Planning for a wedding is an exciting experience, but it can also be stressful as you navigate the many expenses involved. Figuring out how to pay for a wedding could be just as important as choosing the right clothes or venue.

Before you start planning your wedding, your first thought may be: how much does a wedding cost? On average, a wedding in 2026 costs $36,000.

These days, couples enjoy a wide range of ceremonies and celebrations—from traditional weddings and city hall vow exchanges to private gatherings, destination weddings, and elopements. While location plays a role, many other factors can affect the overall price of a wedding.

Whether you’re planning a large celebration or a small gathering, it’s a good idea to plan early and think about your options. From saving to borrowing money, there are many ways to pay for a wedding without going over budget. 

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How much should you budget for a wedding?

Before figuring out how to pay, a good first step is to create a budget. To begin, you will want to understand the average cost of a wedding. In 2026, the average wedding costs $36,000.

Your own wedding costs, however, may differ based on many factors. These can include the location, guest list, size of the celebration, and time of year. The number and types of vendors and services you choose are among the elements that will have the largest impact.

Try to estimate what you might spend based on your needs. From there, you can figure out a budget that works for you. Broadly speaking, there are three categories of planning when you create a wedding-cost breakdown: before, during, and after your wedding. 

Pre-wedding

These are a few averages of several expenses you may have before the wedding day accompanied by the average costs of each. Keep in mind that there are a variety of ways you could save on pre-wedding expenses. One example is to borrow a wedding dress, buy one from a consignment shop, or choose a gown not labeled “wedding.” The groom could also choose to wear less formal attire than a tux.

  • Engagement ring: $5,200
  • Wedding planner: $4,047
  • Save-the-dates & invitations: $500
  • Wedding dress & alterations: $2,550
  • Wedding tux rental: $225
  • Bridal shower: $50–$150 per person
  • Bachelor: $1,400 per person
  • Bachelorette party: $1300 per person

Ceremony and reception

The ceremony and reception will both come with their own costs. While it’s easy for these costs to add up, think about the elements that matter most to you. For the ceremony, everything but the officiant and venue might be considered optional.

Ceremony

  • Rehearsal dinner: $2,700
  • Venue: $8,573
  • Officiant: $325
  • Photographer: $4,400
  • Videographer: $3,993
  • Flowers & decor: $6,345
  • Hair & makeup: $982

Reception

  • Catering: $6,927
  • Drinks: $5,542
  • Music: $1,567
  • Wedding cake: $917
  • Party favors: $2–$8 per guest
  • Photo booth: $551 (three-hour package)
  • Transportation: $1,075

Many of these items can be scaled to fit your budget. Choosing a DJ over a live band can reduce costs. You might even opt for cupcakes or a sheet cake instead of a tiered cake, or you might rent a photo booth instead of using a photographer. To lower the cost, you could also consider hosting your wedding on a weekday or a Sunday afternoon. This may help make your overall wedding cost more manageable.

Honeymoon

You don’t want to forget the days after the ceremony. Although not part of the wedding itself, it’s good to factor in the cost of a honeymoon. In 2026, the average honeymoon cost was $5,300 and lasted about seven days, according to Zola. Depending on what you want and can afford, this might range from the price of a staycation to a dream trip abroad.

To help save money on travel, you might consider delaying the honeymoon until a time of year when flights and hotels are less expensive. Or, instead of wedding gifts you might ask wedding guests to contribute toward your honeymoon fund. 

How can your wedding location impact your budget? 

The average wedding cost can vary greatly depending on the location of the event. Location affects everything from venue rates to vendor availability. 

More expensive regions in the U.S.

Weddings are typically more expensive in the New England and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. The average cost of weddings in both areas exceeds $46,000. Some hot spots in these parts of the country include Manhattan and Newport, Rhode Island, as well as Maine, the New Jersey Shore, and the Maryland coast. 

Average cost by state

Beyond regional price differences, the average wedding cost can vary from state to state. For example, a 150-guest wedding may cost around $84,649 in California, while the same wedding costs around $42,571 in Wisconsin. It’s important to look at prices specifically in the city and state you’re hosting your wedding to determine the correct budget. 

Less expensive regions in the U.S.

If you’re planning to get married in the Southeast, West, or Midwest, you can expect your wedding to cost less. The average price in these regions ranges from about $29,000 to $31,300. Prices across these diverse regions will vary. Some of the most popular wedding locations include Florida and Napa Valley. 

Destination weddings

If you really want to splurge, planning your wedding at a destination away from home is an attractive option. The range of costs for this is as varied as your imagination. If you’re flexible on location, adjusting where you get married could be a smart way to keep the cost down.

How does the time of year affect the cost of your wedding?

While June remains a popular month to get married, wedding season is generally considered as running from late spring through early fall. This can have a big impact on how much you pay for your celebration.

