompting changes like cutting down the guest list.
High-yield savings accounts can help, but making monthly deposits isn’t always feasible. For couples requiring more immediate access to funds, personal loans are an option.
Personal loans can be advantageous in this economy since they typically come with lower interest rates than credit cards. Many require fixed monthly payments, which can also help couples easily stick to a budget.
When evaluating the best personal loan option for you and your partner, take time to shop around. Different lenders offer varying interest rates and terms, so it’s important to choose a loan with monthly payments that realistically fit within your budget.
Smart Spending Starts With Structure
Aside from using a high-yield savings account or taking out a personal loan, leveraging a credit card for your wedding expenses can also be an option. Although this idea might sound risky, it can be a money-saving move if you’re strategic.
A generous welcome bonus on a 0% intro APR card or travel rewards card can help offset expenses like flights, hotel blocks or vendor deposits. In some cases, your wedding expenses may even cover your honeymoon.
Take the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, which offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
After opening this card, you may find it easy to meet the welcome offer spending threshold with your wedding expenses. Once you do, you’ll earn enough points for a hotel stay or other redemption.
Alternatively, you can transfer those points to Chase’s travel partners for potentially greater value per point. Either way, the rewards can give you extra cash toward wedding-day purchases or help cover honeymoon and travel expenses with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
It’s important to remember to pay off your credit card balance in full and on time every month to avoid paying interest and late fees. If you fall into paying interest month-over-month, this expense outweighs the value of any rewards you’re earning.
Some cards even offer statement credits for travel or dining, making them ideal for planning a honeymoon. For example, the American Express® Gold Card provides two $50 Resy credits annually, allowing cardholders to earn up to $100 simply by making reservations through Resy (enrollment required) (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
Bottom Line
Planning a wedding on a budget isn’t just about saving money—it impacts a couple’s decision making behind the whole celebration. By using smart savings options, maximizing credit card rewards or even using personal loans for short-term financing, couples are proving weddings can be both affordable and unforgettable.
To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.