Typically, July to September is the most expensive time of year, with average wedding costs exceeding $34,000. Planning weddings at other times could save thousands of dollars for both you and your guests.

How does the number of guests affect your wedding budget?

If you’re looking to limit the cost of your wedding, a good place to start might be paring the size of your guest list. This may be hard, but inviting fewer people can help you save money. Some couples choose to elope and have few or no guests at all.

Couples who plan a wedding with 51 to 100 guests will, on average, pay around $27,200. For a wedding with over 100 guests, the average cost can be around $43,300.

What are some other ways to save on wedding costs?

Besides reducing your guest list, there are many other ways you might save money on your wedding. For example, you may choose to purchase flowers at a wholesale store and put bouquets together yourself.

Other ways to save money might include serving fewer hors d’oeuvres, limiting the bar to beer and wine, or sending save-the-dates and invitations by email instead of printing them.

Taking care of many of the wedding arrangements yourself may also help save money. If the reception venue allows, you might provide your own alcohol. Or you could cater your own party, hire a food truck, or have a cocktail party instead of a sit-down meal. 

What are some unexpected wedding costs?

Even with all the planning, it’s helpful to be prepared for unexpected or overlooked costs that might arise. There are “hidden” expenses that can quickly add up and throw off your budget if you don’t leave a margin.

Additional expenses might include surcharges for hiring vendors that are not on your venue’s preferred list or additional fees for early or late access. Be aware that the price might also increase for each added employee assigned to work the reception.

Who pays for a wedding?

Some people are able to turn to parents or other relatives to help cover the cost of their wedding. In 2025 parents, on average, covered 51% of the costs for their children’s weddings.

Be aware that if your family gives you money, they might also want to help make decisions about things like the venue, guest list, food, and more. If you would like your parents or other relatives to help pay, it’s smart to have an honest talk early to set clear expectations.

How do people pay for weddings?

If you are contributing or fully funding your own wedding, you’ll need to think about how to pay for it. This decision may have long-term effects on your finances, so it’s important to make a smart choice for your financial future.

Keep in mind that the topic might go beyond just the cost of the wedding. Talking with your partner about wedding expenses is a good opportunity to discuss how you plan to combine your finances and what your long-term financial goals are for your future as a couple.

There are several options you might consider as you plan how to pay for your wedding.

Take advantage of your savings

If you have enough money in savings, you could use it to cover the cost of your wedding. Or you could establish a dedicated fund well in advance of your wedding date and save money over time.

One benefit of using your savings is that it may help you avoid spending more on your wedding than you can afford. This option has several advantages, but it might not be available to many couples.

Use a credit card

If you’re wondering how to pay for a wedding with no savings, one option you might consider is placing some or all of the expenses on a credit card.

The precise amount you can spend on your credit card will depend on your credit limit and the balance you are currently carrying on the card. If you use a credit card, it’s also important to know that you’re adding to your revolving debt. This may lead to an increase in the amount of interest you pay, so your well-planned wedding might cost you more than you intended over the life of the loan.

Utilize a payment plan

Some vendors and wedding venues offer payment plan programs. While vendors typically require final payment before the wedding day, wedding venue payment plans are much more popular. These payment plans often break the cost into two to five spread out installments. 

Consider a personal loan

For many couples, a personal loan for their wedding may be a smart financial decision. A personal loan is an installment loan that provides funds for you to use in almost any way you choose. Funds can be applied to the cost of an engagement ring, the ceremony, catering, a live band for your reception, and more—even a skydiving experience on your honeymoon, if that’s on your list.

Personal loans also feature a fixed interest rate with one set regular monthly payment, so you are able to create a predictable budget. Additionally, you might save money on interest when compared to a variable-rate, revolving line of credit.

Do you need additional funds?

Once all your planning is complete, the most important thing is to enjoy the celebration and the start of your new life together. With a clear payment plan and thoughtful decisions, your wedding day can reflect both your values and financial goals.

A crucial part of the process is having open conversations about who is contributing to which expenses. This way, it’s easier to handle everyone’s expectations, stay on budget, and have a wedding that everyone can enjoy and remember.

If you find that extra funds would help, you might want to explore the option of a personal loan for wedding expenses. This kind of loan can be used for any aspect of your wedding—before, during, or after. Plus, as an installment loan, you’ll know when your loan is due to be paid off. The flexibility, combined with predictability, may make a personal loan just right for couples starting a new financial life together.

At Discover® Personal Loans, you and your future spouse can design your loan around your financial situation and pick a repayment term from options offered to fit your budget. Compared to a credit card, you might be able to manage your loan more easily with predictable payments and a defined payoff day.

To learn more, you can use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments based on the loan amount, your credit score, and the repayment term that you choose.

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